“The ROC [Republic of China] Armed Forces on Thursday unveiled a next-generation assault rifle developed by the Armament Bureau’s 205th Armory,” wantchinatimes.com reports. “The gold-plated model XT-105 rifle that was displayed at a press event in Kaohsiung was the first off the production line since the 205th Armory started working on the development of the weapon in 2012.” Why gold-plated you ask? Keep in mind that The Republic of China is not The People’s Republic of China. We’re talking Taiwan, where military arms marketing – maybe even to Mexican drug lords – is a thing. In fact . . .
The 205th Armory traces its roots back to the Qing Dynasty, when it was known as the Suzhou Western Artillery Bureau under imperial rule. It was moved to Kaohsiung as part of the retreat to Taiwan in 1949 after the Nationalists were defeated by Communist forces in the Chinese Civil War.
Since then, the 205th Armory has developed a number of weapons for the ROC Armed Forces including the mainstay T65 and T91 assault rifles, the T-75 20mm cannon, and various other small arms.
I digress. Here’s the 411 on the Armory’s AR-15 XT-105:
Dubbed as a multi-utilization special rifle (MSR), the 5.56 x 45mm weapon is designed for versatility as it can be fitted with barrels of three different lengths–300mm, 360mm, and 450mm.
It can also be outfitted with attachments, sights, and optical scopes without the need for additional gun mounts and railing systems.
The weapon ejects spent shells forward on the right so that there is no danger of burns to the operator.
The next-generation weapon features high accuracy and low recoil, an ambidextrous design, and a collapsible stock for easy handling.
The weapon also forgoes the three-round burst firing mode, allowing for a more manageable fully automatic mode at lower rate of fire.
Although the 205th Armory declined to give any details, it said it may consider export of the X105, which can be customized to buyers’ needs.
Like I said, se habla español. Between you and me.
Looks more SCAR-ish to me.
ambi charging handle tho. I wonder if it reciprocates like on a SCAR?
This is almost certainly a further development of their standard-issue Type 65, 86 and 91 rifle series, which is basically a short-stroke piston AR. Needless to say, it predates SCAR by several decades.
Pretty sure they just slapped the scar upper on an ar 15 lower
Every cool guy in the narcotics business will have one!
I am pretty sure the Izhevsk factory beat them to it w/ Gold And Silver AKs. I am also pretty sure that Mexican Cartels can get their hands on the best Norinco has to offer.
No me gusta.
Did they just make a knockoff of a scar? Please tell me they didn’t just make a knockoff of the scar…
*awaits TTAG review on weapon*
Heck, just have the Koreans fire up production on the various Daewoo incarnations of the MAX-1. I had one; a bit heavy but a fine rifle, actually. AR-like lower, AK-like upper, FN-like folding stock. Best of breed features “borrowed” from all the leading designs at the time. I bought mine for $279, NIB, in about 1989 or so.
I got one of those this winter and loved it until it was lost in the boating accident.
Yeah, but can you get it gold plated?
I liked Taiwan better when it was still Formosa, but the former name did not lend itself to puns.
“Ralph once knew a hooker from Taiwan,
Who’s… ”
Ah, Fugit.
Why would Mexican cartels need to buy weapons from Taiwan, when they can quite easily get them from their own government? Or ours, for that matter…
+1
It’s always wise to have a secondary source. ‘Cause you never know.
Well, Holder’s out, Uncle Leland is under RICO and HRC is not a sure thing. Pols and Drug lords in Mexico may be corrupt, but they are not stoopid. Need a backup plan, now that CIA and State are out of business, thanks to Benghazi.
From Chinese new sources, it’s actually copper plated, gold color.
http://www.ettoday.net/news/20150604/516253.htm
Taiwanese assault rifle is closer to AR18 really, not that it matters.
The gold plating is more aiming to please middle east buyer really, giving away cheap guns to any countries that recognize Taiwan as a nation is daily routine for Taiwan.
Heck, what kind of countries cannot carry their flag at Olympic game?
ones that are bullied by “the other China which is an enemy of the USA” which took the place of Taiwan, which is “the China which was a founding member of the UN and is an ally of the US”
Where’s the link to Mexican drug cartels? Did I miss something here?
Would fill a slot in my collection. Throw in some silver bullets and I’d go see my ex wif….just kidding.
most ex’s require the full treatment, silver hollow points filled with garlic with tiny crosses engraved on each one, blessed by a priest. Better bring some stakes and holy water as a backup.
It it actually going to be for sale with the gaudy plating, or is that just a flashy touch for serial #000001? I’m thinking it’s the latter.
Great. Now they’ve co-opted the “MSR” thing and it’s an actual assault rifle.
I’m sure there is a .38 super conversion kit down the road.
Pimp bling!
Wrong market. Drug lords? Maybe. African Warlords? Most definitely.
And it’s an auto to boot! The average person will not own a gold gun, a few drug runner cartels, sure. Collectors will buy them, make sense. As long as there is a market business will exist.
My first thought at seeing the picture was “A LEGO gun?”
Meh. Get rid of the tacky, golden finish and we’ll talk.
yay. Little China has always been playing the same game as big China. Take someone else’s design, make some superficial change and take national pride in having done so. It’s just a copy of a scar by a half-a-country that is imitating a corrupt country copying the work of successful countries. Way to climb the ladder Taiwan, you can call it your own all you want but it’s still just a stolen design and you’re still lying to yourself.
The production models might make good foreign aid trade stock. They give away all sorts of goodies, and by using an indigenous design there’s no ripples in international markets.
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