SALW Guide

Global distribution and visual

identification

Iran
Country report
https://salw-guide.bicc.de
Weapons Distribution SALW Guide

Weapons Distribution
The following list shows the weapons which can be found in Iran and whether there is data
on who holds these weapons:

AGS-17 G IGLA (SA-16 / SA-18) G

AK-47 / AKM G M1919 Browning G

AK-74 U M79 G

Beretta M 12 U
MG 3 / MG 42 U

Browning M 2 G Mosin-Nagant Rifle Mod. U

1891
Colt M1911 U
PK G
DShk G
PPSH 41 G
Dragunov SVD U
RPG 2 U
FIM-92 Stinger G
RPG 7 G
FN High Power U
RPK G
HK 21 G
Sterling L2A3 U
HK G3 G
Strela (SA-7 / SA-14) U
HK MP5 U
UZI G
HK33 G

Explanation of symbols
Country of origin

Licensed production

Production without a licence

G Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by Governmental agencies.

N Non-Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by non-Governmental armed
groups.

U Unspecified: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is found in the country, but do not specify
whether it is held by Governmental agencies or non-Governmental armed groups.

2 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide Weapons Distribution

It is entirely possible to have a combination of tags beside each country. For example, if
country X is tagged with a G and a U, it means that at least one source of data identifies
Governmental agencies as holders of weapon type Y, and at least one other source confirms
the presence of the weapon in country X without specifying who holds it.

Note: This application is a living, non-comprehensive database, relying to a great extent on

active contributions (provision and/or validation of data and information) by either SALW
experts from the military and international renowned think tanks or by national and regional
focal points of small arms control entities.

salw-guide.bicc.de 3
 SALW Guide

AGS-17
The AGS-17 grenade launcher was first developed in the
1930s, but due to the Second World War, a first prototype
was only completed in 1969. The production of the AGS-17
started in 1971 and ceased in 1989, but numerous units and
variants are still in use today. The weapon gained
prominence when it was widely operated by Soviet troops in
the war in Afghanistan in the 1980s. The AGS-17 and its
successor, the AGS-30, may be used by infantry, though they are often mounted on
helicopters and other vehicles.

Category Hand-held under-barrel and Mounted Grenade Launchers

Operating system blow-back, selective-fire
Cartridge 30x29 mm
Length 840 mm
Feeding metal link belt with 29 rds

The following ammunition can be used by the AGS-17:

30x29 mm
Bullet diameter 30 mm
NO IMAGE
Case length 29 mm

Overall length –

AK-47 / AKM
The AK 47 (Designed 1946-1948) is best
described as a hybrid of previous rifle
technology innovations: the trigger, double
locking lugs and unlocking raceway of the M1
Garand/M1 carbine, the safety mechanism of
the John Browning designed Remington Model
8 rifle, and the gas system and layout of the Sturmgewehr 44. There are many variants. The
weapons are used by the former Warsaw Pact countries, and they are still in service with

4 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

numerous armed forces, both regular and irregular. The model and its variants remain the
most popular and widely used rifles in the world because of its reliability under harsh
conditions, low production costs.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Cartridge 7.62 x 39mm
Length 870 mm
Feeding Box magazine

AK 47 AKM

left view
left view

AK 47 AK 47

right view
right view

AKM AKM

right view
right view

salw-guide.bicc.de 5
 SALW Guide

AKM Kalashnikov & variants

001/md-01-300w.png
marking details (RUS)

right view

Kalashnikov & variants Kalashnikov & variants

001/md-02-300w.png 001/md-03-300w.jpg
marking details (RUS) marking details (EGY)

Kalashnikov & variants 001/md-01-b-300w.png

001/md-04-300w.jpg
marking details (CHN)

Type: CHN Model 56 (AK47) Type: CHN Model 56 (AK47)

001/ws-02-300w.png
weapon specifics

weapon specifics

6 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Type: Former Yugoslavia Zastava M 70 Type: Former Yugoslavia Zastava M 70

(AKM) (AKM)
001/ws-03-300w.png
weapon specifics
weapon specifics

Type: Former Yugoslavia Zastava M 70 Type: AMD 65 (HUN)

