Daewoo Precision Industries 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 M16A1 rifle in South Korean military use in 1984. The K2 formally entered South Korean military service in 1987.

K2 Design

The K2 uses a tough polymer for the forearm, pistol-grip and side-foldable buttstock. Externally similar in appearance to the AR18, its bolt carrier group is derived from the American M16 rifle, but only some of the parts are interchangeable. The gas operating system is derived from the AK-47, and is consequently different from that of the M16. The K2 uses the same magazine and bolt as the M16; the bolt carrier does not interchange with the M16. The fire control system is derived from that of the M16 but few parts interchange without modification. The barrel rifling has 6 grooves, 1-in-7.3 right hand twist. The K2, as well as the K1 carbine, can be equipped with the Daewoo K201, an undercarried 40mm grenade launcher patterned after the American M203.

K1 carbine and K2 rifle

While the K1/K1A carbine is commonly regarded as a carbine version of the K2, it is better to consider the K1 a separate carbine because:

• The K1 was developed earlier than the K2.
• The K1 uses direct impingement gas system, while the K2 uses a long stroke gas piston system.
• The K1 has a 1-in-12 rifling twist for KM193 (5.56 mm) rounds, while the K2 has a 1-in-7.3 rifling twist for both the KM193 (5.56 mm) rounds and the K100 (5.56 mm) green tip, full metal jacket rounds.
• The K1 was originally developed as a sub-machine gun, not as an assault carbine.

K2 Variants

Export versions of the K2 were sold as the DR-100 and DR-200, chambered in .223 Remington. DR-300 is chambered for 7.62x39mm.

• K2C: Carbine version of K2 rifle with RAS and minor modification

Daewoo Precision Industries K2
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Republic of Korea
Service history
In service	1984–present
Used by	Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal
Wars	Gulf War Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War 2006 Fijian coup d'état
Production history
Designer	Agency for Defense Development Daewoo Precision Industries
Designed	1983
Manufacturer	Daewoo Precision Industries
Produced	1984–present
Specifications
Weight	3.26 kg
Length	980 mm, 730 mm with folded stock
Barrel length	465 mm
Cartridge	5.56 x 45 mm NATO
Action	Gas operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire	750 RPM
Muzzle velocity	920 m/s (SS109), 960 m/s (M193)
Effective range	500-600 m (SS109), 460 m (M193)
Maximum range	2400 m
Feed system	Various STANAG Magazines.
Sights	Iron sights