Notes: The M-96 Expeditionary Rifle is a Stoner 63 assault rifle updated to virtually eliminate the sensitivity to dirt that the Stoner suffered from. Robinson Arms made some changes that improved upon the design; first and foremost of these was a multi-caliber modular magazine well. This allowed the weapon to be able to use either 5.56mm NATO (with M-16 STANAG magazines) or 7.62mm Kalashnikov (with AK magazines). The quick-change barrel was another feature that was appreciated, and both these factors led to steady (though slow) sales for the weapon. The AK-47 and AKM has, in later years, has been produced with 10-round and 60-round box magazines and 100-round drums, and the M-96 is able to use these as well. Civilian versions do not have the capability for automatic fire, and normally do not have a flash suppressor (and cost $6 less). Though based on the Stoner 63 series, the M-96 has been so modified from the original Stoner weapon that the only part that can be interchanged between the Stoner 63 series and the M-96 is the stock.

The standard M-96 can be configured as a standard assault rifle with a 21.5-inch barrel, a carbine with a 16-inch barrel, or a heavy rifle/light SAW with a top-mounted magazine and a 24-inch heavy barrel. (The last configuration is often known as the "Bren Gun" configuration due to the top-mounted magazine.) When the M-96 is configured as a heavy rifle, the receiver is essentially inverted, and the charging handle is on the right; otherwise, the charging handle is on the left. The front and the rear sights are well-protected and adjustable by dials. The gas operation is also adjustable, primarily to provide the proper gas levels in the various configurations of the weapon. The M-96 trigger is two-stage; pulling the trigger about halfway back produced semiautomatic fire, while fully depressing the trigger allows automatic fire. MIL-STD-1913 rails are optional; these rails may be mounted above the receiver, running to a point halfway down the barrel shroud (except on the heavy rifle, which may only mount the section of rail above the barrel shroud), or on the handguards at the 3, 6, and 9-o’clock positions.

The M-96 Recon Carbine was produced in response to the trend towards lighter, shorter assault rifles with more bells and whistles. The Recon Carbine has a quick-change barrel for sustained fire, a MIL-STD-1913 rail on top of the receiver for optics and accessories, two more such rails on the sides of the forearm, a full muzzle brake instead of a flash suppressor, and an M-16-style fixed stock. This weapon also comes in a civilian version, but the muzzle brake complies with Brady Gun Ban specifications.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon appeared on the scene too late to have widespread distribution; most that did appear were illegally sold to civilians in the US (illegal because they were sold with the automatic sear intact and usually with high-capacity magazines, laws that quickly became superfluous within a year of the first sales of the M-96).

Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon became a favorite in the hands of numerous mercenary organizations.

Notes: The XCR is a modular assault rifle system designed specifically for the US Army’s Special Forces; it’s original purpose was to compete in the US SCAR competition; it was not chosen for that role in any official capacity, but is rumored to be in use in small number by US special operations troops. The XCR is also available in a semiautomatic version for civilian and police concerns. (Versions with barrels of less than 16 inches are not sold to civilians.) The "modular" part is in its caliber, which may be easily switched between its four available chamberings; in its barrels, which may also be easily switched between up to three different lengths for varying missions; and the MIL-STD-1913 rails in four positions on the handguard and on top of the receiver, which allow the mounting of a plethora of accessories and optics. The muzzle of the barrel may also be equipped with a flash suppressor and a muzzle brake. The XCR looks basically like what it is – a combination of the M-16’s simplicity, the AK series’ durability, and the Stoner’s versatility, along with an advanced gas piston operating system. To change barrels, all one does is screw out one barrel and then screw in and lock the new barrel. To change caliber between 5.56mm NATO and 6.8mm SPC or 6.5mm Grendel, all one changes is the upper receiver. The stock is a folding type made from tubular metal, and folds to the right. The XCR is equipped with a flash suppressor for the barrel, though the design of the flash suppressor differs with the length of the barrel and the caliber being fired.