(AKM)

weapon specifics

weapon specifics

Type: PA Model 86 (ROU) AK 47

weapon specifics
weapon specifics

The following ammunition can be used by the AK-47 / AKM:

salw-guide.bicc.de 7
 SALW Guide

7.62 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 38.7 mm

Overall length 56 mm

AK-74
The AK 74 (Designed 1974) is an adaptation of
the 7.62mm AKM assault rifle and features
several important design improvements.
These modifications were primarily the result
of converting the rifle to the intermediate-
caliber 5.45x39mm cartridge, in fact, some
early models are reported to have been converted AKMs, with the barrel re-sleeved to
5.45x39mm. The result is a more accurate and reliable rifle than the AKM. The AK-74 and
AKM share an approximate 50% parts commonality (interchangeable are most often pins,
springs and screws). There are many variants. The weapons are used by the former Warsaw
Pact countries, and they are still in service with numerous armed forces, both regular and
irregular. The model and its variants remain the most popular and widely used rifles in the
world because of its reliability under harsh conditions, low production costs.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Cartridge 5.45 x 39mm
Length 943 mm
Feeding Box magazine

AK 74 Type: modern AK 74

left view
right view

8 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Type: AKS 74 Type: AK 74U

left view
left view

Type: Vektor R4 (South Africa) Kalashnikov & variants

026/md-01-300w.png
marking details (DEU)

left view, the version is very similar to the Galil

and the Valmet assault rifles

Kalashnikov & variants Kalashnikov & variants

026/md-02-300w.png
marking details

marking details (GDR rifle)

The following ammunition can be used by the AK-74:

5.45 x 39mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 9
 SALW Guide

Bullet diameter 5.6 mm

Case length 39.82 mm

Overall length 57 mm

Beretta M 12
The weapon has three safeties: a manual safety
which blocks the trigger; an automatic safety on
the rear grip which immobilizes the trigger and
blocks the bolt in a closed position; and a safety
on the cocking handle locking the bolt in case it
does not retract sufficiently. The short length of
the Beretta is achieved by use of a barrel
recessed into the bolt head, known as a telescoping bolt. This reduces length without
reducing barrel length or bolt weight.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback operated, selectively-fired, fires from open bolt
Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 418 mm
Feeding Box magazine

Beretta M 12 Beretta M 12

left view

left view

10 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Beretta M 12

weapon specifics, top view shows folding stock

The following ammunition can be used by the Beretta M 12:

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

Browning M 2
The Browning .50 caliber machine gun has been used
extensively as a vehicle weapon and for aircraft armament. The
M2 fires from a closed bolt, operated on the short recoil principle.
Nearly 5 million items were produced.

Category Heavy Machine Guns

Operating system Fires from a short bolt, operated on the short recoil principle
Cartridge 12.7 x 99 mm NATO (.50BMG)
Length 1650 mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 11
 SALW Guide

Feeding Belt

Type: Browning M2HB-QCB Type: Browning M2HB

right view, Browning M2HB air-cooled machine

left view, Browning M2HB-QCB air-cooled
gun on M3 tripod
machine gun of current manufacture with
quick-change barrel, on M3 tripod

Type: Browning M2E2

weapon specifics, Browning M2E2 new Browing

modification with quick-change barrel

The following ammunition can be used by the Browning M 2:

12.7 x 99 mm NATO (.50BMG)

Bullet diameter 13 mm
NO IMAGE
Case length 99 mm

Overall length 138 mm

Colt M1911
Technically, the M1911, also known as Colt Government, is a
recoil operated, locked breech semi-auto pistol. It has single
action trigger with frame mounted safety that locks the
hammer and the slide. Hammer could be locked either in
cocked or in lowered position, allowing the gun to be carried in
"cocked and locked" state, with safety on, hammer cocked and

12 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

round chambered. Additional automated safety incorporated into rear of the grip and locks
the action when gun not held in the hand properly. The M 1911 was manufactured by many
companies in many countries, partly in the original form, partly modified, partly under
license and partly without a license. It was exported to many countries after WW II, and it
was in service with the US armed forces for more then 70 years.

Category Self-Loading Pistols & Revolvers

Operating system Short recoil operated, closed breech, single action, semi-automatic
Cartridge .45 ACP
Length 219 mm
Feeding Box magazine

Colt M1911 Colt M1911

left view
right view

Colt M1911 Colt M1911

marking details

marking details

salw-guide.bicc.de 13
 SALW Guide

Colt M1911 Colt M1911

marking details

marking details

Colt M1911

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the Colt M1911:

.45 ACP
Bullet diameter 11.5 mm

Case length 22.8 mm

Overall length 32 mm

14 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

DShk
The DShk was exported to many countries, and it can be
found all over the world because the gun is used in
many conflicts. The weapon was in service with several
armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be
found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Heavy Machine Guns

Operating system Gas operated, belt fed, air cooled, selective fire
Cartridge 12.7 x 108 mm
Length 1625 mm
Feeding Belt

