Third Spanish States
11-03-2008, 20:30
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/527/ec3jy9.png
Drawing of the EC-3 w/ extended 7-shell magazine
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/492/ec3snr9.png
Drawing of the EC-3S variant w/ extended 7-shell magazine
Escopeta Compacta 3
Initial Statement
The Confederacy of Third Spanish States has a military force which is unrestrained by certain, typical restrictions which block the development of new ideas and concepts for firearms technologies and solidification of useful designs from ideas which forerunners were not as successful as they could be, like for example the Heckler & Koch G11 and the Techno Arms MAG-7, and thus technically, the entire research and development performed here is like a huge Skunkworks. Although there were plans years ago to launch our already nationally established technologies in the international market, only now it was decided to release this first of many original, unique in design, high quality, reliable, innovative and lightweight weapons technologies that were after almost two decades of continuous research and development inside the Military Network R&D institutes. We have decided to cover a niche of the market with our first release, that of special operations in urban warfare and close quarters combat. This shall precede the establishment of our Joint-Venture Exports, and is our first offer.
The EC-3 we are offering for sale is currently the standard shotgun of the Urban Warfare divisions of the Blackguards Special Forces, while it has also gained a popularity in the civilian market thanks to being a compact, lightweight weapon which offers an excellent cost-efficiency, combining an accessible cost with high quality standards in production, for the MilNet will never cheat any customers with a cheap but low quality product, and all firearms sold accompany both technical and tactical manuals, a loaded standard magazine and cleaning and field stripping kits. But that is not far enough for us to provide such quality, for not only we care about quality and customer service, but also about society and the environment as a whole in the entire world, for both are included in what we consider to be efficient production. Our production processes are all environmentally friendly and done by motivated cooperative members rather than by semi-slaves like in sweatshops and we actively participate in social programs. For each gun or bullet you will buy here, once our virtual storefront is finally opened, and also currently for each unit of the EC-3 or its variants, including their ammunition, not only you are buying a great product with excellent customer service, but you also are indirectly funding an school or hospital which might be anywhere across the globe, and due to the overall quality of life in our main location, these projects we support are usually of international scope.
SPECIAL OFFER!
For any purchase of the EC-3 or of its variants which sum is equal or greater than 100,000 units for military or police forces, your nation will receive, free of charge, training from our consultants regarding the best ways to operate, maintain and repair the EC-3 series shotguns for optimal close quarters battle use, advising on the best tactics, complementary weapons to accompany them for each specific urban warfare CQB situation and training your close quarters combat soldiers to operate them at best efficiency and effectiveness they offer, unless you explicitly would rather not have this free training bonus.*
*Not valid for nations with low to none political freedoms, although exceptions might be made for those with very high levels of civilian liberties. Does not accumulate, if you purchase four times 25,000 units instead of a 100,000 units order it won't be valid for example and only one-time training per customer is allowed.
Otherwise, we can offer training services at reasonable costs for interested parties to use the EC-3 and its variants to their fullest capabilities, with the exception mentioned above only. Finally, we have opened a few shooting schools for civilians as well, which also includes, besides the training specifically given for the EC-3 and for overall use of shotguns, self-defense classes. You can also discuss with us the opening of these schools in your own nation, if the EC-3 and its variants have a good level of sales there. Don't lose this unique opportunity of a service very few provide!
Overview
Developed in 2039, a time when the matrix composite barrels were becoming a stable technological staple of Third Spanish States military for small arms, the futuristic look, but reliable EC-3 is a very compact, pump-action shotgun with a pre-set hybrid trigger action which was developed inheriting concepts from both submachine and shotguns and sharing a few components with the SF-27 submachinegun, as an attempt, fortunately successful, to succeed in what the South African MAG-7, still honorably mentioned for being the forerunner of the concept, have failed, to become a portable handgun designed specifically for Close Quarters Battle which combines the maneuverability of a submachinegun with the firepower of a shotgun and uses either a compact, 50mm long self-developed 12 gauge shell or a 28 gauge shell. Another very interesting feature is also the existence of a reflex suppressor to make the noise berable to ears and a tactical, true suppressor specifically built for it to aid regarding stealth, and the fact its muzzle velocity is always subsonic, while having a still compact enough shape even when suppressed, however its 28 gauge variant obviously won't offer the same noise reduction of a 9mm submachinegun or pistol, but still be an advantage for urban special operations, the niche it was also built for.
Description
Frame and Configuration
With its external frame based on a re-design of the highly modular SF-27 submachinegun, similar in appearance to a crossbreed between it and an enlarged Steyr TMP, its initial, basic design consisted into the removal of the entire bullpup action group into a conventional, but handgrip magazine feed system, like that of weapons like the Uzi and the TMP, and its own stamped steel receiver above contrasting with the mostly polymeric build of its frame, with a logically larger grip, but still built over the same pre-set hybrid action trigger group, which have the first pull pre-set, and allows it to operate even after a jam as a double action trigger only, while re-using the same hammer and spring of the SF-27, and further having a commonality of 30% of shared components with it, including external frame elements and its internally mounted rails, while having also, as an extension, the same ease of being pulled, which stands as a significant advantage compared to the unwieldy 17 pound single stage trigger pull of the MAG-7, which made accurate shots impossible, although a trigger which is relatively easy to manipulate without disrupting accuracy is also, logically, a double-edged knife, for it increases the chances of an accidental pull in the heat of CQB.
