Notes: The Lightning was first introduced in 1986 as a .22 Long Rifle "military-type" design (patterned after the Ruger 10/22), with a 17.5-inch barrel (tapered or bull), satin-finish stainless steel metalwork, and a nylon body filled with fiberglass. The rifle has a skeletal stock which folds to the right, and is made from tubular metal with a buttplate that is equipped with a ventilated rubber recoil pad. Later known as the Lightning 25/22 (for the 25-round magazine it was sold with at the time and the 22-inch barrel it used), 30-round magazines were later available, and it could also use the 10-round box magazines of other Lightnings, as well as a 50-round drum. As with all Lightning models, it has conventional iron sights as well as being grooved for a scope mount. This capacity, and the "military" looks of the weapon, quickly made it a target of the Brady Gun Bill and Assault Weapons Ban, and this original version of the Lightning was discontinued.

In 1986, a version of the Lightning called the SGH (Small Game Hunting) appeared. Though it looks like a totally different weapon, it is in fact a Lightning with a conventional wood stock and a 22 or 24-inch heavy barrel. It is no longer in production. A Small Game Hunter II version was also built; this version had a black nylon stock; the buttplate had a recoil pad, and the buttplate was removable, revealing compartments for an extra magazine, a cleaning kit, and a small knife. The barrel was a 22-inch heavy barrel. 1992 brought the Lightning Hunting Rifle, which was essentially a Small Game Hunter II chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire round. The magazine in both cases are internal rotary types. The Small Game Hunter II and Lightning Hunting Rifle were built until 1996. The Magnum Hunter was introduced in 1996, and is still being built by Galena; it has a 20, 22, or 24-inch free-floating heavy barrel, and a fiberglass/nylon stock with a straight comb and no cheekpiece. The standard magazine is a 5-round internal rotary magazine, but at customer request a 10-round internal rotary magazine may be installed instead.

Twilight 2000 notes: The Magnum Hunter is an extremely rare weapon in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

*If the Lightning Magnum Hunter is equipped with a 10-round magazine, add $1 to the cost of the rifle.

Notes: The AR-7 was originally designed in 1958 (and manufactured from 1959-73) by Eugene Stoner as a company venture to provide US aircrews with a survival weapon. The US military asked for any such weapon, and though they were interested in it for a short time, it was quickly decided that aircrews already had enough to carry in their small survival packs, and that the AR-7 was simply too big despite its takedown configuration and generally small size. The AR-7 then acquired a niche with hunters and campers as a survival and self-defense weapon, and has been sold ever since by one company or another, though Armalite itself did not begin production again until 1999.

The original AR-7 was quite the interesting weapon. It was built almost entirely of high-impact plastic and aluminum alloy; even the barrel was aluminum alloy with a rifled, chromed steel sleeve for the bore. The receiver and barrel can be disassembled and inserted entirely within the stock and the watertight buttplate shut; in this configuration, the AR-7 will easily float, and provides a very small package for transport (only 16 inches long). The barrel of this original model was 16 inches; the receiver was quite compact, and the rifle fed by an 8-round magazine that fit flush with the front of the receiver. (The Armalite model is also able to take the higher-capacity magazines that became available with future versions of the AR-7, though they did not appear until much later.) The rear sight was a peep-type sight with two flip apertures adjustable for elevation; the front sight is an unprotected post on a small ramp which is adjustable for windage. Armalite also produced a deluxe version of the AR-7 called the AR-7 Custom; this is essentially the same as the standard AR-7 Explorer, but had the plastic stock replaced with a hollow walnut stock which is weatherproofed and has a raised cheekpiece. (The rest of the rifle could still be stored inside the stock, and reputedly the AR-7 Custom could still float, though not as well.)

From 1973-90, the AR-7 was primarily produced by Charter Arms. (Many shooters say that this is where the quality of the AR-7 began to suffer heavily; there were lots of complaints of warping barrels, imperfections in the new aperture sights, and imperfections in the mechanism leading to frequent jamming.) When Charter Arms merged with Henry Repeating Arms in 1980, these imperfections disappeared, since the AR-7 was now being produced by the Henry side of the house. Henry Repeating Arms completely bought out the AR-7 design in 1997, calling it the Henry US Survival Rifle. During the AR-7’s ownership of the AR-7, they also produced the Explorer II pistol version of the AR-7 (detailed elsewhere). Other than its early imperfections, the Charter Arms AR-7 is identical to the original plastic-stocked Armalite AR-7 Explorer for game purposes. From 1990-97, the AR-7 Explorer was also licensed to Survival Arms of Florida; this version is also identical for game purposes to the AR-7 Explorer.