DShk DShk

left view

right view

salw-guide.bicc.de 15
 SALW Guide

right view

The following ammunition can be used by the DShk:

12.7 x 108 mm
Bullet diameter 12.98 mm
NO IMAGE
Case length 108 mm

Overall length 147.5 mm

Dragunov SVD
The Dragunov SVD uses a short-stroke gas
piston and the gas chamber has a two-position
manual gas regulator. Barrels locked by
rotating bolt with three lugs. The safety is
somewhat reminiscent in its appearance to that of Kalashnikov AK-Assault rifles, although
the internal design of the trigger unit is different, and there is no provisions for full
automatic fire. The trigger unit is assembled on a separate removable base that also
incorporates a trigger guard. It is used by all former Warsaw Pact countries, and it is in
service with numerous armed forces, both regular and irregular. The Yugoslavian model
“Zastava Model 76” has a solid, non-skeletonized stock, and is chambered in 7.92x57mm.

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Gas operated, short stroke, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
Cartridge 7.62 x 54mm R
Length 1225 mm

16 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Feeding Box magazine

original SVD rifle with wooden furniture Dragunov SVD

left view right view

Type: SVD-S rifle Al Kadesih rifle (Iraq)

four long slots instead of six short slots

right view, with folding butt and polymer
furniture

Dragunov SVD Type: FPK rifle (ROU)

right view
The FPK is a modified Kalashnikov AK rifle
restyled to look like a SVD and is chambered for
7.62x54R.

Dragunov SVD Dragunov SVD

marking details

marking details

salw-guide.bicc.de 17
 SALW Guide

Dragunov SVD

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the Dragunov SVD:

7.62 x 54mm R
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 53.72 mm

Overall length 77.16 mm

FIM-92 Stinger
Its combat debut occurred during the Falklands War. The
Stinger was also used by the Afghan Mujahedeen, the
Hamas and the UNITA. The Central Intelligence Agency
supplied nearly 500 Stingers (some sources claim
1,500–2,000) to the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan. After the
1989 Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the United
States attempted to buy back the Stinger missiles, with a
55 million dollar program to buy back around 300 missiles. The U.S. government collected
most of the Stingers it had delivered, but some of them found their way into Iran, Qatar and
North Korea.

Category Portable Launcher of Anti-aircraft Missile Systems

Operating system MANPAD

18 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Cartridge

FIM-92 Stinger FIM-92 Stinger

weapon specifics

weapon specifics

Type: missile for the FIM-92 Stinger FIM-92 Stinger

weapon specifics

FIM-92 Stinger

weapon specifics

The following ammunition can be used by the FIM-92 Stinger:

salw-guide.bicc.de 19
 SALW Guide

FN High Power
The High Power is one of the most widely used military pistols of all
time, having been used by the armed forces of over 50 countries.
The pistol is often referred to as an HP (for "Hi Power" or "High
Power") or as a GP (for the French term, "Grande Puissance").
Technically, the High Power pistol, also known as Browning HP 35,
GP 35 or Model 1935, is a recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It
uses linkless barrel to slide locking invented by Browning. The
trigger is single action, with external hammer. Original HPs featured frame mounted safety
at the left side of the frame, that locks both sear and slide. Modern versions, since Mark II,
also featured ambidextrous safety levers, that are also more comfortable to operate.

Category Self-Loading Pistols & Revolvers

Operating system Short recoil operated, locked breech, single action
Cartridge .40 S&W
9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 200 mm
Feeding Box magazine

FN High Power FN High Power

left view
right view

20 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

FN High Power FN High Power

marking details

right view

FN High Power

weapon specifics

The following ammunition can be used by the FN High Power:

.40 S&W
Bullet diameter 10.2 mm

Case length 21.6 mm

Overall length 28.8 mm

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 21
 SALW Guide

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

HK 21
The basic action of the machine gun, which
received the company designation HK 21, was
similar to that of the G3 rifle. The HK 21 fired
from a closed bolt (not that big issue since its
heavy barrel was really quick-detachable) and,
unlike most machine guns, its belt feeding module was located below the receiver. Variants:
HK11E automatic rifle (magazine fed, 7.62 mm) HK13E automatic rifle (magazine fed, 5.56
mm) HK21E general purpose machine gun (belt feed, 7.62 mm) HK23E light machine gun
(belt-fed, 5.56 mm). The "E" stands for "Export" model.