To solve this issue, there is an easily reachable, but still far enough to avoid accidental switches, safety selector located in a much more convenient place than the left-sided selector and slide lock button of a MAG-7, and allow a combatant to actually switch the safety lock with this ambidextrous selector by the hand holding the grip without having to remove his other arm from the pump, even when wearing gloves thanks to a rugged and grooved build over the entire handling parts of the frame, which allows a better adherence of hands, while not removing the possibility of "off-hand" firing, a convenient, ergonomic convenience that is one of the main features the forerunner of this concept lacked, supposedly to offer those limitations as safety features. It also lacks a slide lock button, for also three additional reasons.
First, Third Spanish Army, despite all the glamour of the "Revolutionary Freedom Fighter" image associated with its members, already is relatively small compared to its population, having, an active military of about 0.15% of the entire population inside its ranks, which in turns lead it to naturally be a much more elitist force than many more "beefed-up" military forces in the world, with much more rigid and challenging selection processes for candidates willing to join. Second, all urban warfare divisions are naturally among the most experienced and skilled of the military, meaning thus that the "safety" feature of a slide lock would be actually more of a burden to a soldier than anything and lastly, it was always considered an useless feature due to the fact that in close quarters combat, fast reaction times are of essence, and letting such lock would be more of a waste of a few precious fractions of seconds than a safety feature, according to Third Spanish States MilNet consensual mindset. However the easily visible safety selector still makes it safe enough for civilian use in places where short-barreled shotguns are not restricted by anti-gun laws.
Barrel
Although it can be fielded which larger barrels, something which would however kill its primary purpose, it uses a relatively small 300mm barrel, made of, like most Confederacy firearms, either of the cheaper, conventional steel lining or with lightweight ceramic matrix composite lining and alumina silica-Al metal matrix composite overwrap, particularly more expensive than usual due to the homegrown, almost nano-scale industrial process which is used to produce its 508µm(.020 in) oval choke, also classified in the United States as the Modified which offers a good trade-off between the much larger spread of a Cylinder choke and smaller, but more concentrated spread of a Full choke, while offering, coupled with the short length of the barrel and wide rather than tall spread of the shot, the more than enough effective range of 32 meters for one-shot, one-kill while it can still have a significant stopping power at up to 70 meters, specially when fired against lines of enemies, while its oval choke, dubbed as the "Silent Earth choke", due to its thread being also exceptionally easy to be fitted with a suppressor, and it is not too oval in shape to the point that the buckshot would spread too quickly, while it, thanks to more modern manufacture techniques, lacks the erratic patterning of Vietnam War Era's duckbill chokes like those used in the Ithaca 37, but still sacrifices the effective range, which is technically 8 meters inferior to that of a MAG-7, without considering the use of a sabot shell instead, which slightly extends the effective range to about half a dozen of meters.
Suppressor
The overall build of the barrel end, choke thread and the firing mechanism and shells specifically adjusted for subsonic muzzle velocities are no mere coincidences, but purportedly built features to make it relatively easy for its, self-developed telescoped reflex suppressor to be accepted easily over its choke, in a way that was only demonstrated by the equipping of a SPAS-15 with a suppressor. However, that was only for the civilian convenience of avoiding shotguns which can cause permanent damage to hearing, as a truly effective suppressor for tactical use would simply be impossible on a 12 gauge shotgun, however, the EC-3ST(Tactical Suppressor), taking advantage of the modularity of the EC-3 shotgun was developed as a lower, 28 gauge variant fitted with an effective, but somewhat clumsy looking integrated suppressor. The element of surprise is very important in Close Quarters Combat to be kept for as long as possible, specially in Special Operations, one of the niches this weapon was designed for, allowing it to be an effective complement for submachineguns, except when a fireteam is going into a room with hostages to surprise attack terrorists, as, like any shotgun, the use of anything, except maybe for the still dangerous sabot shot, would bring disastrous collateral damage. But the fact it can be suppressed with a comparable level of noise only slightly inferior to that of a suppressed .45 UMP submachinegun is already a feat which makes from its variant which comes with the suppressor already integrated to its frame rather than attachable, an optimal choice to couple stealth with firepower for Special Forces across the world when additional firepower is needed without calling too much attention or sacrificing maneuverability in cramped spaces. The barrel for the 28 gauge follow similar principles in design to the 12 gauge of the non tactically suppressed variants.
Modularity
Its modularity also allows it to be field-stripped easily, while changing its barrel, including producing it for different gauges, is a quite easy process which allows lower gauge variants to be theoretically developed, the barrel change is inspired by the USS-4 Sledgehammer, which likely involves deattaching the suppressor first, logically, when it is fielded, then the modular muzzle cover, and finally the barrel from the action rod, located between the trigger group and the barrel and connected the slide below its extremity, by turning it at 90 degrees clockwise, with the inverse process used for inserting a fresh new barrel. This also is reflected by the ease of cleaning its structure, for most components are modularly built and thus removable, including its hammer, its pump, its receiver and its collapsible rugged polymer stock which shares components with the SF-27.
