Daewoo K1
Encyclopedia
Daewoo Precision Industries K1/K1A assault carbine is the first modern firearm developed by Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and manufactured by Daewoo Precision Industries
, and entered service in Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 1981.
In 1976, Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command
(ROKASWC) requested a new weapon to replace the old M3 Grease Gun. In the following year, ADD launched a project named XB rifle, and the project aimed at the following:
The prototypes were made in 1980 and entered service in 1981. However due to the design of its flash suppressor, the K1 exhibited serious problems in service with ROK armed forces, such as:
These shortcomings were later fixed by the development and adoption of a new flash suppressor, which has three holes in the top right quadrant to limit muzzle flip under rapid fire and reduces flash to one-third of that of the early K1. Moreover, 3-round burst mechanism was added for improved accuracy. This new version of K1 is known as the K1A and its production began in 1982. All K1 carbines in service were subsequently modified to the K1A standard.
, it is classified as a submachine gun
in Republic of Korea Armed Forces
because K1 was intended to replace M3 Grease Gun
. On the other hand, it is a shortened assault rifle or carbine due to its characteristics.
assault rifle
, it is actually different from K2 for the following reasons:
S&T Daewoo
S&T Daewoo is a South Korean firearms and auto parts manufacturer founded in 1981. Its firearms equip most frontline units of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.- History :...
, and entered service in Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 1981.
Development
Special Warfare Command
Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command is the military command of the Republic of Korea Army responsible for their special operation forces...
(ROKASWC) requested a new weapon to replace the old M3 Grease Gun. In the following year, ADD launched a project named XB rifle, and the project aimed at the following:
- greater firepower than SMG class
- light weight for easy carrying
- cost effectiveness
- must be indigenous for improved capacity to produce military firearms independently of other nations
The prototypes were made in 1980 and entered service in 1981. However due to the design of its flash suppressor, the K1 exhibited serious problems in service with ROK armed forces, such as:
- Excessive recoil and weak stock due to increase in firepower
- Excessive noise and flash
- Difficulty in aiming during night operation
These shortcomings were later fixed by the development and adoption of a new flash suppressor, which has three holes in the top right quadrant to limit muzzle flip under rapid fire and reduces flash to one-third of that of the early K1. Moreover, 3-round burst mechanism was added for improved accuracy. This new version of K1 is known as the K1A and its production began in 1982. All K1 carbines in service were subsequently modified to the K1A standard.
Classification
Although K1 uses 5.56x45mm NATO5.56x45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
, it is classified as a submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
in Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Military of South Korea
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces or ROK Armed Forces, is the armed forces of the Republic of Korea...
because K1 was intended to replace M3 Grease Gun
M3 submachine gun
The M3 was an American .45-caliber submachine gun adopted for U.S. Army service on 12 December 1942, as the United States Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M3. The M3 was designed as a more cost-effective alternative to the Thompson, optimized for mass production...
. On the other hand, it is a shortened assault rifle or carbine due to its characteristics.
Differences
While K1 assault carbine is commonly regarded as a short version of Daewoo K2Daewoo K2
The Daewoo Precision Industries K2 is an assault rifle of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, manufactured by Daewoo Precision Industries. It is a shoulder-fired, gas-operated, selective-fire assault rifle that feeds from a 20 or 30 round magazine and is chambered for 5.56 NATO. The K2 replaced the...
assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
, it is actually different from K2 for the following reasons:
- The development of K1 was completed earlier than that of K2.
- The K1 uses the direct impingementDirect impingementDirect impingement is a type of gas operation for a firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly to cycle the action.- Evaluation :...
gas system, while the K2 uses AK-47AK-47The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
style gas piston system. - The K1 has 1-in-12 riflingRiflingRifling is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm, which imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis...
twist for .223 Remington.223 RemingtonThe .223 Remington is a sporting cartridge with almost the same external dimensions as the 5.56×45mm NATO military cartridge. The name is commonly pronounced either two-two-three or two-twenty-three. It is loaded with a diameter, jacketed bullet, with weights ranging from , though the most common...
, while the K2 has 1-in-7.3 riflingRiflingRifling is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm, which imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis...
twist for 5.56x45mm NATO5.56x45mm NATO5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
(FN SS109).
Users
: Servicing as primary rifle with ROK forces. Used extensively in the Afghanistan War and Iraq War.See also
- Daewoo Precision Industries K2
- Daewoo Precision Industries K7
- S&T Daewoo K11