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating system Selective fire roller-back blowback
Cartridge 7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester
Length 1140 mm
Feeding Box magazine

HK 21E HK 21E

left view right view

22 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

HK 21E HK 21E

right view right view

HK 21E HK 21E

top view bottom view

HK 21E HK 21E
028/md-01-300w.jpg 028/md-02-300w.jpg
marking details marking details

HK 21E HK 21E
028/md-03-300w.jpg 028/ws-01-300w.jpg
marking details weapon specifics

The following ammunition can be used by the HK 21:

7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester

salw-guide.bicc.de 23
 SALW Guide

Bullet diameter 7.82 mm

Case length 51.18 mm

Overall length 69.85 mm

HK G3
The G3 constructed from Heckler & Koch (H&K) in
cooperation with a Spanish agency Centro de Estudios
Técnicos de Materiales Especiale (CETME) in the beginning
Model A & B, after further development, West German Army
(Bundeswehr) implemented this rifle. The furniture can be
wood or plastic. The plastic stock may be green, sand or
black. There is also a collapsing stock. The rifle is hammer
fired and has a trigger mechanism with a 3-position fire selector switch that is also the
manual safety toggle that secures the weapon from accidentally discharging.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Roller-delayed blowback
Cartridge 7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester
Length 1023 mm
Feeding Box magazine

Type: G3 A1 Type: G3 A3

left view left view

Type: G3 A3ZF Type: G3 A4

left view
left view

24 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Type: G3 A3 Type: South African G3

right view The butt is very similar to the FN FAL

Type: CETEME rifles (Spain) Type: CETEME rifles (Spain)

right view

right view,CETEME model B, the "father of the

G3 rifle

HK G3 HK G3

right view

marking details

salw-guide.bicc.de 25
 SALW Guide

HK G3 HK G3

marking details marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the HK G3:

7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester

Bullet diameter 7.82 mm

Case length 51.18 mm

Overall length 69.85 mm

HK MP5
Though the Heckler & Koch MP5 was designed
in the 1960s, it is still one of the most widely
deployed sub-machine guns and has been
developed into a family with numerous variants.
The gun features either a fixed or a sliding
(telescoping) butt-stock. The original MP5 offers
a choice of single shot or automatic fire,
whereas later models received a burst-fire device, allowing two or three-round-bursts each
time the trigger is operated. Current models remain in (licensed) production in several
countries, though The China North Industries Corporation, officially abbreviated as Norinco,
manufactures an unlicensed copy, the NR08.

Category Submachine Guns

26 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Operating system delayed-blowback; selective-fire

Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 680 mm
Feeding detachable box magazine

HK MP 5 HK MP 5

left view left view, stock extended

HK MP 5 HK MP 5

left view right view

salw-guide.bicc.de 27
 SALW Guide

HK MP 5 HK MP 5

right view right view

HK MP 5 HK MP 5

right view top view

HK MP5 HK MP 5
094/md-01-300w.jpg 094/md-02-300w.jpg
marking details marking details: HK MP 5 Kal. 9 mm x 19 80244

HK MP 5 HK MP 5
094/md-03-300w.jpg 094/ws-01-300w.jpg
marking details: HK MP 5 weapon specifics

HK MP 5 HK MP 5
094/ws-02-300w.jpg 094/ws-03-300w.jpg
weapon specifics weapon specifics

28 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

HK MP 5
094/ws-04-300w.jpg
weapon specifics

The following ammunition can be used by the HK MP5:

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

HK33
The Heckler & Koch HK33 entered into production in 1963.
The HK33 is produced in five variants: 1) with a fixed butt;
2) with a retractable butt; 3) fitted with a bipod; 4) as a
sniper rifle with telescopic sight; and 5) as the HK22K
carbine version. An “E” added to the weapon’s name
identifies models for export, while a “K” added to the end
of the weapon’s name refers to shortened models.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system delayed-blowback, selective-fire
Cartridge 5.56 x 45mm / .223 Remington
Length 920 mm
Feeding detachable box magazine

salw-guide.bicc.de 29
 SALW Guide

HK 33 HK 33

left view left view

HK 33 HK 33

right view top view

HK 33 HK 33
127/md-01-300w.jpg
marking details

bottom view

30 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

The following ammunition can be used by the HK33:

5.56 x 45mm / .223 Remington

Bullet diameter 5.7 mm

Case length 44.7 mm

Overall length 57.4 mm

IGLA (SA-16 / SA-18)

The main differences between the SA-18, the SA-16 and its
predecessor Strela-3 (SA-14) included an optional
“Identification Friend or Foe”-system to prevent firing on
friendly aircraft, an automatic lead and super elevation to
simplify shooting and reduce minimum firing range, a
slightly larger rocket, reduced drag and better guidance
system extend maximum range and improve performance
against fast and maneuverable targets, an improved lethality on target achieved by a
combination of delayed impact fusing, terminal maneuver to hit the fuselage rather than jet
nozzle, an additional charge to set off the remaining rocket fuel (if any) on impact, an
improved resistance to infrared countermeasure, and slightly improved seeker sensitivity.
Several guerrilla and terrorist organizations are also known to have Iglas.

