Mexican machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl

Even those people who are not interested in gunshot weapons, can unmistakably name the main machines in service with the armies of Russia, the USA, and Germany. However, in addition to these countries, there are others, maybe not so developed, but armed with their own weapons, which are unknown in wide circles. This uncertainty is explained not at all by the fact that weapons are bad, but by the fact that most people generally have little interest in other countries in general, until they start talking about them in the news... Nevertheless, the establishment of its own production of its own weapons for the country is a clear indicator of development and a very big step forward. So, in 2007, Mexico took such a step.

History create machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl

Before 2007, the Mexican armed forces used the G3 submachine gun, which, although produced in the country under a license, was still not its weapon. Partially used by G36. In 2005, the Mexican Military Industry Authority initiated the development of its own machine gun, chambered for 5,56x45. The development took only one year, and the introduction into the armed forces another year. Thus, in two years, the main weapon of the army was completely replaced, which indicates the seriousness of the approach to the issue.

Needless to say that the creation of your own machine for Mexico is a matter of pride. The fact that the machine gun was introduced on Independence Day of the country (16 of September) gives a good idea of ​​this.

Separately, it should be noted that the main requirement for weapons was the maximum possible use of parts from G3 and G36, since the production of these weapons was already established. In this case, the machine gun had to be fundamentally different from G3 and G36 in everything, so that the German arms company could not make any claims. By the way, they tried to make claims, but after a detailed review of the weapons, no one went to court.

The task before the designers was really difficult, to use a maximum of parts from the old weapon, but at the same time to collect something fundamentally new, easy to learn and manufacture, in a short time to put the weapon in the army. But the Mexican gunsmiths did an excellent job with the task, which proves their level. Do not forget that the weapon’s ammunition was also changed, which also seriously complicated the task.

The result of the work of designers was the adoption of the machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl and the complete replacement of G3 in the army by the end of 2017 year.

The design of the machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl

If we consider the machine gun only from afar and superficially, then it really looks like a copy of German weapons, but it is only outwardly, inside it is a completely different machine gun that has nothing to do with G36.

The machine gun FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (the name of the weapon translated as “Fire Serpent”) has a classic layout and a folding butt without a length adjustment. On both sides of the weapon above the pistol grip is located the switch fuse-translator fire modes. The shutter handle is unscrewed and can be swapped to any convenient side of the machine. Unfortunately, the designers did not realize the possibility of choosing the side for the ejection of spent cartridges, although for the classical layout this possibility is not something important.

On the top of the receiver is a long guide, it is mounted on it removable open sights. In addition, it can also be equipped with a simple optical sight along with a carrying handle, which makes the machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl very similar to the G36.

The folding butt of the machine does not interfere with firing, but it can make it difficult to change the magazine.

The weapon is powered by detachable magazines with a capacity of 30 cartridges. Shops are made of transparent plastic, which allows you to control the amount of ammunition remaining.

The basis for the machine has become an automation system with removal of powder gases from the barrel and a short piston stroke. Locking the barrel when turning on the 3 stop.

Characteristics of the machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl

Despite the widespread use of plastic in the design of weapons, the machine gun is not the easiest by modern standards, its weight without cartridges and the magazine is equal to 3,89 kilograms. The length of the machine with the butt spread out is equal to 1074 millimeters, with a barrel length 480 millimeters. The rate of firing about 750 shots per minute. Shops for weapons only with 30 capacity have neither expanded capacity nor trimmed weapons.

Pros and cons of the machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl

The main advantage of the machine FX-05 Xiuhcoatl is that it is the first mass-produced Mexican weapon of its own design, only for this machine you can forgive a lot. It is important that when developing their weapons, Mexican designers successfully applied the experience of their foreign colleagues, making the machine comfortable and ergonomic. Bilateral weapons, simple, well-developed design, the ability to use various sighting devices all these are positive moments in FX-05 Xiuhcoatl.

The disadvantages of the machine can be attributed to its large weight, the inability to adjust the butt length.

On the basis of this machine, a shortened version of the weapon was developed, in it, by the way, the butt is regulated, a self-loading sniper rifle with a weighted barrel, a light machine gun. That is, Mexican designers have developed not just their own machine gun, but a whole range of weapons, which has quite good potential for further development.

Comments

[Niccola Mack]

If we consider the machine gun only from afar and superficially, then it really looks like a copy of German weapons, but it is only outwardly, inside it is a completely different machine gun that has nothing to do with G36.

Is this for example? The automation system is the same, the locking principle is the same, the implementation of the gas exhaust system is the same - what a difference!

Needless to say, the creation of its own machine for Mexico is a matter of pride.

There is nothing like this!
And the object of pride for Mexicans should be General Manuel Mondragon, who was actually the first in the world to create a successful self-loading rifle - and at that moment Tokarev and Garand were just born.

[Curious]

In English Wikipedia, the moment of litigation with the Germans is covered in more detail, as well as design differences, and indeed, a better article.

[4thParasinok]

[quote = Niccola Mac] General Manuel Mondragon, who was actually the first in the world to create a successful self-loading rifle - and at that moment Tokarev and Garand were just born. [/ quote]
and when did he create it ?, and then: Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev (Born in 1871)
[quote] ... At the Officer Rifle School, Tokarev developed a model of an automatic rifle made by remaking a Mosin rifle. On July 7, 1908, the first test of the rifle took place at the dashboard of the Officer's Skoda Weapons Range [/ Quote]
Vladimir Fedorov was born on May 15, 1874 [Quote]In 1906, V. G. Fedorov designed his first automatic rifle based on a three-line Mosin rifle. ...
... In 1911-1912, a small batch of rifles manufactured at the Sestroretsk plant and known as the "Prototype 1912", passed successful field tests ....
... In September 1916 (after military tests on the Romanian front), the Main Artillery Directorate placed an order with the Sestroretsk plant for the manufacture of 25 thousand automatic machines of the Fedorov system
[/ quote] so in the puddles you sit, in the deep.
The Mandragon rifle was adopted only in 1908 and for 20 years of construction it was never able to make reliable weapons. You can patent anything, but patent and do it are different things that cannot be compared.

[Black_Vatnik]

Weapons culture in Mexico was rich until it began to democratize ... Revive yourself
As far as I remember, the first automatic rifle was designed specifically in Mexico

[Greenell]

One of the first, and even adopted, not only in Mexico, but even in Germany, and all this already 40 years before the CBT and Garanda! Beautiful thing.

[Black_Vatnik]

In the 30-40s, a drum-type store was made to her. Revolutionary weapon.

[4thParasinok]

Quote: GreenHell

One of the first, and even adopted, not only in Mexico, but even in Germany, and all this already 40 years before the CBT and Garanda! Beautiful thing.

1. She came to Germany only because the Germans did not have enough weapons, and they could only buy them in Switzerland, and there was nothing better there. They bought it, and then spat on it, because it turned out to be a cow. Erzatz rifle however ...
2. Well, the Fedorov rifle was developed in 1911, production began in 1916. In terms of combat qualities, it was superior to this kaku.
3. Another date connoisseur. Automatic rifle Fedorov arr. 1913 was adopted in 1916, 8 years later, and not 40. But at the same time it was much more reliable and more accurate (this is the Fedorov assault rifle of 1916, the rifle is slightly different)
And if you don’t know any automatic rifles except the SVT-40 and M-1 Garand, these are just your problems and don’t overwhelm them.

[zombirusrev]

Here is a wave of intelligible material on the history of automatic rifles.
http://www.universalinternetlibrary.ru/book/54990
/read_book.shtml