In 1998, the AR-7 design was sold to (appropriately enough) to AR-7 Industries of Connecticut, and then began production by Armalite by Armlite again in 1999. (Who has the actual license is something I cannot quite figure out at present; however, as far as I can tell, Armalite is no longer selling the AR-7.) Though updated to modern standards, the AR-7 produced by AR-7 Industries is essentially the same as the original AR-7 Explorer for game purposes.

The AR-7 Explorer design was also sold to Israel, also as a pilot’s survival rifle. They encountered the same problems as the US military, even after shortening the barrel to 13.5 inches. It then morphed into a civilian rifle with barrel lengths of 16 or 13.5 inches, a new (still hollow) stock with a true pistol grip (borrowed from the FAL), a front sight based on the K-98 Mauser, sling swivels, and standard drilling and tapping for scope rings. These versions were later imported in the US by BTC (the Bricklee Trading Corporation), though the version with the 13.5-inch barrel had to have a 3-inch-long muzzle brake added to the muzzle to comply with US firearms regulations. The IMI and BTC 16-inch-barrel versions are identical to the Armalite AR-7 Explorer for game shooting purposes, though there are slight weight and price differences; the others are detailed below.

Over the years, various manufacturers have produced aftermarket magazines for the AR-7, with capacities of 10, 15, 25, 30, and 50 rounds; all are stick-type box magazines. In addition, a plethora of other aftermarket accessories are also available for the AR-7, from folding stocks to wooden stocks, composite stocks, fore-ends of various of materials, and even odd accouterments such as scope mounts (including mounts like Weaver and MIL-STD-1913 rails) and foregrips. (In fact, many of the aftermarket accessories designed for the Ruger 10./22 and AMT Lightning rifle are useable by the AR-7.) Still being produced in its standard form by AR-7 Industries, the AR-7 Explorer will probably be around for a long time.

*In its takedown/stored configuration, the AR-7 has a bulk of 3; but it cannot be fired in this configuration!

Notes: Bushmaster bought out the Carbon-15 Arms Company in late 2004; one of the products they have produced since then based on the Carbon-15 is a 9mm carbine. The receiver is very much like a smaller version of that of an AR-15-type receiver, but of course, built from high-strength composites for both the upper and lower receivers instead of aluminum alloy (with steel reinforcement where necessary). The upper receiver is a flattop-type and has a MIL-STD-1913 rail; this rail comes equipped with a removable two-aperture flip-type rear sight (adjustable only for windage); however, the Carbon-15 9mm Carbine’s close-range aperture is considered by most experts to be too large, while the long-range aperture is considered to be too small. Mechanical operation is a bit noisy, and the magazine release is a bit stiff (a workaround is to push upward while pushing in on the button). The action, however, is extremely reliable, and the Carbon-15 9mm Carbine is able to digest most 9mm Parabellum ammunition. The stock is a collapsible M-4-sype stock, also made mostly of composites. Magazines are also composite, but the action, barrel, trigger and guard, and some other parts are of high-grade steel and generally dark Parkerized. The composite portions are normally sold in black, but Bushmaster also makes them in other colors, and will finish the exterior metalwork to match. There is no forward assist on the Carbon-15 9mm Carbine, and the action is blowback instead of using gas operation. The barrel is 16 inches long and tipped with an M-16A2-type flash suppressor.

Notes: A folding-stock civilian carbine, the Calico was introduced in the US in the late 1980s and gained considerable popularity in the US and Europe. The Calico is a small, light weapon with an unusual helical-feed magazine which rests above the rear of the receiver. It is a well-balanced design, which is easily fired with one hand. It was, unfortunately, one of the first weapons to fall victim to the Brady Gun Bill, due to the high-capacity helical magazines.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Brady Gun Bill was never passed in the Twilight 2000 World.

Notes: This is a version of the M-100 (see US Small-Caliber Rifles) designed for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. It is very similar to that weapon, as well as the assault rifles and submachineguns based on the same design. The main difference is the longer barrel (to comply with US firearms laws), the removal of the automatic fire feature, and those changes necessary to allow the use of the larger caliber. The large magazines got it targeted early by the Brady Gun Bill and its successors. The M-900S Carbine is a shorter-barreled version of the M-900S; a pre-ban weapon, it has a shorter barrel and a flash suppressor.

Notes: This weapon actually comes in two versions: The standard Field Grade, with metal parts made from chrome-molybdenum steel and a blued finish, and the Field Grade Stainless with metal parts made from stainless steel. (Both are identical for game purposes.) These rifles have hardwood stocks and are recoil-operated. They have dovetail rails for the mounting of telescopic sights, and backup iron sights which include a folding adjustable leaf rear sight.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Until 1998, this rifle was sold under the Armscor of Philippines name as the M-2000, and therefore does not exist as a Charles Daly product in the Twilight 2000 world.