Category Portable Launcher of Anti-aircraft Missile Systems

Operating system MANPAD
Cartridge
Feeding front-loaded

Type: SA-18 Type: SA-16

weapon specifics

salw-guide.bicc.de 31
 SALW Guide

Igla Igla

marking details

marking details

Igla Type: SA-18

weapon specifics

marking details

32 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Igla SA-18 (Igla)

weapon specifics, missile, launch tube and grip

stick

marking details

Type: SA-16 (IGLA-1)

missile and launch tube

The following ammunition can be used by the IGLA (SA-16 / SA-18):

salw-guide.bicc.de 33
 SALW Guide

M1919 Browning
The M1919 is still used by many countries as a
vehicle gun, but it is no longer produced in the
US. It was originally used as a fixed gun in
tanks during the Second World War, but it was
also mounted on a tripod and used by infantry.
The name affix of the M1919 "BAR" means
"Browning Automatic Rifle" and refers to the
original designer John M. Browning, not to the actual manufacturer. Variants of the M1919
are the A1; A2; A3; A4; A5; A6; M37 and AN/M2.

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating system short recoil, automatic
Cartridge .30-06 M1
7.62 x 25mm Tokarev
Length 1044 mm
Feeding 250-round belt

M1919 Browning M1919 Browning

left view left view

34 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

M1919 Browning M1919 Browning

right view top view

M1919 Browning M1919 Browning

119/md-01-300w.jpg
marking details

bottom view

M1919 Browning M1919 Browning

119/md-02-300w.jpg 119/ws-01-300w.jpg
marking details weapon specifics

The following ammunition can be used by the M1919 Browning:

.30-06 M1
Bullet diameter 7.8 mm
NO IMAGE
Case length 63.3 mm

Overall length 85 mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 35
 SALW Guide

7.62 x 25mm Tokarev

Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 25 mm

Overall length 34 mm

M79
Many different ammunition types were produced for the
M79 (and subsequently for the M203), outside of the
smoke and illumination rounds three main types
emerged: Explosive, Close-range and Non Lethal Crowed
Control.

Category Hand-held under-barrel and Mounted Grenade Launchers

Operating system Break-action
Cartridge 40 x 46 mm grenade
Length 731 mm
Feeding breech-loaded

M79 M79

left view

right view

The following ammunition can be used by the M79:

40 x 46 mm grenade
Bullet diameter –

Case length –

36 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Overall length –
NO IMAGE

MG 3 / MG 42
The MG is a short-recoil operated, air cooled,
belt fed weapon which fires from an open bolt.
The barrel is quick-removable, and can be
replaced in less than six seconds by a properly
trained crew. The action of the weapon is
operated by the recoil of the locked barrel, assisted by a muzzle booster which uses
pressure from the muzzle blast to increase the recoil impulse. This is a simple and solid
system. Variants: MG 1: Rheinmetall variant of the MG 42, most notably rechambered to fire
7.62×51mm NATO. MG 1A1 (MG 42/58): As MG 1, but with sights properly calibrated for the
new round. Sights refitted to existing MG 1s. MG 1A2 (MG 42/59): MG 1A1 variant; product
improved with longer ejection port, heavy bolt and friction ring buffer. MG 1A3: MG 1A2
variant; product improvement of all major components. MG 1A4: MG 1 variant; for fixed
mount armor use. MG 1A5: MG 1A3 variant; MG1A3s converted to MG1A4 standard. MG 2:
Designation for all wartime MG 42s rechambered to 7.62×51mm NATO. MG 3: MG 1A3
variant; product improved with AA rear sight. MG 3E: MG 3 variant; reduced weight model
(roughly 1.3 kg lighter), entered into late 1970s NATO small arms trials. MG 3A1: MG 3
variant; for fixed mount armor use.