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

Notes: This is essentially the civilian law-enforcement version of the M-4 SOPMOD; it is an M-4 clone with modifications similar to those of military M-4’s. The LAR-15 was designed to meet the needs of US law enforcement of the 21^st century, where organized crime, heavily-armed gangs, and even terrorists might be encountered. The LAR-15 was specifically designed for the DEA and ATF, but is also available to the likes of police SRT units. The LAR-15 has a sliding stock like the M-4, a MIL-STD-1913 rail for optics and sighting gear, handguards with four-way attachment rails for more accessories, an ergonomic rubber pistol grip, a tactical weapon light (a mini-flashlight), and a forward grip for close-quarters fighting. The handguards are longer than standard M-4 handguards, and have foam fillers for the Picatinny-style attachment rails for added comfort.

A civilian model of the LAR-15 is available; this does not have the fancy handguards or the sliding buttstock, and has a longer barrel with a muzzle brake instead of a flash suppressor.

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

Notes: This is an M-4 clone made by Rock River Arms. It has the flat top receiver of the M-4A1 with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and comes with a standard rear sight attached. There is also a batter storage compartment on the right side of the rail. The flash suppressor looks military, but complies with the Brady Gun Bill and the R4 can be sold to civilians in its semiautomatic form, if a fixed stock is used. The collapsible stock is copied from a CAR-15. The trigger pull is crisp and light.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Notes: The Varmint EOP is an extra-heavy-barreled AR-15 clone designed for both conventional hunting and as a police or military tactical sharpshooting weapon. Essentially an AR-15A2 with a new upper and some other modifications to the lower, the Varmint EOP features that barrel, made from stainless steel, and is match-quality, free-floating and fluted. The Varmint EOP has round aluminum handguards (the end of which has short four-way MIL-STD-1913 rails) and raised rail above the receiver with a MIL-STD-1913 rail for the attachment of optics. No iron sights are provided. The Varmint EOP is also built to very tight tolerances to further enhance operation and accuracy. The pistol grip is a Hogue soft rubber type with finger grooves. The front sling swivel doubles as an attachment point for a bipod.

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

Ruger Mini-14

Notes: A weapon based on the M-14 action, but in 5.56mm NATO, the semiautomatic Mini-14 is a very popular civilian hunting weapon. There are literally mountains of Mini-14s in the US and Central America. Note that the basic Mini-14 cannot use a bayonet or rifle grenades. The AC-556 series are a number of militarized versions. The Mini-14/20GB adds a bayonet lug, a new fiberglass handguard, a flash suppresser, and a provision for rifle grenades. The AC-556 is a fully militarized selective-fire weapon. The AC-556SF is identical, but has a burst-control selector. The AC-556F is a short-barreled carbine version of the AC-556, and cannot mount a bayonet. The AC-556F ands AC-556K are even shorter-barreled versions, with the AC-556K replacing wood with plastic. Militarized versions are less common, but have seen a lot of use by police forces in the US, and the occasional military use in various countries. More common is the use of the AC-556 series by mercenaries, and on TV shows in the US. Similar to the M-16 series, there is a thriving industry all over the world in modification kits for the Mini-14 and AC-556.

In 1987, Ruger began producing a version of their Mini-14 rifle in 7.62mm Kalashnikov, a round which has become increasingly popular in the US and Mexico since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Ruger calls this rifle the Mini-30 (also commonly known as the Mini-Thirty). Most have been sold in the US, and to a lesser extent in Canada and Mexico, but some have also been sold in Eastern Europe and China. The Mini-30 is not available in militarized versions.

In 2005, the Mini-14 was taken off the market – sort of. In its place is the Ruger Ranch Rifle, which is basically an updated version of the basic Mini-14. The metalwork can be blued or stainless steel, and the stock is either black polymer or hardwood with a recoil pad on the butt. (The pad is not really meant for recoil; it’s to prevent the butt from sliding on the shoulder. Unlike the curved butt of the Mini-14, the Ranch Rifle’s butt is straight. The stock is also somewhat longer, at the request of many Mini-14 owners over the years. It will accept most of the aftermarket accessories which have been devised for the Mini-14 over the years. The front sight of the Mini-14 has been replaced by a blued blade (even on stainless steel versions) with protective wings on either side of the sight; this new front sight is firmly attached to the barrel and is unlikely to be jarred out of alignment or be damaged. The new rear sight is a fully adjustable ghost ring type, also within protective wings, and also much stronger than the Mini-14 sight. The two together make quick sight acquisition easy.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Ranch Rifle is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: As stated above, this was an extremely popular weapon among mercenary organizations.

