Kale KCR556
Kale Kalip · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2018
Also known as: KCR 556, KCR-556, Kale Kalip KCR-556, KCR556
Overview
The Kale KCR556 is a Turkish gas-operated assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, designed and produced by Kale Kalip (Kale Group). Built on an AR-15/M4-pattern layout with a short-stroke gas piston operating a rotating bolt head, it is a fully ambidextrous, modular infantry rifle marketed for military and law enforcement users. The forged upper and lower receivers are made from aerospace-grade Al-7075 aluminium, and the free-floating, chrome-plated cold-hammer-forged barrel is paired with a maintenance-free gas system rated to roughly 10,000 rounds. The rifle is offered in 7.5, 11, 14.5 and 16 inch barrel lengths with Picatinny rails on all four handguard faces and the upper receiver, a flip-up iron sight, and a five-position telescoping stock.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2630 g (92.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3300 g (116.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 850 mm (33.46") |
| Barrel Length | 368 mm (14.49") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 830 m/s (2723 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 850 m (930 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 950 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington (chamber compatible)
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Ambidextrous Selector
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Ar15 Pattern, Picatinny Rail, Free Floating Handguard, Telescoping Stock, M Lok Compatible
Service history
Operators
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 2018 · as KCR556
- Brazilian Armed Forces
- Qatar Armed Forces
- Libyan armed forces
Production
Estimated total produced: 50,000 · Production years: 2018-present
More than 50,000 units reported built since 2018; in service with Turkish forces and exported to Brazil, Qatar, Libya and others.
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Designer: Kale Kalip
Notes
This entry was originally filed under MKE; the KCR556 is in fact an original Kale Kalip (Kale Group) design, not an MKE product. Core figures (weight 2,630 g empty, 655 mm length on the short variant, 5.56x45mm NATO, 950 rpm, 500 m effective / 850 m max range, 50,000+ produced) come from the official kalekalip.com.tr listing and secondary references; muzzle energy and some dimensions for the 14.5 in base variant remain unconfirmed.
Background
Kale Kalip, part of Turkey's Kale Group, expanded from precision metal-forming and aerospace components into small arms, fielding the KCR556 from 2017-2018 as a homegrown alternative to imported NATO-pattern carbines amid Turkey's broader push for defence-industry self-sufficiency. It has since been showcased abroad, notably appearing in Brazilian service.