Ammunition
It uses a natively developed, and currently under active production to attend the predicted demand, subsonic 50mm long 12 gauge shell which is cased by a heat resistant polymer, and the cut in length is justifiable to allow them to be fitted in smoothly curved box magazines capable of carrying up to 5 shells, of either sabot, buckshot, rubber or training types, loaded inside an ergonomically adequate handgrip, while also being developed, coupled with the subsonic muzzle velocity, to offer a more controllable recoil to compensate for the relatively light weight of the EC-3, despite its stock already helping to alleviate the perceived recoil, which is inferior to that of a .50 AE desert eagle, while although not standard, a foregrip can be also attached to its slide, although it tends to delay the pump action, but on the other hand, makes it easily usable by civilians, with its relatively light weight making it of a very useful personal defense weapon. And last but not least, its low muzzle velocity coupled with the availability of rubber rounds allow it to be effectively used for crowd control, although Third Spanish States military has refused to market it for it due to some strange, perhaps ironic principles that "Less-lethal ammunition is tyranny against freedom of speech!". For the EC-3T and EC-3ST variants, a full powered polymer cased 28 gauge shell is instead used, which allows a tactically effective level of suppression at the expense of reduced firepower.
Add-ons
Regarding attachments, like the SF-27, it has a generous quantity of rails, allowing it to be fielded with, for demonstration purposes only currently, a flashlight, a laser sight and 1.4x optical sight of dubious utility and still having space for a foregrip, although it is commonly only attached to either a laser sight or flashlight according to the situation, while on very rare occasions a 1.2x scope may be slightly useful for more precise aiming against enemies 32 meters to 70 meters away when loaded with sabot shells, while finally a S-3 suppressor can be fitted into a EC-3, however it won't perform as well regarding having a more tolerable noise as a EC-3S with its integrated suppressor, while the 28 ga. EC-3T can also be fielded with a separated ST-3 tactical suppressor, but equally it won't have the same level of suppression as its EC-3ST version with its integrated suppressor. The production process for the choke on its CMC lined barrel is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the MilNet, to the point that domestic production rights for it won't be considered, but that is not a big issue, as CMC lined barrels lack cost competitiveness compared to conventional steel lined ones in the international market.
Conclusion
Therefore, the EC-3 Shotgun, its hearing safe EC-3S, the lower recoil EC-3T and its tactically suppressed EC-3ST variants are reliable, unique choices of firearms for special operations and close quarters combats when the firepower of submachineguns is not enough but a conventional shotgun would be a poor compromise of maneuverability and discretion, and both are focused at potential users ranging from elite police forces to urban warfare special units, and even civilian markets unrestrained by gun control laws where the EC-3, EC-3T and EC-3S would be sold as a personal defense shotguns.
Specifications
Class: Compact Pump-action Shotgun
Structure: Steel lined barrel, carbon reinforced fiber and rugged polymer frame.
Caliber: 50mm long 12 ga. and 28 ga.
Ammunition Types:
- Buckshot
- Sabot
- Rubber
- Training
Muzzle velocity: 300 m/s
Operation: Pump-action
Weight:
- Steel barrel: 3.1 kg empty, 3.7 kg w/ 5-round mag.
- CMC barrel: 2.8kg empty, 3.5 kg w/ 5-round mag.
28 ga.
- Steel barrel: 3kg empty, 3.5kg w/ 7-round mag.
- CMC barrel: 2.7kg empty, 3.2kg w/ 7-round mag.
Length(Stock Extended): 550mm
Length(Stock Collapsed): 500mm
Barrel length: 300mm
Feed system: 5-round detachable box magazine, 7-round extended mag.
Effective range: 32m
Maximum range: 70m
Sights: Modular, default is a ghost ring retractable iron sight
Supported Attachments: Tactical flashlight, laser sight, up to 1.4x scope, foregrip, S-3 reflex shotgun suppressor, ST-3 tactical suppressor "bucket".
Modes: Pump-action
Rate of Fire: 30 rpm(cyclic), 20 rpm(sustained)
Variants:
EC-3S, built with integrated, specifically tailored reflex shotgun suppressor to reduce noise to a level which is healthy to human ears.
-Length(Stock Extended): 670mm
-Length(Stock Collapsed): 620mm
EC-3T, 28 gauge variant.
-Length(Stock Extended): 550mm
-Length(Stock Collapsed): 500mm
EC-3ST, 28 gauge variant built with integrated, specifically tailored suppressor capable of effectively turning it into a "silenced" weapon.