Notes: The M&P-15 is basically Smith & Wesson’s take on the M-4 and M-4 SOPMOD. The basic design is pure M-16/M-4, with a 16-inch barrel. However, the bolt carrier and gas key are chrome-plated as well as the bore, and chamber, which decreases fouling and increased reliability. Upper and lower receivers are of 7071 T6 aluminum, which is stronger than the metal of the standard M-16/M-4 receivers, and the machining, assembly and fitting of all parts are done by hand. There is an additional sling swivel at the front on the side, which may be moved to the left or right side. The flat black finish uses a much finer and durable texture than the standard M-16/M-4. Most have a removable carrying handle, revealing a short MIL-STD-1913 rail for optics. The M&P-15 comes in several versions – the M&P-15 Standard, the M&P-15A (a slight variant of the M&P-15 Standard) M&P-15T Tactical model, and the M&P-15C, a full-sized model.

The M&P-15 Standard is sort of the counterpart to the basic M-4. The sliding stock has six positions, and the flat top has a MIL-STD-1913 rail with a removable carrying handle that has the M&P-15’s rear sights. The front sight is mounted somewhat further back than that of a standard M-4, and therefore does not interfere with optics which may be mounted on the MIL-STD-1913 rail. The M&P-15A is almost the same as the M&P-15 Standard; Smith & Wesson does not sell it with the removable carrying handle (though it can still mount the handle), but instead the M&P-15A is equipped with a detachable Troy Folding Battle Sight as a rear sight. This sight is more finely-adjustable than a standard M-4-type rear sight (though not micrometer-adjustable), and it can be folded down flush with the rear of the MIL-STD-1913 rail, not interfering with anything mounted on the rail.

The M&P-15C is equipped in roughly the same manner as the M&P-15A, but uses a 20-inch free-floating match-grade barrel with a slightly different twist than the 16-inch barrels of the other M&P-15 rifles. Trigger units are two-stage and adjustable.

The M&P-15T is roughly the counterpart to the M-4 SOPMOD. It has three-position MIL-STD-1913 rails on the handguards, as well as a full-length rail on the flat top for optics. The three-position rails may be removed entirely and replaced by standard handguards, but this makes removing the forward portion of the top rail necessary. The forward portion of the MIL-STD-1913 rail otherwise forms a continuous length of rail with the MIL-STD-1913 rail mounted atop the receiver. The M&P-15T also comes with removable covers for the forward MIL-STD-1913 rails. The sights are flip-up front and rear, and both are adjustable. The M&P-15T can accept all SOPMOD accessories – including the M-203 grenade launcher, though it has no bayonet lug. The M&P-15T is also not sold with a carrying handle, though one may still be mounted. Both the front and rear sights are Troy Folding Battle Sight system sights. The front sight, though this is not advertised, are in the perfect position for interfacing with most modern laser or holographic sights. Interestingly, the front sight is also in a perfect position for interfacing with a Leupold Mk 4 CQ/T scope; though this is not advertised either, the resulting sight picture is regarded as being too perfect to be a coincidence by most shooters. The M&P-15T is also equipped with a free-floating barrel.

All of these are currently advertised as being semiautomatic, with automatic versions rumored to be available to certain police, military, and government concerns. They are currently sold in virtually all-black finish, though again other colors are rumored to be available to select buyers. The tables below allow for automatic versions.

Notes: Neither of these rifles are available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Notes: After Eugene Stoner left Armalite, he started his own company and invented the Stoner 63 Universal Weapon System. This is a weapons system consisting of a common receiver and stock, and different bolt, feed mechanisms, and barrels to produce a carbine, assault rifle, squad automatic weapon, fixed machinegun, and standard machinegun. The two assault rifle configurations were given the military designations of XM-22 (assault rifle) and XM-23 (carbine). The Stoner System was tested by the US Marines, and they might have chosen it with some more development if Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense at the time had allowed it; instead, he was already in bed with the M-16. The Army tested it, but had already invested a great deal of money in the M-16. The US Navy SEALs gave it extensive combat testing in Vietnam, and also liked it. The major problem with the Stoner was the same as the M-16: sensitivity to dirt. The Stoner has been described as a "do-it-yourselfer’s" weapon; aside from the barrel lengths and bolt combinations, the Stoner 63A could be modified to fire from an open or closed bolt, or feed from the bottom, top, or side.

