| STL-1A | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Vietnam |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Vietnam |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2015 |
| Manufacturer | Z111 Factory |
| Produced | 2015 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)[1] |
| Length | 940 mm (37 in)[1] |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in)[1] |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Caliber | 7.62 |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300 m (330 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | 800 m (870 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round magazines |
| Sights | STL-1B has picatinny rails for attachment of various scopes |
 |
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The STL-1A (or also called the STL-A1)[2] rifle is an assault rifle made in Vietnam. As a product of the Z111 Factory, it is wholly an upgrade version for the AKM rifle, but is commonly compared to an AK-103.[3] The rifle is chambered in 7.62x39mm.[3]
The prototype of the STL-1A was converted from a 1972-built Soviet AKM rifle.[4] Introduced as a technology demonstrator, STL-1A and its variants were never seen enter mass production and issued by the Vietnam People's Army, while as of 2023, its successor STV rifle has already been chosen as the service rifle for the Vietnamese security forces.
It was originally announced in 2015 that the Z111 Factory would begin producing STL-1A rifles[5] in an occasion to celebrate Vietnamese National Day for Vietnamese defense industry accomplishments.[6] As the STL-1A is based on the older AKM rifles, the factory would convert AKMs and its variants into the new STL-1A rifles. The factory also has the ability to produce these new rifles from scratch.
At the Indo Defence Expo 2018 event, a new variant which combined the STL-1A and the Galil ACE was announced under the name GK3.[7][8]
As of recent, it is assumed that the STL-1A will never enter serial production. Due to the more recent creation of the STV Rifles and their adoption as the new standard issued service rifle, it is likely the Z111 Factory has prioritized production of those over the development of the STL-1A, which stays at its technology demonstrator status.[9]
Although the rifle itself is an upgrad of the AKM that highly resembles a Vietnamese version of an AK-103,[3] it's upgraded in many areas such as new polymer handguards, folding stock, a new ergonomic pistol grip and muzzle brake based on the AK-74 with side-mounted rails to attach scopes.[10][3]
A suppressor and an M203 underbarrel grenade launcher can be attached to the STL-1A.[10]
A version of the STL-1A with picatinny rails.[3]
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| Primary rifles |
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| Assault and battle rifles |
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| Sniper rifles |
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| Special purpose |
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