Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake) - Military Factory

☰MENU × Aviation & Aerospace - Airpower 2024 - Aircraft by Country - Aircraft Manufacturers Vehicles & Artillery - Armor 2024 - Armor by Country - Armor Manufacturers Infantry Small Arms - Warfighter 2024 - Small Arms by Country - Arms Manufacturers Warships & Submarines - Navies 2024 - Ships by Country - Shipbuilders U.S. Military Pay 2025 Military Ranks Special Forces by Country Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake)

Assault Rifle

Mexico | 2008

"The FX-05 Assault Rifle was first observed in 2006 and entered formal service with the Mexican Army in 2008."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/28/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content. Seeking to upgrade their supplies of standard-issue HK G3A3 series assault rifles, Mexican authorities centered in on the HK G36 system. The original G3 appeared in 1959 and went on to see widespread use with a host of countries and in countless conflicts. The system relied on the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge and fired through a roller-delayed blowback action from a 20-round detachable box magazine. A 50-round drum could be affixed for the squad automatic weapon role. The G36, on the other hand, represented a much more modern solution from the same German Heckler & Koch firm. It was introduced in 1997, fired the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge from a gas-operated/rotating bolt action and was compatible with a 30-round box magazine or 100-round "C-Mag" drum. The Mexican government and Heckler & Koch had agreed to a locally-produced version of the G36 in which factories would be built directly in Mexico under license. At some point, it was determined by Mexican authorities that it would make more fiscal sense in the long run to design, develop and produce an indigenous assault rifle system. As such, the HK G36 initiative fell to naught and work began on developing a suitable modern replacement for the outgoing HK G3 models. The result became the FX-05 which is entirely constructed from local resources. it represents a drastic departure for the Mexican military and security forces who had relied on importation of foreign weaponry for decades before the arrival of the indigenous FX-05. The FX-05 subsequently entered service in 2008 and has seen considerable action in the Mexican drug wars to date. Manufacture of the FX-05 is handled by the Direccion General de Industria Militar del Ejercito (DCIME). The FX-05 is a conventional assault weapons design with very clean looks and modern styling. Lightweight polymers are utilized alongside metal parts to keep the overall weight of the weapon as manageable as possible while also making for a reasonable firing platform. The frame is a large, stout piece of engineering that includes the receiver and an integrated forend around the barrel assembly base. The buttstock is semi-skeletal and can fold over the receiver for a more compact approach and sports a rubber pad. The pistol grip integrates well into a large trigger guard for access with a gloved hand. The magazine feed is fitted just ahead of the trigger unit and supports a curved 30-round box magazine made up of 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges. The firing action is gas-operated with a rotating bolt and allows for a cyclic rate-of-fire of 750 rounds-per-minute to be reached. Muzzle velocity is 3,136 feet per second. A selector switch along the sides of the receiver allow for single-shot semi-automatic fire, three-round burst capability or full-automatic fire as well as a safety mode. Iron adjustable sights are standard though optics are often times utilized - the standard optics system also doubles as the carrying handle along the top of the receiver. The FX-05, like other modern automatic weapons of this class, makes heavy use of Picatinny rails for the installation of accessories including standard telescopic sights, night vision, laser aimers, flashlights and the like. Rails are noted along the full length upper portion of the receiver and along the sides of the forend/handguard. There are cooling slots located above the handguard which encompasses the barrel. There is also a slotted muzzle brake. The barrel itself is cold forged and, a distinct feature to the FX-05, is its use of polygonal rifling as opposed to the widely-accepted normal grooved rifling. Support for an underslung single-shot grenade launcher (the HK AG36 for the interim) is noted. To the discerning viewer, the FX-05 certainly does share a visual similarity to the HK G36 rifle the Mexican Army nearly acquired for license production. In fact, the similarities were such that representatives of Heckler & Koch flew to Mexico to inspect the FX-05 for possible patent infringement. HK representatives walked away satisfied that the FX-05 only mimicked the external appearance of their G36 product, the internal working components being unique to the Mexican FX-05. However, it is worth noting that a "second generation" FX-05 has since appeared that sports a revised receiver. HK officials did not the close appearance of their G36 receiver to that of the original FX-05 production models. Regardless, no law suit ensued and the FX-05 remains in growing numbers within the Mexican Army inventory. To date, some 50,000 FX-05 examples have been produced. A companion single-shot grenade launcher is currently in the works and will be able to utilize "smart" grenade munitions. The FX-05 has been further developed into forms beyond the basic assault rifle which now makes up the head of a family of firearms. As such, the FX-05 is available in a shortened carbine form, a light machine gun for the squad automatic weapon role and a "sharpshooter" system allowing for repeating fire in the designated marksman role. The FX-05 is nicknamed the "Xiuhcoatl" which translates to "Turquoise Serpent" or "Fire Snake". Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted. Physical The physical qualities of the Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation. 1,087 mm 42.80 in O/A Length 8.58 lb 3.89 kg Weight Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt Action 5.56x45mm NATO Caliber(s) 30-round detachable box magazine Feed Iron; Optional Optics. Sights Performance Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation. 2,952 ft 899.8 m | 984.0 yds Max.Eff.Range 750 Rounds-Per-Minute Rate-of-Fire 3,136 ft/sec 956 m/sec Muzzle Velocity Variants Notable series variants as part of the Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake) Assault Rifle family line. FX-05 - Base Assault Rifle Series Designation FX-05 (Carbine) - Lighter and shorter carbine form. FX-05 (LMG) - Longer and heavier light machine gun form. FX-05 (Sniper) - Precision version Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing. Contractor(s): Direccion General de Industria Militar del Ejercito - Mexico [ Mexico ] 1 / 1 Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted. Design Qualities Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements. AUTOMATIC FUNCTION ASSAULT RIFLE Recognition Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge. Going Further... The Fusil FX-05 Xiuhcoatl (Fire Snake) Assault Rifle appears in the following collections: HOME SMALL ARMS INDEX SPECIAL FORCES ARMS BY COUNTRY ARMS MANUFACTURERS COMPARE ARMS ARMS BY CONFLICT ARMS BY TYPE ARMS BY DECADE MODERN SMALL ARMS Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies 2025 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks U.S. DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols US 5-Star Generals WW2 Weapons by Country The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content. Part of a network of sites that includes Global Firepower, WDMMA.org, WDMMW.org, and World War Next. ©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)