The IMBEL MD series (MD-1, MD-2, MD-3 and the recent MD-4) of assault rifles are the standard-issue rifles of the Brazilian Army.
The MD-2 and MD-3 rifles are the result of redesigning the FN FAL to use the 5.56x45mm NATO round in place of the FAL's 7.62mm NATO chambering. The MD-2/MD-3 series externally resembles a short-barrelled FAL, but with an M16 magazine. Early MD-1 prototypes retained the FAL-type tilting bolt with a locking shoulder immediately behind the magazine well. This was not found to work well with the 5.56mm round, so subsequent prototypes and the final design incorporated an M16-type 7-lug rotating bolt into the design. The FAL's short-stroke gas piston, which is actuated by gas bled from the barrel via a vent located in the foresight housing, and which impinges upon the separate bolt carrier, is retained. Feeding is from STANAG 4179 M16-compatible magazines. The versions differ in that the MD-2 uses the side-folding buttstock from the FN FAL 'para' variant, while the MD-3 uses the fixed polymer stock of the standard FAL. The MD-2 series contains many FAL-derived parts, some of which remain interchangeable with the original FAL, and others which are modified to suit the new design.
The MD-2 and MD-3 rifles are the result of redesigning the FN FAL to use the 5.56x45mm NATO round in place of the FAL's 7.62mm NATO chambering. The MD-2/MD-3 series externally resembles a short-barrelled FAL, but with an M16 magazine. Early MD-1 prototypes retained the FAL-type tilting bolt with a locking shoulder immediately behind the magazine well. This was not found to work well with the 5.56mm round, so subsequent prototypes and the final design incorporated an M16-type 7-lug rotating bolt into the design. The FAL's short-stroke gas piston, which is actuated by gas bled from the barrel via a vent located in the foresight housing, and which impinges upon the separate bolt carrier, is retained. Feeding is from STANAG 4179 M16-compatible magazines. The versions differ in that the MD-2 uses the side-folding buttstock from the FN FAL 'para' variant, while the MD-3 uses the fixed polymer stock of the standard FAL. The MD-2 series contains many FAL-derived parts, some of which remain interchangeable with the original FAL, and others which are modified to suit the new design.
| IMBEL MD | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Brazil |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Military Police, BOPE and National Force (Brazil) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1983 |
| Manufacturer | IMBEL |
| Produced | 1985— |
| Variants | MD-1, MD-2, MD-3 and MD-4 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.40 kg (9 lb 10 oz) |
| Length | 1,010 mm (39.8 in) (stock extended); 764 mm (30.1 in), stock folded |
| Barrel length | 453 mm (17.8 in) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO (STANAG 4172) |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700 rounds/min |
| Effective range | 300 m (~328 yd) |
| Feed system | Various STANAG Magazines. |
| Sights | Aperture rear sight, hooded post front sight |
