TTK-18 "Liberation" Assault Rifle
“Sentinel. Pacifier. Stalwart friend.”
Named after the manufacturing marks on its side more than specific designation, the 18 model is a very common firearm found in use among chelti militaries, militias, and naturally civilian use. It is a relatively primitive hunk of steel firing old-fashioned metal projectiles.
Features
- Bottom-loading high-cap mag
- HVAP rounds available
- Ironsight with best-of-industry adjustment
- “Ultra hardcore, ultra tough” carbon steel chassis
- Chrome lined barrel w/polygonal rifling. 1:7 twist
- Modular system which supports quick barrel and furniture changes
- Top rail for optics
Overview
“Heavy is good. Heavy is reliable. If it does not work, you can always hit him with it.” - Boris the Blade, Snatch
Made for Duty, and little else, the TTK-18 is free of delicate decoration. It's heavy, but sturdy with a thick protective casing around its working parts, three inches of barrel peeking out from a shroud of metal, the gas return tube barely visible under that. The raised bar holds the iron-sights and can also fit optics. A thick bar protects the trigger handle and part of the hand, although in some models this bar is full-length to the handle and connects with it by a flat bar.
Being made to fire in alien environments, the firing chamber is tough, with automatic mechanical pressure compensation to outside air, and ability to take oxidizer loaded cartridges to compensate for low-oxygen atmospheres (or no oxygen). The final design resembles a gun inside a metal box more than traditional firearm, making it very resistant to external fouling and tough to damage. The box is opened from the top and hinges upwards allowing easy access to the internals during service. It features adjustable ejection and cocking levers, allowing it to be used ambidextrously.
History
Due the divided and sometimes chaotic nature of Chelti history, multiple standard weapons were made for different clans within the growing Nation. With the slow reformation after the discovery of other lifeforms the young nation decided it needed a single standard weapon for all combat troops in the field.
Designers of the TTK-18 first began searching for an already available weapon in use with one of their constituent clans; however each of these were unsuitable, mainly due to over-engineering causing reliability problems or over-specialization to certain environments. In order to stem this issue the design team made the mechanism from as few parts as possible and made it simple to clean and operate, the belief being that this would improve reliability and lengthen the service life of each rifle. Because of a need to operate inside the confines of the jungle or a ship the weapon was given a bullpup design with a high mounting point to aid troops at longer ranges.
The weapon has made its mark on its users. Known for very good reliability even in the roughest treatment, it’s been known to be so tough that troops have used it as a club in emergencies and still continued to fight normally.