-Length(Stock Extended): 700mm
-Length(Stock Collapsed): 650mm
Cost:
EC-3
-Steel barrel: $800
-CMC barrel: $1,400
EC-3S
-Steel barrel: $900
-CMC barrel: $1,500
EC-3T
-Steel barrel: $700
-CMC barrel: $1,300
EC-3ST
-Steel barrel: $1,300
- CMC barrel: $2,100
Ammunitions and Add-ons Cost:
Like mentioned, all are being continually manufactured based on demand predictions to avoid the scarcity problem due to the fact the EC-3 uses its own 12 ga. shell. Also, as a promotion, for purchases equal or larger than 1000 units of the EC-3 or of the EC-3S, a freebie of 5,000 buckshots, 2,500 sabots, 1,000 rubber and 6,000 training projectiles will be given. You can also produce your own 28 ga. shells instead of buying them, but we'll give no guarantees they'll achieve a subsonic muzzle velocity if you choose to do so instead of purchasing our homegrown subsonic 28 gauge shells.
Add-ons
- S-3 Reflex Suppressor(Compatible with EC-3 only): $150
- ST-3 Tactical Suppressor(ibid with EC-3T only): $700
- 1.2x scope: $250
- 1.4x scope: $300
- Laser sight: $100
- Tactical Flashlight: $50
Ammunition
50mm long 12 gauge polymer cased* shells prices:
- 1000rd Buckshot case: $400
- 1000rd Sabot case: $650
- 1000rd Rubber** case: $450
- 1000rd Training case: $250
- 250rd Buckshot case: $105
- 250rd Sabot case: $180
- 250rd Rubber case: $125
- 250rd Training case: $70
- 50rd Buckshot box: $22
- 50rd Sabot box: $38
- 50rd Rubber box: $23
- 50rd Training box: $17
- 5rd Buckshot box: $3
- 5rd Sabot box: $8
- 5rd Buckshot magazine: $14
- 5rd Sabot magazine: $19
- 5rd Rubber magazine: $16
- 7rd Buckshot magazine: $15
- 7rd Sabot magazine: $22
- 7rd Rubber magazine: $17
- Empty 5rd magazine: $12
- Empty 7rd extended magazine: $13
- Military Package (500 buckshot, 250 sabot, 250 training, 50 5rd magazines): $850
- Police Package (250 buckshot, 100 sabot, 650 rubber, 50 5rd magazines): $900
28 gauge polymer cased* shells prices:
- 1000rd Buckshot case: $280
- 1000rd Sabot case: $450
- 1000rd Rubber** case: $350
- 1000rd Training case: $150
- 250rd Buckshot case: $75
- 250rd Sabot case: $115
- 250rd Rubber case: $90
- 250rd Training case: $40
- 50rd Buckshot box: $15
- 50rd Sabot box: $25
- 50rd Rubber box: $20
- 50rd Training box: $8
- 5rd Buckshot box: $3
- 5rd Sabot box: $5
- 5rd Buckshot magazine: $10
- 5rd Sabot magazine: $15
- 5rd Rubber magazine: $12
- 7rd Buckshot magazine: $12
- 7rd Sabot magazine: $18
- 7rd Rubber magazine: $15
- Empty 5rd magazine: $8
- Empty 7rd extended magazine: $10
- Military Package (500 buckshot, 250 sabot, 250 training, 50 5rd magazines): $500
- Police Package (250 buckshot, 100 sabot, 650 rubber, 50 5rd magazines): $650
*Reduced weight compared to conventional brass or steel cased shells without increased costs
**Less-than-lethal rounds are not for sale to autocracies.
Domestic Production Rights
Limited domestic production rights for the EC-3, EC-3S, EC-3T, EC-3ST and subsonic 12 gauge and self-developed 28 gauge shells with polymer cases are available, except for the ceramic matrix composite lined barrel, which is only available for export, and although 28 gauge shells are already commonplace across the world, you can still license their comparatively reliable polymer cased and subsonic versions developed in the Confederacy at a loss. It should be noticed that the EC-3 is a specialized firearm, which fills a role only the MAG-7 could have done, each right is independent from the other, and also, due to several ideological reasons associated with the creators, and thus rightful owners of this firearm, DPR shall not be granted for dictatorial, totalitarian, fascist and/or theocratic States or any other form of government with curbed political freedoms. Under the following conditions Domestic Production Rights shall be granted:
EC-3
- DPR Cost: 500,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
EC-3S
- DPR Cost: 550,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
EC-3T
- DPR Cost: 450,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
EC-3ST
- DPR Cost: 800,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
50mm 12 gauge subsonic shell
- DPR Cost: 25,000,000
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract.
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
28 gauge polymer cased subsonic shell
- DPR Cost: 5,000,000
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract.
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
* Can be extended depending on the specific case.