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating system recoil-operated, roller locked
Cartridge
Feeding belt fed

MG 3 / MG 42 MG 3 / MG 42
131/lv-01-300w.jpg 131/lv-02-300w.jpg
left view, mounted on a bipod left view, mounted on a tripod

MG 3 / MG 42
131/rv-01-300w.jpg
right view

salw-guide.bicc.de 37
 SALW Guide

The following ammunition can be used by the MG 3 / MG 42:

Mosin-Nagant Rifle Mod. 1891

This Russian “3-line” caliber (.30, 7,62mm) rifle existed in
several variations and was several times adopted and
modernized. Copies of this rifle were manufactured in
different countries, like China, Hungary and Poland. Some of
these were sporterized and converted to various calibers.
Large numbers of these weapons were imported into both
France and USA. The model 91/44 is shorter and has an
attached bayonet. It was in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular,
and it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Manually operated, rotating bolt
Cartridge 7.62 x 54mm R
Length 1306 mm
Feeding Internal magazine

Mosin-Nagant Rifle U.S. Rifle, Model of 1916

right view right view

Mosin-Nagant Rifle

marking details

38 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Mosin-Nagant Rifle

marking details

Mosin-Nagant Rifle

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the Mosin-Nagant Rifle Mod. 1891:

7.62 x 54mm R
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 39
 SALW Guide

Case length 53.72 mm

Overall length 77.16 mm

PK
The PK was made under license by many
companies in many countries. It was exported
to many countries and can be found all over
the world because the gun is used in many
conflicts. The weapon was in service with
several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be found in many countries in
Asia and Africa.

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating Gas operated, air cooled, belt fed weapon with a quick-detachable
system barrel
Cartridge 7.62 x 54mm R
Length 1173 mm
Feeding (Boxed) belt

PK PK

right view

right view

40 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

PK PK

marking details
marking details

PK

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the PK:

7.62 x 54mm R
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 53.72 mm

Overall length 77.16 mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 41
 SALW Guide

PPSH 41
The PPSh 41 was one of major infantry
weapons of the Soviet troops during the World
war 2. Retired from Soviet Army service soon
after the WW2, the PPSh was widely exported
to some pro-Soviet countries around the
world, including China, Vietnam and many
African countries. It was an effective, but somewhat crude weapon, reliable in combat but
not without certain flaws. It has an excessive rate of fire, and its drums were uncomfortable
to carry and prone to feed problems once the spring is weaken. The weapon was in service
with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be found in many countries
in Asia and Africa. Nearly 6 million items were produced.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, fired from open bolt
Cartridge 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev
Length 843 mm
Feeding Drum magazine

MP PPSH 41 MP PPSH 41

left view right view

MP PPSH 41 MP PPSH 41

marking details
marking details

42 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

MP PPSH 41

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the PPSH 41:

7.62 x 25mm Tokarev

Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 25 mm

Overall length 34 mm

RPG 2
The RPG 2 design is based on the German Panzerfaust anti-tank
weapon developed during World War II. It was made under license
by many companies in many countries (e.g. the B-40 in Vietnam), it
was exported to many countries, and it can be found all over the
world because the gun is used in many conflicts. The weapon was
in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and
it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Portable Anti-tank Guns

Operating system Recoilless launch / non rocket booster
Cartridge
Length 650 mm
Feeding front-loaded

salw-guide.bicc.de 43
 SALW Guide

RPG 2 RPG 2

left view

left view

The following ammunition can be used by the RPG 2:

RPG 7
The RPG 7 was made under license by many
companies in many countries, it was exported
to many countries, and it can be found all over
the world because the gun is used in many
conflicts. The weapon was in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular,
and it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Portable Anti-tank Guns

Operating system Recoilless launch + rocket booster
Cartridge
Length 650 mm
Feeding front-loaded, manual reload

RPG 7 RPG 7

left view

left view

44 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Type: RPG 7 - Chinese Type 69 RPG 7

left view left view

Type: PG-7VM grenade Type: PG-7VL HEAT grenade

left view
left view

Type: PG-7VR tandem (dual warhead) HEAT Type: TBG-7V thermobaric (FAE) grenade
grenade

left view
left view

Type: OG-7V fragmentation antipersonell

grenade (1999)

left view

salw-guide.bicc.de 45
 SALW Guide

Type: RPG-7D anti-tank grenade launcher RPG 7

Version for airborne troops, disassembled for

transportation / airdrop

marking details

RPG 7

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the RPG 7:

RPK
The RPK was made under license by many companies in
many countries. It was exported to many countries, and it
can be found all over the world because the gun is used in
many conflicts. The weapon was in service with several
armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be
found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