Notes: This AR-15 variant features a prominent Miculek muzzle brake that virtually eliminates muzzle blast and greatly reduces recoil. As the Gator was designed for competition, the brake was included to reduce shot recovery time. The Gator also has an adjustable gas system; this allows for more flexibility in ammunition loads to be used. The top of the receiver has a MIL-STD-1913 rail, while another short rail is located where the front sight post is normally located on an AR-15. This allows iron sights to be mounted, but also allows the maximum flexibility in sight and scope types. (The Gator does not come with iron sights from the factory.) The handguard is round and made from light carbon fiber, and allows the barrel to free-float. (A vented aluminum handguard is available if the buyer wishes.)

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Notes: This semiautomatic rimfire rifle is a very simple design, fed from a tubular magazine rather than a box magazine. It was built for about 10 years between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, and about 25,000 were manufactured. It is about as simple a semiautomatic rifle as possible. Two variants were built; the Colteer Courier, with a pistol grip stock (identical in game terms), and the Colteer Stagecoach, with short 16.5-inch barrel, and side plates with an engraved stagecoach hold-up scene; about 25,000 of these were also built.

Notes: These weapons were designed for a variety of purposes, ranging from inexpensive training and practice to accurate varmint hunting. They are all built on the DPMS Panther pattern (an AR-15 clone), and typically have heavy, match, or bull barrels.

The basic Panther .22LR has a floating bull barrel and a round aluminum handguard. It has no iron sights; instead, the upper receiver is topped with a MIL-STD-1913 rail for the mounting of a telescopic sight or other optics. It is primarily meant for varmint hunting, and is quite accurate for its type of rifle.

The Panther .22LR CMP was designed for those who use AR-15-type weapons to cheaply practice without the expense of firing mounds of more expensive 5.56mm NATO ammunition. It is basically a .22 Long Rifle-firing weapon that mimics as much as possible a competition-type AR-15 rifle (especially the DPMS 5.56mm Panther series). The .22LR CMP has a heavy stainless steel match floating barrel and sights made for a .22 Long Rifle round instead of 5.56mm NATO. The sling swivel is attached to the float tube instead of the front sight assembly. The magazines are housed inside a nylon shell and fit instead of a standard-sized magazine well. The trigger is match-grade two-stage.

The Panther AP4 Training Rifle is, as the name suggests, designed for inexpensive training for users of AR-15-type rifles. There are two variants, the Pre-Ban and Post-Ban versions; the Pre-Ban version is currently sold only to law-enforcement and military interests and includes an M-16-style flash suppressor and a telescoping M-4 style stock, as well as a flat-top receiver with a MIL-STD-1913 rail and a detachable carrying handle. The Post-Ban version is available to civilians and is virtually identical to the Pre-Ban version, but has no flash suppressor and the M-4-style stock is locked at the standard length for an M-16-type stock.

Twilight 2000 Notes: These weapons do not exist.

Notes: This is a version of the Panther .223 designed specifically for competitive target shooting. It doesn’t look much like a normal Panther rifle, but shares the same lineage. The Race Gun has a free-floating stainless steel bull barrel a full 24 inches long, fluted with black Teflon in the flutes, inside "Hot Rod" aluminum hemispherical handguards and a palm rest. The pistol grip also has a palm rest, and is ergonomically shaped. The rifle includes micro-adjustable competition optical sights. The upper receiver is of polished aluminum, with a low flattop design. The lower receiver includes an adjustable trigger group. The stock is a skeletonized type known as "Ironstone" with brass weights for that perfect balance. The under the handguard is a stud for a bipod (not included in the cost of the rifle). The Race Gun is basically a Panther maxed out for accuracy.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This is a very rare weapon in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Notes: This is a modernization of the basic FN-FAL design, designed primarily for the civilian market, but also useful as a battle rifle. The upper receiver is machined from a solid chunk of 4140 steel, and is quite strong. The lower receiver is also machined from a billet of solid metal, this time of 7075 T6 aircraft-quality aluminum. The barrel is medium-weight match grade barrel made from chrome-molybdenum steel, fluted on the front third, and tipped with a target crown. Most of the furniture is of black fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Sights are standard FAL sights, though the Predator also has a MIL-STD 1913 rail for optics mounting. The Predator deletes the normal FAL carrying handle; this small deletion strengthens the receiver and leaves the area clear for large scopes and optics. The Predator is a little heavy, but this contributes to stability.

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

Notes: Big brother to the Accelerator Pistol, this rifle is names for the high-velocity rimfire cartridges it fires. The Accelerator Rifle is constructed largely from high-strength 17-4 stainless steel, with a polymer skeletonized pistol grip stock and an aluminum shroud for the action that incorporated a Weaver rail in order to mount a large variety of scopes, sights, and optical accessories. The Accelerator Rifle uses a firing pin safety as well as a manual safety switch. The magazines used are the same as those of the Accelerator Pistol, and if bought from the manufacturer, the rifle comes with a cable lock.

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