(OOC: If you have any objection or criticism about this design feasibility/efficiency not fitting with what it is claimed to be able to do, post them in the NSDraftroom (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=2413). Yes, it's a "niche", specialized firearm for Close Quarters Battle, specially Urban Warfare, but not as much specialized as an underwater AR (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASM-DT_Underwater_Assault_Rifle)
Edit 1: Fixed problems and added an effectively suppressed 28 ga. variant)
Drawing of the EC-3 w/ extended 7-shell magazine
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/492/ec3snr9.png
Drawing of the EC-3S variant w/ extended 7-shell magazine
Escopeta Compacta 3
Initial Statement
The Confederacy of Third Spanish States has a military force which is unrestrained by certain, typical restrictions which block the development of new ideas and concepts for firearms technologies and solidification of useful designs from ideas which forerunners were not as successful as they could be, like for example the Heckler & Koch G11 and the Techno Arms MAG-7, and thus technically, the entire research and development performed here is like a huge Skunkworks. Although there were plans years ago to launch our already nationally established technologies in the international market, only now it was decided to release this first of many original, unique in design, high quality, reliable, innovative and lightweight weapons technologies that were after almost two decades of continuous research and development inside the Military Network R&D institutes. We have decided to cover a niche of the market with our first release, that of special operations in urban warfare and close quarters combat. This shall precede the establishment of our Joint-Venture Exports, and is our first offer.
The EC-3 we are offering for sale is currently the standard shotgun of the Urban Warfare divisions of the Blackguards Special Forces, while it has also gained a popularity in the civilian market thanks to being a compact, lightweight weapon which offers an excellent cost-efficiency, combining an accessible cost with high quality standards in production, for the MilNet will never cheat any customers with a cheap but low quality product, and all firearms sold accompany both technical and tactical manuals, a loaded standard magazine and cleaning and field stripping kits. But that is not far enough for us to provide such quality, for not only we care about quality and customer service, but also about society and the environment as a whole in the entire world, for both are included in what we consider to be efficient production. Our production processes are all environmentally friendly and done by motivated cooperative members rather than by semi-slaves like in sweatshops and we actively participate in social programs. For each gun or bullet you will buy here, once our virtual storefront is finally opened, and also currently for each unit of the EC-3 or its variants, including their ammunition, not only you are buying a great product with excellent customer service, but you also are indirectly funding an school or hospital which might be anywhere across the globe, and due to the overall quality of life in our main location, these projects we support are usually of international scope.
SPECIAL OFFER!
For any purchase of the EC-3 or of its variants which sum is equal or greater than 100,000 units for military or police forces, your nation will receive, free of charge, training from our consultants regarding the best ways to operate, maintain and repair the EC-3 series shotguns for optimal close quarters battle use, advising on the best tactics, complementary weapons to accompany them for each specific urban warfare CQB situation and training your close quarters combat soldiers to operate them at best efficiency and effectiveness they offer, unless you explicitly would rather not have this free training bonus.*
*Not valid for nations with low to none political freedoms, although exceptions might be made for those with very high levels of civilian liberties. Does not accumulate, if you purchase four times 25,000 units instead of a 100,000 units order it won't be valid for example and only one-time training per customer is allowed.
Otherwise, we can offer training services at reasonable costs for interested parties to use the EC-3 and its variants to their fullest capabilities, with the exception mentioned above only. Finally, we have opened a few shooting schools for civilians as well, which also includes, besides the training specifically given for the EC-3 and for overall use of shotguns, self-defense classes. You can also discuss with us the opening of these schools in your own nation, if the EC-3 and its variants have a good level of sales there. Don't lose this unique opportunity of a service very few provide!
Overview
Developed in 2039, a time when the matrix composite barrels were becoming a stable technological staple of Third Spanish States military for small arms, the futuristic look, but reliable EC-3 is a very compact, pump-action shotgun with a pre-set hybrid trigger action which was developed inheriting concepts from both submachine and shotguns and sharing a few components with the SF-27 submachinegun, as an attempt, fortunately successful, to succeed in what the South African MAG-7, still honorably mentioned for being the forerunner of the concept, have failed, to become a portable handgun designed specifically for Close Quarters Battle which combines the maneuverability of a submachinegun with the firepower of a shotgun and uses either a compact, 50mm long self-developed 12 gauge shell or a 28 gauge shell. Another very interesting feature is also the existence of a reflex suppressor to make the noise berable to ears and a tactical, true suppressor specifically built for it to aid regarding stealth, and the fact its muzzle velocity is always subsonic, while having a still compact enough shape even when suppressed, however its 28 gauge variant obviously won't offer the same noise reduction of a 9mm submachinegun or pistol, but still be an advantage for urban special operations, the niche it was also built for.
Description
Frame and Configuration
With its external frame based on a re-design of the highly modular SF-27 submachinegun, similar in appearance to a crossbreed between it and an enlarged Steyr TMP, its initial, basic design consisted into the removal of the entire bullpup action group into a conventional, but handgrip magazine feed system, like that of weapons like the Uzi and the TMP, and its own stamped steel receiver above contrasting with the mostly polymeric build of its frame, with a logically larger grip, but still built over the same pre-set hybrid action trigger group, which have the first pull pre-set, and allows it to operate even after a jam as a double action trigger only, while re-using the same hammer and spring of the SF-27, and further having a commonality of 30% of shared components with it, including external frame elements and its internally mounted rails, while having also, as an extension, the same ease of being pulled, which stands as a significant advantage compared to the unwieldy 17 pound single stage trigger pull of the MAG-7, which made accurate shots impossible, although a trigger which is relatively easy to manipulate without disrupting accuracy is also, logically, a double-edged knife, for it increases the chances of an accidental pull in the heat of CQB.