46 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating system Gas operated, magazine fed, air cooled, selective fire
Cartridge 7.62 x 39mm
Length 1040 mm
Feeding Box magazine

RPK RPK

left view
left view

RPK Type: Yugoslavian Zastava M72

right view

right view

RPK RPK

marking details marking details

salw-guide.bicc.de 47
 SALW Guide

RPK

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the RPK:

7.62 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 38.7 mm

Overall length 56 mm

Sterling L2A3
Sterling submachine guns , were purchased in more than 70
countries. However, it must be noted that these weapons
were rather popular among British troops because of their
relatively compact size, adequate firepower and accuracy
and good reliability. Special "high power, submachine-gun
only" ammunition was procured by British army for Sterling
submachine guns. This ammunition was absolutely safe in
Sterling submachine guns, but can cause extensive wear to many 9mm pistols designed for
commercial 9x19mm ammunition.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, select-fire, fires from open bolt

48 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Length 481 mm
Feeding Box magazine

Sterling MP L2A3 Type: CETME C2

left view

left view, ESP, submachine gun, 9 x 23 mm

Largo

Suppressed version L34A1 Sterling MP L2A3

left view
right view

Type: FAMAE PAF 9 mm Suppressed version L34A1

right view
right view, Chilean copy of the Sterling
submachine gun with external differences such
as retractable wire stock and missing barrel
shroud

salw-guide.bicc.de 49
 SALW Guide

Sterling MP L2A3 Sterling MP L2A3

marking details marking details

Sterling MP L2A3 Sterling MP L2A3

weapon specifics

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the Sterling L2A3:

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

50 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

Strela (SA-7 / SA-14)

The missile launcher system consists of the
green missile launch tube containing the
missile, a grip stock and a cylindrical thermal
battery. The launch tube is reloadable at
depot, but missile rounds are delivered to fire
units in their launch tubes. The device can be
reloaded up to five times. The Strela and its variants have been widely used in nearly every
regional conflict since 1968.

Category Portable Launcher of Anti-aircraft Missile Systems

Operating system MANPAD
Cartridge
Feeding front-loaded

Strela Type: Strela grenade

weapon specifics left view

Type: SA-7a Type: ANZA MK-II

right view

AKA: 9K32, Strela-2, and "Grail"

salw-guide.bicc.de 51
 SALW Guide

Type: SA-7b Type: SA-7a (U)

AKA: Strela-2M, RIIN 9K32M, USD SA-7b, NATOD

SA-7 “Grail’’Mod 1, HN-5 Hong Nu-5, Anza MKI

Type: SA-7b (U) Strela

marking details

52 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

Type: SA-14 Strela

AKA: 9K34, Strela-3, and, “Gremlin’’

marking details

Strela Strela

marking details marking details

salw-guide.bicc.de 53
 SALW Guide

Strela Type: SA-14 (U)

marking details

Strela Strela

marking details marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the Strela (SA-7 / SA-14):

54 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

UZI
The UZI and the Czechoslovakian series Sa 23 to Sa 26 were the
first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design, in which the bolt
wraps around the breech end of the barrel. This allows the barrel to
be moved far back into the receiver and the magazine to be housed
in the pistol grip, allowing for a heavier, slower-firing bolt in a
shorter, better- balanced weapon. The pistol grip is fitted with a grip
safety, making it difficult to fire accidentally. There were built
further variants, also as Military variants, such as Mini Uzi, Micro Uzi and Uzi Pistol. Mini-
and Micro-Uzi submachine guns were produced either in open-bolt or closed-bolt versions.
The Uzi was also copied respectively cloned and spread around the whole world.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, fired from open bolt
Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 470 mm
Feeding Box magazine

Type: CHN, Norinco Uzi MP UZI

left view, , sporter model single action, semi-

right view
automatic

MP UZI MP UZI

right view

right view

salw-guide.bicc.de 55
 SALW Guide

Type: Mini Uzi Type: Micro Uzi

right view right view

MP UZI MP UZI

marking details
marking details

MP UZI

marking details

The following ammunition can be used by the UZI:

56 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

salw-guide.bicc.de 57
Ammunition head stamps SALW Guide

Ammunition head stamps

The following is a non-comprehensive overview of ammunitions head stamps used within
this country for ammunition marking.

IRANIAN AMMUNITION FACTORY, TEHRAN

Tagging of Sources
We believe that our Guide should be as transparent as possible without endangering the
confidentiality of our sources. Rather than name the exact source for each unit of data, we
have created tags so that users can at least know whether the data comes from a primary
or secondary source, and by which medium it can or has been found. All incoming data is
validated and then tagged by the project team at BICC before it enters our database.

