Charlton automatic rifle
| Charlton automatic rifle | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic rifle Light machine gun/Automatic rifle |
| Place of origin | New Zealand |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1942–1945 |
| Used by | New Zealand |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Philip Charlton |
| Designed | 1941 |
| Produced | 1942–1945 |
| No. built | 1500 |
| Variants | Electrolux SMLE Model |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 16 lb (7.3 kg), unloaded |
| Length | 44.5 in (1150 mm) |
| Cartridge | .303 British |
| Calibre | 0.3125 inch (7.938 mm) |
| Action | Gas-operated semi-automatic |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,440 ft/s (744 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,000 yards (910 m) |
| Maximum firing range | 2,000 yards (1830 m) |
| Feed system | 10-round magazine or modified 30-round Bren gun magazine |
| Sights | Sliding ramp rear sights, fixed post front sights |
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The Charlton automatic rifle was a fully automatic conversion of the Lee–Enfield rifle, designed by New Zealander Philip Charlton in 1941 to act as a substitute for the Bren and Lewis gun light machine guns which were in severely short supply at the time.