To solve this issue, there is an easily reachable, but still far enough to avoid accidental switches, safety selector located in a much more convenient place than the left-sided selector and slide lock button of a MAG-7, and allow a combatant to actually switch the safety lock with this ambidextrous selector by the hand holding the grip without having to remove his other arm from the pump, even when wearing gloves thanks to a rugged and grooved build over the entire handling parts of the frame, which allows a better adherence of hands, while not removing the possibility of "off-hand" firing, a convenient, ergonomic convenience that is one of the main features the forerunner of this concept lacked, supposedly to offer those limitations as safety features. It also lacks a slide lock button, for also three additional reasons.
First, Third Spanish Army, despite all the glamour of the "Revolutionary Freedom Fighter" image associated with its members, already is relatively small compared to its population, having, an active military of about 0.15% of the entire population inside its ranks, which in turns lead it to naturally be a much more elitist force than many more "beefed-up" military forces in the world, with much more rigid and challenging selection processes for candidates willing to join. Second, all urban warfare divisions are naturally among the most experienced and skilled of the military, meaning thus that the "safety" feature of a slide lock would be actually more of a burden to a soldier than anything and lastly, it was always considered an useless feature due to the fact that in close quarters combat, fast reaction times are of essence, and letting such lock would be more of a waste of a few precious fractions of seconds than a safety feature, according to Third Spanish States MilNet consensual mindset. However the easily visible safety selector still makes it safe enough for civilian use in places where short-barreled shotguns are not restricted by anti-gun laws.
Barrel
Although it can be fielded which larger barrels, something which would however kill its primary purpose, it uses a relatively small 300mm barrel, made of, like most Confederacy firearms, either of the cheaper, conventional steel lining or with lightweight ceramic matrix composite lining and alumina silica-Al metal matrix composite overwrap, particularly more expensive than usual due to the homegrown, almost nano-scale industrial process which is used to produce its 508µm(.020 in) oval choke, also classified in the United States as the Modified which offers a good trade-off between the much larger spread of a Cylinder choke and smaller, but more concentrated spread of a Full choke, while offering, coupled with the short length of the barrel and wide rather than tall spread of the shot, the more than enough effective range of 32 meters for one-shot, one-kill while it can still have a significant stopping power at up to 70 meters, specially when fired against lines of enemies, while its oval choke, dubbed as the "Silent Earth choke", due to its thread being also exceptionally easy to be fitted with a suppressor, and it is not too oval in shape to the point that the buckshot would spread too quickly, while it, thanks to more modern manufacture techniques, lacks the erratic patterning of Vietnam War Era's duckbill chokes like those used in the Ithaca 37, but still sacrifices the effective range, which is technically 8 meters inferior to that of a MAG-7, without considering the use of a sabot shell instead, which slightly extends the effective range to about half a dozen of meters.
Suppressor
The overall build of the barrel end, choke thread and the firing mechanism and shells specifically adjusted for subsonic muzzle velocities are no mere coincidences, but purportedly built features to make it relatively easy for its, self-developed telescoped reflex suppressor to be accepted easily over its choke, in a way that was only demonstrated by the equipping of a SPAS-15 with a suppressor. However, that was only for the civilian convenience of avoiding shotguns which can cause permanent damage to hearing, as a truly effective suppressor for tactical use would simply be impossible on a 12 gauge shotgun, however, the EC-3ST(Tactical Suppressor), taking advantage of the modularity of the EC-3 shotgun was developed as a lower, 28 gauge variant fitted with an effective, but somewhat clumsy looking integrated suppressor. The element of surprise is very important in Close Quarters Combat to be kept for as long as possible, specially in Special Operations, one of the niches this weapon was designed for, allowing it to be an effective complement for submachineguns, except when a fireteam is going into a room with hostages to surprise attack terrorists, as, like any shotgun, the use of anything, except maybe for the still dangerous sabot shot, would bring disastrous collateral damage. But the fact it can be suppressed with a comparable level of noise only slightly inferior to that of a suppressed .45 UMP submachinegun is already a feat which makes from its variant which comes with the suppressor already integrated to its frame rather than attachable, an optimal choice to couple stealth with firepower for Special Forces across the world when additional firepower is needed without calling too much attention or sacrificing maneuverability in cramped spaces. The barrel for the 28 gauge follow similar principles in design to the 12 gauge of the non tactically suppressed variants.
Modularity
Its modularity also allows it to be field-stripped easily, while changing its barrel, including producing it for different gauges, is a quite easy process which allows lower gauge variants to be theoretically developed, the barrel change is inspired by the USS-4 Sledgehammer, which likely involves deattaching the suppressor first, logically, when it is fielded, then the modular muzzle cover, and finally the barrel from the action rod, located between the trigger group and the barrel and connected the slide below its extremity, by turning it at 90 degrees clockwise, with the inverse process used for inserting a fresh new barrel. This also is reflected by the ease of cleaning its structure, for most components are modularly built and thus removable, including its hammer, its pump, its receiver and its collapsible rugged polymer stock which shares components with the SF-27.