Sources are tagged according to the following criteria:

1. Primary Sources:
These are presentations of facts. They are proof of an SALW event (e.g. a transfer, sighting,
misuse, etc.) because the source was created at the time of the event itself. Primary
sources as usually original documents such as transfer authorizations, firearms legislation,
or academic journals presenting results of a study on SALW holdings in a particular country,
for example. However, they can also be information offered by a person with direct
knowledge of an SALW event or who has documented an SALW event at the time that it
happened.

2. Secondary Sources:
These are interpretations or evaluation of facts. Secondary sources contain commentary
and analysis of SALW events that are documented in primary sources.

Sources are also tagged according to the dominant medium of delivery:

A. Written - the source is based on written words.

B. Oral - the source is based on spoken words.
C. Visual - the source is based on seen events or optical images.

58 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide Ammunition head stamps

These criteria make our tags two-dimensional. While the process of classifying sources is a
primarily subjective one, the project team at BICC has developed the following table to
serve as an example of possible sources within each category.

Table: Examples of sources on SALW distribution

Primary Secondary

Written • Fact books • Wikipedia

• Weapons Transfer • Literature reviews
authorizations • Training or safety manuals
• End-user certificates on gun control, ammunition,
• Transcripts of interviews, legal physical stockpile security
proceedings, speeches/ management)
presentations, meetings, • Minutes of meetings,
conferences or symposia conferences, symposia
• Newspaper articles • Indexes (e.g. Global
• Written correspondence (e.g. Militarization Index)
letters, emails, text messages, • Newspaper articles
etc.)
Etc.
• Blogs
• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Treaties, constitution, laws
• Records of organizations (e.g.
annual reports)
• Surveys, questionnaires

Etc...

Oral • Interviews with experts, • Speeches, panel

including radio or telephone presentations, etc. on data
• Legal proceedings provided by experts
• Speeches or interventions by
Etc...
experts or national
representatives in government
or international meetings

Etc ...

salw-guide.bicc.de 59
About the Guide SALW Guide

Visual • Artifacts (e.g. the weapons • PowerPoint presentations on

themselves, ammunition) results found by experts
• Photographs of weapons,
Etc...
ammunition, etc.
• Videos (e.g. YouTube, those
recorded by mobile phone)
• Television documentaries, news
reports

Etc ...

Table: Example tags

Source (sample) Type of Medium of

source delivery

IHS Jane’s Weapons Infantry (2015-2016) primary written

Panel discussion of weapons use of non-state secondary oral

armed groups

Documentary on paramilitaries in Colombia primary visual

About the Guide

The Interactive Guide on Small Arms and Light Weapons is an open access tool,
designed to build knowledge on how to identify different types, makes and models of
commonly used SALW in organized violence; to collect data on the global and country-
specific spread of these SALW; and to describe some of their visual and technical
specifications.

The guide is not an exhaustive list of all SALW that are used around the world.

Global SALW control relies on, among other things, data and knowledge of the weapons
themselves. Our aim is that the Guide will be used to support national reporting duties on
SALW holdings; facilitate and ameliorate the collection of data on SALW; and increase
general knowledge of global distribution of SALW.

60 salw-guide.bicc.de
SALW Guide Contact

The interactive Guide was developed by BICC in close cooperation with the Bundeswehr
Verification Center (BwVC), and with the generous support of the Federal Foreign Office,
Germany.

Contact
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) gGmbH
Joseph Farha
Project Coordinator
Pfarrer-Byns-Str. 1
53121 Bonn
Germany
E-Mail: joseph.farha@bicc.de
Internet: www.bicc.de

Zentrum für Verifikationsaufgaben der Bundeswehr (ZVBw) - Bundeswehr

Verification Center (BwVC)
Global Arms- and Proliferation Control Division
Major Laurentius Wedeniwski
Selfkant-Kaserne
Rue de Quimperle 100
52511 Geilenkirchen
E-Mail: LaurentiusWedeniwski@bundeswehr.org

Overall project coordination

Joseph Farha
Project Coordinator
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC)

Responsible for all content (including photos):

Zentrum für Verifikationsaufgaben der Bundeswehr (ZVBw) - Bundeswehr Verification

Center.
Major Laurentius Wedeniwski: Small Arms and Light Weapons Guide (2016).

Responsible for design, editorial and technical implementation:

Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) gGmbH.

Technical management: Joseph Farha
Programming: Rolf Alberth

salw-guide.bicc.de 61