The state Defence Industries Organisation (DIO) of Iran recently unveiled a new 7.62×51mm self-loading ‘battle rifle’. This is an addition to Iran’s MASAF series of rifles which first emerged in 2016. The first variant of the MASAF was chambered in the NATO 5.56×45mm cartridge. The new rifle was unveiled at the 13th Hazrat Ali Akbar Soldier Young Festival in Tehran, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support, attended the unveiling of the weapons.
Fig.1.1. Two Iranian officers brandishing the new MASAF rifle at the unveiling (Source: Mehr News Agency)
Fig.1.2. The MASAF rifle shown here on display with a forward vertical grip, a red dot optic and a magnifier (Source: Mehr News Agency)
Although these are indigenously produced rifles, the design itself harks back to the AR-10 and AR-15 platforms. The new MASAF parallels the Turkish 7.62×51mm MPT-76 and 5.56×45mm MPT-55 manufactured by MKE. It is clear to see the similarities and influences of the HK416 and HK417 series from Heckler & Koch.
Iranian released footage of a firing demonstration of the 7.62×51mm MASAF:
https://youtu.be/bi_opoKpn7E
In the DIO’s display during the 7.62 MASAF’s unveiling, the rifles were presented equipped with an array of scopes and sights including what appears to be an EO-Tech XPS and magnifier.
In the demonstration of the rifle, it can be seen equipped with an ACOG-type optic of some sort. In some video shots the rifle appears to have very little recoil, however, this may be due to what seems to be an adjustable gas-system and the actual stance of the shooter. The rifle is also shown being subjected to a number of tests to see how it fared in various conditions but when being fired in the filmed demonstration, it was only fired in semi-automatic-mode although it appears to have the capability to be select-fire. Apart from the more obvious, the controls are the same as on your standard AR-10 pattern self-loading rifle.
Fig.1.3. An Iranian military official brandishing the MASAF rifle (Source: Mehr News Agency)
Fig.1.4. An Iranian military official shouldering the MASAF rifle (Source: Mehr News Agency)
In conclusion, it seems that Iran’s military is not yet ready to give up on the 7.62×51mm ‘battle rifle’ concept, given that its current service rifle remains the venerable G3. It is not yet know if Iran intends to field the new rifle as a standard issue service rifle. The retention of the 7.62×51mm cartridge isn’t a bad move due to its widespread use and it being a very versatile round. That being said, seeing how long it took for them to adopt the 5.56×45mm MASAF into limited service, it is unlikely this new variant will be seen in significant quantities anytime soon.
Sources:
“13th Hazrat Ali Akbar Soldier Young Festival”, Mehr News Agency, <https://www.mehrnews.com/photo/5163960/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B2%D8%AF%D9%87%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%B4%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AD%D8%B6%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9>, accessed 11/03/21
“VIDEO: Iran unveils 7 homegrown rifles & shotguns”, Mehr News Agency, <https://en.mehrnews.com/news/170809/VIDEO-Iran-unveils-7-homegrown-rifles-shotguns>, accessed 11/03/21
“Iran unveils modern assault rifle”, Islamic Republic News Agency, <https://en-irna-ir.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/en.irna.ir/amp/84255251/?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16154817364989&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fen.irna.ir%2Fnews%2F84255251%2FIran-unveils-modern-assault-rifle>, accessed 11/03/21
“Iranian MASAF 7.62x51mm assault rifle from Defense Industries Organization”, prtrtur, <https://youtu.be/bi_opoKpn7E>, accessed 11/03/21
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update here they recently chose this new 7.62 NATO variant to replace the G3 looks like they are going to stick to 7.62 rather than switching to 5.56
Iran made a rifle similar Ruger SFAR .308, copy very close.
The folding style vertical foregrip is very clearly a copy (if not an actual one) of a CAA grip, which is ironically an Israeli company lol Also that scope you can get on amazon for like 65 USD…Made in china I believe. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Eotech is also a Chinese knock off.