Indian INSAS Assault Rifle

**Emptymag** · February 11th, 2022, 12:50 AM

Why can't we get stuff like this???

Indian INSAS Assault Rifle

Interesting. I had never seen one before watching the Indian war movie (Shershaah) on Amazon Prime.

I picked up on the unusual, yet familiar-looking rifles right off the bat. Sort of reminded me of an AK47 copy - with hints of Galil, and/or FAL mixed in.
As soon as I finished watching the movie, I started researching it.

Apparently it was an indigenous design and also manufactured in India.
The INSAS rifles were introduced in 1998, seeing action in the Kargil war in 1999. (India/Pakistan - as depicted in the above movie)

Random "specs":
5.56x45 caliber
20 round translucent magazine (later 30 rd magazines)
Grooved flash hider for firing rifle grenades
Gas block design similar to FN FAL can be shut off for firing rifle grenades
Forward charging handle similar to HK G3
Folding carry handle similar to FN FAL
Brown plastic furniture reminds me of Russian Bakelite

A few links with info: ( I will add more here as I find more info)

http://tonnel-ufo-english.tk/weapon/...tak-minsas.php

http://punedefencenews.com/2017/03/2...assault-rifle/

https://www.mensxp.com/special-featu...ult-rifle.html

https://defenceforumindia.com/thread....43826/page-54

https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gal...-qq2bi0#image2

(turn on subtitles at the bottom of the video)

**Emptymag** · February 11th, 2022, 12:52 AM

**Emptymag** · February 11th, 2022, 12:52 AM

**chauncey** · February 11th, 2022, 07:32 AM

I researched and purchased the 716i, in no small part based on the size of the Indian procurement contract with Sig.

In my reading, it's my interpretation that the INSAS rifle was pretty much a failure. India is replacing the INSAS with an AR308 variant (the 716i) and a Russian produced, upgraded variant of the AK-47 (AK-103?), in 7.62x39 IIRC.

I think there was a third rifle in the mix, but can't recall what it was. 5.56x45, I think.

Apparently part of the consideration was Indian troops felt undergunned going up against Paki G3's (another favorite of mine); but mostly, the INSAS wasn't reliable.

Maybe Century was doing INSAS production...jk, of course. ;-)

**wanneroo** · February 11th, 2022, 11:03 AM

Yep it was pretty much a piece of junk.

**Qtrborecrazy** · February 11th, 2022, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Emptymag

Didn*t see any hearing protection.

**Emptymag** · February 11th, 2022, 01:21 PM

**Emptymag** · February 11th, 2022, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by chauncey

I researched and purchased the 716i, in no small part based on the size of the Indian procurement contract with Sig.

In my reading, it's my interpretation that the INSAS rifle was pretty much a failure. India is replacing the INSAS with an AR308 variant (the 716i) and a Russian produced, upgraded variant of the AK-47 (AK-103?), in 7.62x39 IIRC.

I think there was a third rifle in the mix, but can't recall what it was. 5.56x45, I think.

Apparently part of the consideration was Indian troops felt undergunned going up against Paki G3's (another favorite of mine); but mostly, the INSAS wasn't reliable.

Maybe Century was doing INSAS production...jk, of course. ;-)

Yeah. From what I'm reading, the rollout of new/replacement, foreign-made weapons is(was?) taking place over a number of years, mainly due to cost as far as I can tell.