MKEK MPT-76
Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu · Battle Rifle · In Production · 2014
Also known as: MPT-76, Milli Piyade Tufegi, National Infantry Rifle, Mehmetcik-2
Overview
The MKEK MPT-76 is a select-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, produced by Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu since 2014. Featuring a 20-round magazine capacity, this battle rifle offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4180 g (147.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4700 g (165.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1000 mm (39.37") |
| Folded Length | 900 mm (35.43") |
| Barrel Length | 410 mm (16.14") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 25 N (5.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 m/s (2625 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3050 J (2250 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3820 m (4178 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 292 mm (11.50") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Firing Pin Safety, Bolt Hold Open
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Picatinny Rail Top, Picatinny Rail Sides, Ambidextrous Controls, Ambidextrous Magazine Release, Ambidextrous Bolt Release, Telescoping Stock, Ar Style Charging Handle, Quick Detach Carry Handle, Select Fire, Underbarrel Grenade Launcher Compatible, Underbarrel Shotgun Compatible
Variants
- MPT-76 Carbine — Carbine
- MPT-76 DMR — Designated Marksman
- MPT-55 — Caliber Variant
Service history
Operators
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 2017 · as MPT-76
- Somalia Armed Forces · as MPT-76
- Azerbaijan Armed Forces · as MPT-76
- Cameroon Armed Forces · as MPT-76
- Senegal Armed Forces · as MPT-76
- Albanian Armed Forces · as MPT-76
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Security Forces · as MPT-76
Conflicts
- Turkish-Kurdish Conflict (2015-present)
- Operation Euphrates Shield (2016-2017)
- Operation Olive Branch (2018-2018)
- Operation Peace Spring (2019-2019)
Production
Estimated total produced: 70,000 · Production years: 2014-present
Over 70,000 units delivered by 2023. Primary production at MKEK facilities in Turkey. Exported to Somalia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Senegal, Albania, and Northern Cyprus.
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Notes
The MPT-76 was designed for robust operations in extreme environments including high-altitude mountain warfare, extreme heat, and arctic conditions. Its design is heavily influenced by the AR-10/HK417 platform with an aluminum alloy receiver, Picatinny rail system, and ambidextrous controls. The rifle is available with 12-inch, 16-inch, and 20-inch barrels for carbine, standard, and DMR configurations respectively. The MPT-55 variant is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. Trigger pull is rated at 20-30 Newtons. Accuracy specification is 4 MOA. Barrel life is approximately 12,000 rounds. Collapsed stock length is approximately 900mm. Over 70,000 units had been delivered by 2023.
Background
The MPT-76 represents Turkey's push toward defense industry self-sufficiency, replacing the license-produced Heckler & Koch G3 that had served as the Turkish military's standard rifle since the 1960s. The name 'Mehmetcik' (Little Mehmet) is an affectionate Turkish term for the common soldier, similar to 'Tommy' in British English or 'GI' in American English. Development began in 2008 following decades of G3 service, and the weapon was designed to be ruggedized for Turkey's diverse operational environments from Mediterranean coasts to eastern mountain warfare.