IMBEL MD-2
Industria de Material Belico do Brasil · Assault Rifle · In Service · 1985
Also known as: Fz 5.56 MD-2, IMBEL MD2
Overview
The IMBEL MD-2 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Industria de Material Belico do Brasil since 1985. This Brazilian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4850 g (171.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1010 mm (39.76") |
| Folded Length | 764 mm (30.08") |
| Barrel Length | 453 mm (17.83") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 915 m/s (3002 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1675 J (1235 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 725 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Select Fire, Folding Stock, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Fal Derived Action, Rotating Bolt, Bayonet Mount, Flash Hider
Variants
- IMBEL MD-2A1 — Semi Auto Only
- IMBEL MD-3 — Fixed Stock
- IMBEL MD-4 — Compact
- IMBEL MD97 — Modernized
Service history
Operators
- Brazilian Army · adopted 1985 · as Fz 5.56 MD-2
- Brazilian Navy · as MD-2
- Brazilian Military Police · as MD-2
Production
Production years: 1985-2000s
Produced in significant numbers for the Brazilian Armed Forces and police. Exact production figures not publicly disclosed.
Origin
Country of origin: Brazil
Notes
The MD-2 retains the overall FAL silhouette and ergonomics, making the transition easier for soldiers already trained on the 7.62mm platform. The tubular side-folding stock reduces the overall length to 764mm for transport. Despite the caliber change, the rifle remained relatively heavy at 4.4kg empty due to its steel receiver construction inherited from the FAL. The MD-3 variant uses a fixed polymer stock instead of the folding metal stock, while the MD-4 is a carbine version with a shorter barrel. A semi-automatic only variant, the MD-2A1, was produced for police and civilian security forces. The rifle uses STANAG-compatible magazines. No export sales are known; the MD-2 was produced exclusively for Brazilian domestic use.
Background
The MD-2 represents Brazil's pragmatic approach to modernization during the 1980s: rather than design an entirely new rifle, IMBEL adapted the familiar FAL platform to the emerging NATO standard caliber. This allowed Brazil to maintain domestic production capability while transitioning to 5.56mm without the cost of adopting an entirely foreign design.