Marder Assault Carbine

5.5x45mm Marder

The Marder assault carbine is a logical progression of the company's earlier products, notably, the Marder light rifle. The assault carbine is constructed of composite materials with a titanium receiver and barrel (the barrel having a conventional rifled steel liner).

Operation is by piston primer. The firing pin is of heavy construction and includes lugs which extend to engage engage cam cuts in the bolt. On firing, a movable primer on the ammunition projects about 2mm beyond the cartridge case, forcing the firing pin rearward, and camming the bolt locking logs out of engagement with the barrel extension. Further bolt movement is by simple recoil. This design results in a very simple action with only 5 parts: bolt, firing pin, trigger,sear and disconnector. The assault carbine fires the Marder 5.5mm duplex round, and can fire standard 5.5mm M855 ammunition, but the action must be manually operated.

The weapon is fitted with a simple blast/flash suppressor, which significantly reduces the firing signature. A simple, effective collimating sight with a trtium element is fitted, and the weapon accepts 10, 20 and 30 round magazines.