Ammunition
It uses a natively developed, and currently under active production to attend the predicted demand, subsonic 50mm long 12 gauge shell which is cased by a heat resistant polymer, and the cut in length is justifiable to allow them to be fitted in smoothly curved box magazines capable of carrying up to 5 shells, of either sabot, buckshot, rubber or training types, loaded inside an ergonomically adequate handgrip, while also being developed, coupled with the subsonic muzzle velocity, to offer a more controllable recoil to compensate for the relatively light weight of the EC-3, despite its stock already helping to alleviate the perceived recoil, which is inferior to that of a .50 AE desert eagle, while although not standard, a foregrip can be also attached to its slide, although it tends to delay the pump action, but on the other hand, makes it easily usable by civilians, with its relatively light weight making it of a very useful personal defense weapon. And last but not least, its low muzzle velocity coupled with the availability of rubber rounds allow it to be effectively used for crowd control, although Third Spanish States military has refused to market it for it due to some strange, perhaps ironic principles that "Less-lethal ammunition is tyranny against freedom of speech!". For the EC-3T and EC-3ST variants, a full powered polymer cased 28 gauge shell is instead used, which allows a tactically effective level of suppression at the expense of reduced firepower.
Add-ons
Regarding attachments, like the SF-27, it has a generous quantity of rails, allowing it to be fielded with, for demonstration purposes only currently, a flashlight, a laser sight and 1.4x optical sight of dubious utility and still having space for a foregrip, although it is commonly only attached to either a laser sight or flashlight according to the situation, while on very rare occasions a 1.2x scope may be slightly useful for more precise aiming against enemies 32 meters to 70 meters away when loaded with sabot shells, while finally a S-3 suppressor can be fitted into a EC-3, however it won't perform as well regarding having a more tolerable noise as a EC-3S with its integrated suppressor, while the 28 ga. EC-3T can also be fielded with a separated ST-3 tactical suppressor, but equally it won't have the same level of suppression as its EC-3ST version with its integrated suppressor. The production process for the choke on its CMC lined barrel is one of the most closely guarded secrets in the MilNet, to the point that domestic production rights for it won't be considered, but that is not a big issue, as CMC lined barrels lack cost competitiveness compared to conventional steel lined ones in the international market.
Conclusion
Therefore, the EC-3 Shotgun, its hearing safe EC-3S, the lower recoil EC-3T and its tactically suppressed EC-3ST variants are reliable, unique choices of firearms for special operations and close quarters combats when the firepower of submachineguns is not enough but a conventional shotgun would be a poor compromise of maneuverability and discretion, and both are focused at potential users ranging from elite police forces to urban warfare special units, and even civilian markets unrestrained by gun control laws where the EC-3, EC-3T and EC-3S would be sold as a personal defense shotguns.
Specifications
Class: Compact Pump-action Shotgun
Structure: Steel lined barrel, carbon reinforced fiber and rugged polymer frame.
Caliber: 50mm long 12 ga. and 28 ga.
Ammunition Types:
- Buckshot
- Sabot
- Rubber
- Training
Muzzle velocity: 300 m/s
Operation: Pump-action
Weight:
- Steel barrel: 3.1 kg empty, 3.7 kg w/ 5-round mag.
- CMC barrel: 2.8kg empty, 3.5 kg w/ 5-round mag.
28 ga.
- Steel barrel: 3kg empty, 3.5kg w/ 7-round mag.
- CMC barrel: 2.7kg empty, 3.2kg w/ 7-round mag.
Length(Stock Extended): 550mm
Length(Stock Collapsed): 500mm
Barrel length: 300mm
Feed system: 5-round detachable box magazine, 7-round extended mag.
Effective range: 32m
Maximum range: 70m
Sights: Modular, default is a ghost ring retractable iron sight
Supported Attachments: Tactical flashlight, laser sight, up to 1.4x scope, foregrip, S-3 reflex shotgun suppressor, ST-3 tactical suppressor "bucket".
Modes: Pump-action
Rate of Fire: 30 rpm(cyclic), 20 rpm(sustained)
Variants:
EC-3S, built with integrated, specifically tailored reflex shotgun suppressor to reduce noise to a level which is healthy to human ears.
-Length(Stock Extended): 670mm
-Length(Stock Collapsed): 620mm
EC-3T, 28 gauge variant.
-Length(Stock Extended): 550mm
-Length(Stock Collapsed): 500mm
EC-3ST, 28 gauge variant built with integrated, specifically tailored suppressor capable of effectively turning it into a "silenced" weapon.
