Notes: This is a German bolt-action hunting rifle with an excellent reputation. They have butterknife bolt handles, double set triggers, straight stocks, and European-style fore-end muzzle caps. Some typical calibers are noted below.

Notes: Introduced in 1965 (with production beginning in 1966), the Model 66 is a bolt-action sporting rifle which comes in four basic models (or groups) and several variants. It features a short-throw bolt action, even when chambering the long rounds the Model 66 normally uses; this is achieved by locating the magazine between the trigger and the bolt, and by telescoping the bolt and bolt carrier. The weapon has iron sights, which may be removed and replaced by others if desired. It is also drilled and tapped for a scope mount. The stock is of walnut, with a half-length fore-end and a rubber recoil pad on the butt. It has a number of nice touches, such as an ebony or rosewood pistol grip wrist cap, a rounded rosewood fore-end cap, a checkered pistol grip wrist and fore-end, and a set trigger as standard (with a conventional trigger available upon request). Variants include the Model 66ST Stutzen (known as the Model 660 Ultra in the US), with a shorter 20.85-inch barrel (as opposed to the standard 23.6-inch barrel); the Model 66SM, with a Monte Carlo-type stock, deeper pistol grip wrist, and a Schnabel fore-end tip; it is identical to the standard Model 66 for game purposes. The Model 66S and Model 66SM Magnum are virtually identical to the Group IV standard Model 66s, but use 25.6-inch barrels, heavier bolts, and deeper magazines. The Models 66D and 66SD are deluxe versions of the standard rifle, identical for game purposes to the standard M-66.

The Mauser SP-66 Sniper Rifle (see German Sniper Rifles) is a heavily-modified version of the Model 66.

Notes: Most people say the Merkel KR-1 looks a bit strange, even fragile; it is, however quite the accurate and well-built short hunting rifle.

The fragile look of the rifle comes primarily from the stock, which includes a narrow and medium-deep pistol grip wrist, a stock which is basically only as wide as it has to be, and a fore-end which is built in the same manner. In addition, a good portion of the barrel is exposed, and it looks quite spindly. This should not fool the shooter, however; the stock is made of exceptionally-strong premium European walnut root, and the metalwork is of high-grade, high-strength steel. The bolt carrier looks like a sort of hood at the top of the receiver, and the bolt handle projects from the very top of the receiver instead of the middle or bottom of the receiver like most bolt-action rifles. Then the bolt is cycled, the entire rear portion of the top of the receiver/bolt hood moves to the rear. The action is a short-throw action. The barrel has a front ramp-type sight at nearly the muzzle; the "rear" sight is a simple aperture sight adjustable for windage and elevation, and is actually located a good 7 inches down the barrel in the "stalking" position. The KR-1 is primarily designed for use with a scope however, and it includes QD scope mounts set in standard drilling and tapping. The safety is a three-position type, and the bolt can be cycled while the rifle is set on safe. The trigger is also unusual; it functions as a standard trigger when pulled (though with a light 2-pound pull weight), but when pushed forward first, it acts as a set trigger, dropping the pull weight down to 8 ounces. Though small, the magazine is a detachable box which can also be loaded from the top through the action.

The standard KR-1 uses a 20.25-inch, 22.25-inch, or 24.25-inch barrel; the stock is a bit more substantial, but still looks (and only looks) rather fragile and the barrel sticks out quite a bit. The standard version can change calibers by simply changing (if necessary), the barrel, magazine, and bolt face. The KR-1 Stutzen uses only the 20.25-inch barrel, and has a full-length (Mannlicher) fore-end, as well as having a reduced number of chamberings available.

Notes: This is a "switch-barrel" rifle; it is capable of changing calibers just by switching the barrel and the magazine. The Sauer 202 can do this, switching easily within standard and magnum calibers. (Standard ammunition Sauer 202s cannot be switched to fire Magnum ammunition or vice versa.) It is otherwise a medium magazine-fed rifle with a synthetic or walnut stock.

