Amogh Carbine
Ordnance Factory Board · Carbine · Limited Production · 2008
Also known as: Amogh, MINSAS Carbine
Overview
The Amogh Carbine is an Indian select-fire carbine developed by the Ordnance Factory Board as a compact member of the INSAS small-arms family, derived from the Excalibur rifle. Chambered in the indigenous 5.56x30mm MINSAS round, it uses a gas-operated, long-stroke piston action with a rotating bolt and a closed breech, feeding from a 30-round detachable box magazine. OFB designers developed the shortened 5.56x30mm cartridge specifically for this weapon because they did not feel a short-barrelled carbine would function reliably with the full-power 5.56x45mm INSAS round. The Amogh features a 330 mm chrome-lined barrel, a side-folding stock, low recoil and an effective range of around 200 metres. It was rejected by the Indian Army on its first trial and lost the Sterling-replacement competition to the DRDO MSMC, surviving mainly as a marketed product with a reported procurement by the Indian Coast Guard.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2950 g (104.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3270 g (115.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 800 mm (31.50") |
| Folded Length | 575 mm (22.64") |
| Barrel Length | 330 mm (12.99") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Select Fire |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 700 m/s (2297 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 550 J (406 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Stamped Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
Calibers
- 5.56x30mm MINSAS · primary — also known as 5.56x30 MINSAS, 5.56x30mm, Mini-INSAS
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Fire Selector, Manual Safety
- Features: Select Fire, Side Folding Stock, Chrome Lined Barrel, Low Recoil, Iron Sights, Compact
Service history
Operators
- Indian Coast Guard · as Amogh
Production
Estimated total produced: 148 · Production years: 2008-present
A September 2008 order of 148 units is the main documented figure; rejected by the Indian Army, no large-scale production recorded.
Origin
Country of origin: India
Notes
The Amogh is sometimes called the MINSAS Carbine. Its lineage runs INSAS rifle to Excalibur to Amogh. A small September 2008 order of 148 units is the main documented procurement. Muzzle velocity figures vary from 650 m/s (cartridge test barrel) to 700 m/s cited for the Amogh's 330 mm barrel. Manufacture is attributed to OFB, with Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) commonly associated with this small-arms line.
Background
The Amogh ('the unfailing') was OFB's attempt to shrink the troubled INSAS platform into a compact carbine, but its designers lacked confidence in running the full 5.56x45mm round through a short barrel, so they invented the shortened 5.56x30mm MINSAS cartridge for it. Rejected by the Indian Army and beaten by the MSMC, it has been called 'the INSAS that never grew up.'