The FA-03 sported a molded plastic receiver which was lighter than designs relying on metal. The carrying handled was integrated into the receiver with the charging handle set within the handle loop. In this way, the weapon could be cocked ambidextrously, accessible from either side of the weapon. The pistol grip was under the receiver in the traditional way with an integral trigger guard surrounding a curved trigger assembly. The forend of the receiver was well-formed and perforated with an upper and lower line of heat-dispensing slots for most of its length before the receiver tapered at the extreme front end. The barrel extended a short distance ahead of the receiver, much of it shrouded by the plastic body. A perforated muzzle compensator/flash suppressor was fitted ahead of a front fixed sight. The rear sight was embedded in the carrying handle and adjustable as required. A bayonet could be fitted under the barrel in the normal way. Overall weight of the weapon neared 7.7lbs with a running length of 29 inches, the barrel measuring 19 inches in length.
The LAPA design was centered around the ubiquitous American 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and operated from a conventional gas system actuated a rotating bolt. The rifle utilized a unique system in which it could be set to a double-action mode with the weapon chambered and ready-to-fire while still safely restricted - requiring only a long trigger pull to operate. A single-action mode brought operations in line with other typical automatic weapons (single-shot or full-automatic - there was no traditional manual safety selection). The FA-03 was fed by a 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine inserted into the underside of the shoulder stock. While the weapon was tested with M16-style STANAG magazines, it was intended that the finalized production model would make use of an in-house lightweight plastic 30- or 40-round straight magazine designed by LAPA.
As tested, the FA-03 exhibited a rate-of-fire of 650 rounds per minute. Muzzle velocity was listed at 3,200 feet per second which gave the weapon good penetrative capabilities at range. Effective range was approximately 600 yards depending on conditions.
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