Vektor CR-21

Assault Rifle [ 1997 ]

The CR-21 remains a promising prototype assault rifle design - with no customers on the horizon.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/17/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Right side view of the Vektor CR-21 assault rifle; color

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The Vektor CR-21 is an indigenously-designed South African assault rifle meant to compete with the current standard R4 in South African Army service. While the CR-21 has been marketed as a lightweight, reliable, compact and accurate system, the gun has found little interest in the vast global firearms market on any level despite these inherent advantages. The weapon was unveiled by Vektor in 1997 but the series still exists only in prototype form as of this writing.

The Vektor is characterized by its highly-contoured look featuring smooth curved lines and a futuristic overall shape. The weapon is arranged in a "bullpup" configuration, meaning that the magazine feed is situated behind the pistol grip and trigger group (associated more commonly to the Austrian STEYR AUG universal automatic rifle). The grip and trigger unit are protected by a handguard running from the base of the pistol grip to just forward of the trigger. The body aft of the magazine feed is large and becomes the integrated buttstock, housing the weapon's cleaning kit. The body forward of the handguard becomes the integrated foregrip. The foregrip can be removed to accept underslung weapons such as a single-shot grenade launcher. Optics (1X magnification with illuminated reticle is standard) are mounted atop the weapon receiver while the cocking handle is situated just below this mounting. The barrel of the weapon protrudes some distance away from the forward body and sports a flash suppressor. Construction is of high-impact polymer.©MilitaryFactory.com

The Vektor CR-21 is chambered to fire the universal 5.5x45mm NATO standard cartridge. The weapon is fed from a 35-round Vektor R4-type magazine. The firing action is gas-operated with a rotating bolt. Rate-of-fire is listed at 700 rounds per minute when in full automatic fire. Muzzle velocity is a reported 980 meters per second. The Vektor CR-21 weighs in at just 8.2lbs when fully-loaded. Overall length is 760mm with the barrel making up 460mm of this length.

The CR-21 has also been developed into a shortened carbine form.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1997

Origin

South Africa

Classification

Assault Rifle

Denel (Vektor Division) - South Africa

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

None

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Automatic Function
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

✓ Assault Rifle
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.

Overall Length

760 mm
29.92 in

Barrel Length

460 mm
18.11 in

Empty Wgt

8.20 lb
3.72 kg

Sights

Optional

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

5.56x45mm NATO

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a 5.56mm intermediate rifle cartridge

Rounds / Feed

35-Round Detachable Box Magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Rate-of-Fire

700
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

3,215 ft/sec
(980 m/sec)

CR-21 - Base Assault Rifle

CR-21 (carbine) - Shortened Barrel Form

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Right side view of the Vektor CR-21 assault rifle; color

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