Notes: The Shorty is a rare type of civilian rifle with a number of unusual features. Generally sold only through a number of resellers (primarily in the United States and Canada) and not by Sommer Ockenfus itself, the Shorty has never really sold well, though it is apparently an accurate, reliable and easy-to-use rifle. This is probably due to a great extent because the Shorty simply looks strange (and maybe American hunters are too conservative) and operates much differently than the typical rifle.

The Shorty is a bullpup-layout hunting rifle. The construction of most of the rifle is of aircraft-quality aluminum and steel, though most of this aluminum and steel is surrounded by a polymer or wooden shell (depending upon the model chosen). The entire rifle has a straight-line, ergonomic layout and a rather space-age appearance.

Operation is very unusual; though I am placing it in the "bolt-action" section, I really don’t know how to really characterize it in game terms. (As a GM, I would treat it as "Bolt-Action", but perhaps give it a fire rate of 2 instead of 1.)The action of the Shorty is operated by simply pulling the pistol grip back and forward into operating position again. Though this makes the innards of the operating system a bit complicated, the Shorty is also quite reliable and can be cycled quickly. Another unusual feature is the Shorty’s grip safety, similar to that of the M-1911 pistol; the Shorty also has a manual safety which locks the pistol grip/bolt. Barrels are of high-quality steel and are of heavy profile; the Shorty uses a 25-inch barrel for all models except the Marksman’s Rifle, which has a 26.5-inch barrel. There are many possible chamberings, but the Shorty uses a quick-switch barrel system allowing one rifle to fire all possible chamberings within its type. Feed is from a box magazine which inserts completely into the stock (larger-capacity magazines are also available, but they will protrude from the magazine well); the action can be easily switched to allow for right or left-handed shooters.

Though most of the versions of the Shorty are basically similar for game purposes, the "base" Shorty appears to be the Hunter; it features a stock and receiver covered with select-quality walnut or polymer (usually black or gray, and called the Hunter Synthetic), and a stainless steel or high-grade steel alloy barrel. The stock has engraved steel plates on the left and right side under the sight base, with the right side plate having a red deer and scrollwork, and the left side plate having a wild boar and scrollwork. On the fore-end and on the rear near the buttplate are sling swivels (which are reversible). The scope mount is a Weaver-type rail, able to use virtually all civilian and most military telescopic sights; this mount may be permanently attached to the rifle, or be on a quick-release mount which allows for the replacement of the standard mount with other types of mounts. The Hunter has no iron sights. The trigger mechanism may be an adjustable match trigger group or a "hair trigger" which has a very light pull weight. The Hunting Match is basically a variant of the Hunter which is designed for both basic hunting as well as competition; its barrel is of match-quality, and tipped with a short muzzle brake. The Wilderness Rifle is also quite similar to the Hunter, but is usually covered in fiber-reinforced polymer. (A select walnut covering which is sealed with a polyurethane-type weather-resistant covering is also available upon request. All metalwork is either stainless steel or finished in weatherproof blueing. The Wilderness Rifle does not have the engraved inset side plates of the Hunter, Hunter Synthetic, or Hunter Match. (For game purposes, the Wilderness Rifle is identical to the Hunter Synthetic or the Hunter, depending upon the cladding.) A Limited Edition version also exists, essentially a version of the Hunter with very high-quality weatherproofed walnut (synthetic-clad versions of the Limited Edition do not exist), gold-plated decorative side plates, and a black weatherproof finish to the metalwork. It is identical for game purposes to the Hunter.

The Marksman’s Rifle has a number of differences from the standard Shorties; the barrel is 1.5 inches longer and tipped with a muzzle brake. It is not available with wood cladding, and has no decorative side plates. The fiber-reinforced synthetic cladding is matte gray, and the metalwork has a matte finish (blued for most of the metalwork, and matte stainless steel for the barrel and muzzle brake). The barrel is also a bit heavier than the standard Shorty, and may be fluted or smooth. The Marksman’s Rifle comes with a bipod and a retracting monopod for the butt.

In real life, Shorties are VERY expensive, far more so than the game prices listed below.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Shorty is a very rare rifle in the Twilight 2000 timeline.