Twilight 2000 Notes: For some strange weapon, some of these weapons (or perhaps improved newer models) turned up in the hands of US Navy SEALs and Marine Recon Teams during the Twilight War.

Notes: The AR-47 is the descendant of long experimentation and design; in about 2000, USSOCOM asked Colt to make an M-16 that fired 7.62mm Kalashnikov instead of 5.56mm NATO rounds. This weapon was intended for use behind enemy lines in Afghanistan, and only 12 were made. The Colt weapon was fed by modified 20-round M-16 magazines which reliably held only 10 rounds of 7.62mm Kalashnikov ammunition. They were called the SPR-V, and were none too successful, but were promising enough that USSOCOM looked for something better. In addition, US police forces and the government were interested in the idea.

Years went by, and a new design was introduced by Tactical Weapons. This is one of the first such successful designs. The upper receiver is a modified AR-15 receiver, and the lower receiver is a heavily modified AR-15 lower receiver. The receivers are modified to take the larger 7.62mm Kalashnikov round, primarily by relieving both sides of the receiver while modifying the magazine well and the bolt carrier to accept the higher-riding magazines. The bolt face also has to be widened, and the extractor has to be strengthened to reliably eject the heavier 7.62mm casings. Of course, the barrel and chamber have to be modified to accept the round. The handguards are standard M-16/AR-15, as is the front sight post. The top of the receiver has a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and can accept a modified M-16-style sight of other optics or a detachable carrying handle with sight. The stock is the collapsible one of an M-4. Military/government models have a flash suppressor, and can fire on automatic, while police and civilian models have no flash suppressor and are semiautomatic only.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Though this particular weapon was not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline, similar weapons were deployed to the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia during the Twilight War. These ones were made by Colt.

Universal Model 1256 Ferret

Notes: This is an M-1 Carbine modified to fire the .256 Winchester Magnum round, in an attempt to increase the stopping power of the M-1 Carbine. Introduced in the late 1970s, it was popular for only a few years before being phased out in the mid-1980s, and few were actually sold.

Notes: This is basically an HK93 rifle with a chopped barrel – essentially an HK93 dropped down to MP5 size. The barrel has been cut down to 8.3 inches, and equipped with a flash suppressor. Though it is primarily sold as a semiautomatic short-barreled rifle, Vector Arms will also supply it in a full-automatic version to law-enforcement, military, and Class III dealers. Like most Vector Arms weapons, the fit and finish are excellent, and unlike many such clones, it is not a "slapped together" conglomeration of odd parts. As might be suspected from such a short-barreled weapon, the muzzle blast and noise are great, but the recoil and muzzle climb are not what is normally expected from such a short-barreled rifle. The V-53 can be had with a fixed or sliding stock, and with the barrel/flash suppressor combination or a faux silencer to bring the barrel length to 16 inches for legal purposes (although designed before the sunset of the Brady Gun Bans, it was not sold until afterwards).

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Notes: The SM-15 is described as a "no frills tactical rifle." It is basically a version of the AR-15 with a shorter barrel and a Weaver rail on top instead of the standard carrying handle, and M-4-style handguards. The law enforcement version has a collapsible stock, while the civilian model has a fixed stock. The civilian model also does not have a flash suppressor.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Notes: This AR-15 derivative was designed by Bill Wilson to be an inexpensive combat carbine for law enforcement use. The UT (Urban Tactical)-15 has many of the refinements of military M-16s and M-4s – an ergonomic rubber pistol grip, a MIL-STD-1913 rail on the top of the receiver in lieu of a carrying handle, short M-4-style handguards with four-way Picatinny-style rails for equipment additions, and a muzzle brake instead of a standard flash suppressor. In addition, the barrel is free-floated for additional accuracy, and the barrel is fluted to reduce weight. The rear sight is of the flip-up variety and is removable.