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Description

Developed by the Republic of Korea Army (South Korea) to replace the venerable K2 standard issued rifle, the K17 was devised to chamber the United States Army's new 6.8mm general purpose round. However, S&T Motiv (the manufacturer of this and most of the Korea Armed Forces firearms) encountered numerous set backs with the K17. The army required the rifle to meet a weight under 4 kg or around 9 lbs. The bolt lugs and carrier groups were also prone to breaking under the greater pressures generated by the 6.8mm cartridge.

In the end, the ROK Army canceled the K17 in 2040's and made a deal with Japan to procure 10,000 the Howa Type-39. S&T Motiv would eventually produced a licensed version of Type-39 (designated the K22 by ROK Armed Forces) as Japan and Korea continued to forge ties in the response to the growing strength of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. All prototypes of the K17 were destroyed, save one that now in War Memorial of Korea museum in Seoul.

Description

Developed by the Republic of Korea Army (South Korea) to replace the venerable K2 standard issued rifle, the K17 was devised to chamber the United States Army's new 6.8mm general purpose round. However, S&T Motiv (the manufacturer of this and most of the Korea Armed Forces firearms) encountered numerous set backs with the K17. The army required the rifle to meet a weight under 4 kg or around 9 lbs. The bolt lugs and carrier groups were also prone to breaking under the greater pressures generated by the 6.8mm cartridge.

In the end, the ROK Army canceled the K17 in 2040's and made a deal with Japan to procure 10,000 the Howa Type-39. S&T Motiv would eventually produced a licensed version of Type-39 (designated the K22 by ROK Armed Forces) as Japan and Korea continued to forge ties in the response to the growing strength of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. All prototypes of the K17 were destroyed, save one that now in War Memorial of Korea museum in Seoul.