South Africa's Sci-Fi Bullpup: Vektor CR-21 at the Range

Published on September 16, 2023
Duration: 5:33

This review of the Vektor CR-21, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, offers a critical look at this rare South African bullpup rifle. While aesthetically striking and built on the reliable Galil action, the CR-21 exhibits significant ergonomic challenges, particularly with magazine changes, and a pronounced muzzle climb during full-auto fire. McCollum's expert assessment highlights that despite its iconic appearance, the CR-21 falls short in practical performance compared to its Galil predecessor or other modern bullpup designs.

Quick Summary

The Vektor CR-21 is a rare South African bullpup rifle based on the Galil action, firing 5.56x45mm NATO. Despite its unique design, it suffers from significant muzzle climb during full-auto fire and difficult magazine changes due to its deep magazine well. It was never officially adopted by the South African military.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Vektor CR-21
  2. 00:26Historical Context & Rarity
  3. 00:48Initial Range Testing (Semi-Auto)
  4. 01:13Full-Auto Performance & Muzzle Climb
  5. 02:31Ergonomic Challenges: Magazine Changes
  6. 03:05Mechanical Analysis of Recoil
  7. 04:31Final Verdict & Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vektor CR-21?

The Vektor CR-21 is a South African bullpup rifle designed in the 1990s, notable for its 'space-age' polymer shell and its action based on the reliable Israeli Galil rifle. It fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round.

What are the main drawbacks of the Vektor CR-21?

Key drawbacks include significant muzzle climb during full-auto fire, attributed to its bullpup design and mass distribution. Magazine changes are also more difficult than on standard rifles due to a deep, obscuring magazine well.

Was the Vektor CR-21 adopted by the South African military?

No, the Vektor CR-21 was proposed to the South African Defense Force but was never officially adopted. This contributes to its rarity as a firearm encountered today.

How does the Vektor CR-21 compare to the original Galil?

While sharing the Galil's robust action, the CR-21's bullpup configuration results in different handling characteristics and increased muzzle climb. The original Galil is generally considered more practical in terms of ergonomics and ease of magazine changes.

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