-Length(Stock Extended): 700mm
-Length(Stock Collapsed): 650mm
Cost:
EC-3
-Steel barrel: $800
-CMC barrel: $1,400
EC-3S
-Steel barrel: $900
-CMC barrel: $1,500
EC-3T
-Steel barrel: $700
-CMC barrel: $1,300
EC-3ST
-Steel barrel: $1,300
- CMC barrel: $2,100
Ammunitions and Add-ons Cost:
Like mentioned, all are being continually manufactured based on demand predictions to avoid the scarcity problem due to the fact the EC-3 uses its own 12 ga. shell. Also, as a promotion, for purchases equal or larger than 1000 units of the EC-3 or of the EC-3S, a freebie of 5,000 buckshots, 2,500 sabots, 1,000 rubber and 6,000 training projectiles will be given. You can also produce your own 28 ga. shells instead of buying them, but we'll give no guarantees they'll achieve a subsonic muzzle velocity if you choose to do so instead of purchasing our homegrown subsonic 28 gauge shells.
Add-ons
- S-3 Reflex Suppressor(Compatible with EC-3 only): $150
- ST-3 Tactical Suppressor(ibid with EC-3T only): $700
- 1.2x scope: $250
- 1.4x scope: $300
- Laser sight: $100
- Tactical Flashlight: $50
Ammunition
50mm long 12 gauge polymer cased* shells prices:
- 1000rd Buckshot case: $400
- 1000rd Sabot case: $650
- 1000rd Rubber** case: $450
- 1000rd Training case: $250
- 250rd Buckshot case: $105
- 250rd Sabot case: $180
- 250rd Rubber case: $125
- 250rd Training case: $70
- 50rd Buckshot box: $22
- 50rd Sabot box: $38
- 50rd Rubber box: $23
- 50rd Training box: $17
- 5rd Buckshot box: $3
- 5rd Sabot box: $8
- 5rd Buckshot magazine: $14
- 5rd Sabot magazine: $19
- 5rd Rubber magazine: $16
- 7rd Buckshot magazine: $15
- 7rd Sabot magazine: $22
- 7rd Rubber magazine: $17
- Empty 5rd magazine: $12
- Empty 7rd extended magazine: $13
- Military Package (500 buckshot, 250 sabot, 250 training, 50 5rd magazines): $850
- Police Package (250 buckshot, 100 sabot, 650 rubber, 50 5rd magazines): $900
28 gauge polymer cased* shells prices:
- 1000rd Buckshot case: $280
- 1000rd Sabot case: $450
- 1000rd Rubber** case: $350
- 1000rd Training case: $150
- 250rd Buckshot case: $75
- 250rd Sabot case: $115
- 250rd Rubber case: $90
- 250rd Training case: $40
- 50rd Buckshot box: $15
- 50rd Sabot box: $25
- 50rd Rubber box: $20
- 50rd Training box: $8
- 5rd Buckshot box: $3
- 5rd Sabot box: $5
- 5rd Buckshot magazine: $10
- 5rd Sabot magazine: $15
- 5rd Rubber magazine: $12
- 7rd Buckshot magazine: $12
- 7rd Sabot magazine: $18
- 7rd Rubber magazine: $15
- Empty 5rd magazine: $8
- Empty 7rd extended magazine: $10
- Military Package (500 buckshot, 250 sabot, 250 training, 50 5rd magazines): $500
- Police Package (250 buckshot, 100 sabot, 650 rubber, 50 5rd magazines): $650
*Reduced weight compared to conventional brass or steel cased shells without increased costs
**Less-than-lethal rounds are not for sale to autocracies.
Domestic Production Rights
Limited domestic production rights for the EC-3, EC-3S, EC-3T, EC-3ST and subsonic 12 gauge and self-developed 28 gauge shells with polymer cases are available, except for the ceramic matrix composite lined barrel, which is only available for export, and although 28 gauge shells are already commonplace across the world, you can still license their comparatively reliable polymer cased and subsonic versions developed in the Confederacy at a loss. It should be noticed that the EC-3 is a specialized firearm, which fills a role only the MAG-7 could have done, each right is independent from the other, and also, due to several ideological reasons associated with the creators, and thus rightful owners of this firearm, DPR shall not be granted for dictatorial, totalitarian, fascist and/or theocratic States or any other form of government with curbed political freedoms. Under the following conditions Domestic Production Rights shall be granted:
EC-3
- DPR Cost: 500,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
EC-3S
- DPR Cost: 550,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
EC-3T
- DPR Cost: 450,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
EC-3ST
- DPR Cost: 800,000,000
- Limited only to steel lined barrel construction
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
50mm 12 gauge subsonic shell
- DPR Cost: 25,000,000
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract.
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
28 gauge polymer cased subsonic shell
- DPR Cost: 5,000,000
- Not available for autocracies
- No exports, as mentioned in the contract
- No sales to civilians, as mentioned in the contract.
- Royalty-free
- Duration: 10 years*
* Can be extended depending on the specific case.
(OOC: If you have any objection or criticism about this design feasibility/efficiency not fitting with what it is claimed to be able to do, post them in the NSDraftroom (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=2413). Yes, it's a "niche", specialized firearm for Close Quarters Battle, specially Urban Warfare, but not as much specialized as an underwater AR (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASM-DT_Underwater_Assault_Rifle)
Edit 1: Fixed problems and added an effectively suppressed 28 ga. variant)