Notes: MagPul has long been known in the firearms world for their excellent add-ons to existing weapons, particularly their stocks for various weapons (most notably better sliding stocks for the AR-15/M-16/M-4 series than the issue stocks). Their accessories are in widespread use around the world, by civilians, military, and police forces. It is only recently, however, that MagPul is attempting to enter the market with a complete firearm (or more like a firearm system), called the Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS). First shown at the 2007 SHOT Show, the Masada is in its final stages of development and testing and expected to be available in early 2008. Civilian and military versions are anticipated.

The Masada has been designed to be a modular system, with the capability to use several barrel lengths and calibers with a minimum of modification. Currently, MagPul intends to have 5.56mm NATO, 6.8mm SPC, and 7.62mm Kalashnikov as chamberings, with barrels of 10.5, 11.5, 14.5, 16, 18, and 20 inches. Most versions are equipped with stocks that fold to the right side, but sliding stocks are also possible, as well as any number of other stocks that MagPul makes (whether fixed, folding, sliding, or collapsible). The 20-inch barrel version is intended to be a designated marksman’s weapon, and has a heavier match-quality barrel. Muzzles may be tipped by flash suppressors or muzzle brakes, or (for civilian use) no attachment. It is possible that MagPul will equip the Masada with threaded muzzles to allow changing of muzzle devices or use of a suppressor. The stocks envisioned for the Masada are generally equipped with a recoil pad on the butt.

Operation and design of the Masada is a curious amalgamation of modified forms of several other assault rifles. The gas system is derived from that of the AR-18, the upper receiver and charging system are reminiscent of the FN SCAR, and the trigger unit is derived from the G-3 and the M-16. Construction of the exterior is largely of high-strength polymer, while most of the metalwork is of high-grade steel or (in the case of the upper receiver) 7000-series aluminum. The barrels, and bolts are designed to be easily removed and exchanged (as well as a magazine well adapter for the 7.62mm Kalashnikov version), but are not intended to be changed in caliber by the user. The Masada has a gas regulator to allow it to cope with fouling and dirt with prolonged use (but does not change the ROF in game terms). 5.56mm NATO versions are designed to use M-16 magazines, and 7.62mm Kalashnikov versions to use Kalashnikov magazines, but the primary magazines are intended to be high-strength polymer magazines with follower springs designed to allow the magazines to be stored loaded for long periods of time (called "Polymags" by MagPul). The stocks and the pistol grip have compartments to allow the stowage of various small items as well as a cleaning kit. The upper receiver is topped by a MIL-STD-1913 rail which runs to the end of the handguard, with a flip-up post front sight post adjustable for windage and elevation. Though intended for use with optics of various sorts, a conventional rear sight unit may also be attached to the Masada’s MIL-STD-1913 rail. Another, shorter MIL-STD-1913 rail is located under the handguards, and even shorter ones are on either side of the front of the handguards.

As the Masada is still being developed, much of the final features are still up in the air, but it looks to be a promising weapon.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Masada does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Notes: This weapon was designed as a private venture by Military Manufacturing (not actually affiliated with the US military), but was quickly picked up by a number of agencies in the US, such as the Secret Service, US Customs, and particularly firms providing bodyguard services to executives and celebrities. It is basically an M-16 assault rifle with a radically-cut-down barrel; the M-16X uses a 105.2mm barrel, the M-16C a 152.4mm barrel, and the M-16S a 213mm barrel. A shoulder harness was also manufactured for concealed carry, and despite its small size, the muzzle brake on the weapon is very effective. The handguard doubles as a weight to help fight barrel climb.

Notes: One of the "holy grails" of US special operations troops is a weapon which can use a number of different rounds, both domestic and enemy, without having to carry around a huge amount of replacement parts for the weapon (or worse, having to carry around several different weapons). Mack Gwynn Sr and Mack Gwynn Jr, both retired US Special Forces troops, have been working on this problem for a long time; Mack Gwynn Sr, in particular, has been working on it since his time in Vietnam. The result of all this research and work has been the Hydra carbine.

The Gwynns began with the M-4A1 as a base; however, the changes in the M-4A1 they made are quite radical and fundamental. The first change is the quick-change barrels for the different calibers able to be fired (currently 7, hence the name "Hydra", though more are planned – primarily the 7.62mm NATO and 7.62mm Nagant). The Hydra also uses two interchangeable bolt-carrier groups, one for 5.56mm NATO and rimfire rounds, and one for everything else. As a by-product, the system also allows the user to clean his weapon far more easily than a standard M-4 series weapon. The entire Hydra package is surprisingly light in weight.

The ejection port is enlarged slightly, primarily to allow proper extraction of the .50 Beowulf cartridge. The sights have been redesigned to allow the various chamberings to be accurately aimed. A magazine well adapter is also required for use with 7.62mm Kalashnikov rounds. In some cases, the bolt carrier must be adjusted somewhat, but this is built into the bolt carriers. For the rimfire rounds, a magazine insert must also be used. The barrels come in the standard 14.5 inches for military use; law enforcement and civilian versions are semiautomatic-only and use 16-inch barrels. The barrels are threaded at the muzzle to allow the detachment of the standard military flash suppressors and their replacement by muzzle attachments of the user’s choice (including suppressors and silencers). Military versions use a 3-round burst selective-fire mechanism. The receiver is topped by a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and more are found on the handguards. The Hydra uses a Vltor 5-position sliding stock, which is similar but superior to the standard M-4 sliding stock, but offers an adjustable cheekpiece and a compartment in the rear to accommodate anything up to the size of the standard US military cleaning kit. The sling sold with the Hydra is the Button Sling, but this too can be replaced with a variety of slings. All accessories, barrels, and magazine well adapters lock in solidly and the shooter need not fear that anything will come loose once attached properly.

Note: The weights used here are an estimate; I could not find any solid information on the actual weights as of Feb 07.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Hydra does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

National Ordinance Modified M-1 Carbine

Notes: Introduced in the late 1980s, this modified M-1 Carbine was not made in large numbers by National Ordinance. However, several other companies in the years to follow (Plainfield, Iver Johnson, and others) manufactured this variant, and as such there are quantities of these weapons to be found. It is one of those "experiments" that shooters seem to enjoy.

Twilight 2000 Notes: These weapons were popular, especially late in the Twilight War when the government was handing out lots of 5.56mm NATO ammunition.

Notes: This variant of the AR-15A2 is designed to fire more powerful Winchester Super Short Magnum rounds -- .223, .243, and .25. The lower receiver is the same as a standard AR-15, but the upper receiver, bolt, handguards, and magazines are modified to take the new rounds. The upper receiver is a flattop type, with a MIL-STD-1913 rail to allow it to mount virtually any sort of optics. The barrels are heavy barrels, 24-inches long, target crowned, and designed specifically for these magnum rounds and made from 4140 chrome-molybdenum steel. Though the basic rifle does not come with a bipod, an interface for mounting a Harris-type bipod is included with the rifle. A complaint of the K8-MAG is that the MIL-STD-1913 rail is far enough back on the receiver that the charging handle (a standard AR-15 charging handle) can be difficult to reach under a large scope. Prototypes of this rifle were available as early as late 2003, but production examples were not available until late 2004.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: The US Army and Marines as well as various police forces and mercenaries are using the K8-MAG in combat as sharpshooter’s weapon, or even a faux sniper rifle.