Skbk wz. 1989 Onyks
Encyclopedia
The 5.45 mm
subkarabinek wz. 1989 Onyks is a lightweight Polish
carbine
variant of the 5.45 mm wz. 1988 Tantal assault rifle
, also based on the AK(S)-74U Work on the weapon began in 1989 at the Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy state research institute in the city of Radom
. The weapon’s technical specifications were confirmed that same year. It was not until 1990 that production approval was given for the first prototypes, evaluated the following year in a series of military qualification tests resulting in an order for an initial pre-production batch in 1993, to be manufactured at the Łucznik Arms Factory in Radom.
The carbine was created by a team led by B. Szpaderski and it’s chief engineers were K. Styczyński and E. Wysocki. The Onyks remained a prototype and has never advanced past the research and development stage. The Onyks was designed to equip airborne infantry, police and military special operations units and vehicle crews.
s.
Compared to the Tantal, the Onyks features a barrel reduced in length by 216 mm (8.5 in), fitted with a different type of muzzle device. Due to the to barrel’s length, this device is primarily used to reduce muzzle flash, but it can also be used to mount and launch rifle grenade
s. At its muzzle end, the device has a conical flash hider
, and on its tapered, external surface – a retainer spring and two collars, used to attach and guide rifle grenades.
The Onyks features a bolt carrier borrowed from the wz. 1988 rifle, but with a significantly shortened gas piston rod. Additionally both the gas cylinder and upper heatguard have been reduced to accommodate the short gas system.
The carbine also has a different sighting arrangement than the Tantal rifle, with a newly designed rear sight. The open-type flip sight with both 100-200 and 400 m settings is installed at the rear of an extended sight rail protected by ears, which is riveted to the rear sight base. The sight has two settings, “1 i 2” and “4” (that correspond to firing ranges from 100 to 200 m and 400 m respectively). The flip sight locks in position with a spring detent. The adjustable front sight post is screwed into the front sight base that is installed in the gas block. The Onyks can be fitted with tritium
night sights, similar to those used in the wz. 88 Tantal. Recesses cut into both sides of the sight rail are used to mount optical sights.
The wooden or synthetic handguard, designed specifically for the Onyks is installed in a way analogous to the Tantal rifle’s handguard.
The carbine is supplied with three spare magazines, four 15-round stripper clips and a magazine guide, cleaning kit, cleaning rod (which is stored in the maintenance kit, unlike the Tantal – under the barrel), sling, accessory pouch and oil bottle. Also unlike the Tantal, the Onyks is not compatible with a bayonet
, bipod
or the 40 mm wz. 1974
under-slung grenade launcher
.
5.45x39mm
The Soviet 5.45×39mm cartridge is a rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1974 for use with the new AK-74 assault rifle. It gradually supplemented then largely replaced the 7.62x39mm round in service....
subkarabinek wz. 1989 Onyks is a lightweight Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
carbine
Carbine
A carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
variant of the 5.45 mm wz. 1988 Tantal assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
, also based on the AK(S)-74U Work on the weapon began in 1989 at the Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy state research institute in the city of Radom
Radom
Radom is a city in central Poland with 223,397 inhabitants . It is located on the Mleczna River in the Masovian Voivodeship , having previously been the capital of Radom Voivodeship ; 100 km south of Poland's capital, Warsaw.It is home to the biennial Radom Air Show, the largest and...
. The weapon’s technical specifications were confirmed that same year. It was not until 1990 that production approval was given for the first prototypes, evaluated the following year in a series of military qualification tests resulting in an order for an initial pre-production batch in 1993, to be manufactured at the Łucznik Arms Factory in Radom.
The carbine was created by a team led by B. Szpaderski and it’s chief engineers were K. Styczyński and E. Wysocki. The Onyks remained a prototype and has never advanced past the research and development stage. The Onyks was designed to equip airborne infantry, police and military special operations units and vehicle crews.
Design details
The carbine has an identical design layout, system of operation, locking mechanism and uses the same type of ammunition as the Tantal rifle, and the main modifications include the following components: the barrel, bolt carrier and piston rod, gas cylinder, foregrip, heatguard, muzzle device and iron sightIron sight
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
s.
Compared to the Tantal, the Onyks features a barrel reduced in length by 216 mm (8.5 in), fitted with a different type of muzzle device. Due to the to barrel’s length, this device is primarily used to reduce muzzle flash, but it can also be used to mount and launch rifle grenade
Rifle grenade
A rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
s. At its muzzle end, the device has a conical flash hider
Flash suppressor
A flash suppressor, also known as a flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to the muzzle of a rifle or other gun that reduces the visible signature of the burning gases that exit the muzzle. This reduces the chances that the shooter will be blinded in dark...
, and on its tapered, external surface – a retainer spring and two collars, used to attach and guide rifle grenades.
The Onyks features a bolt carrier borrowed from the wz. 1988 rifle, but with a significantly shortened gas piston rod. Additionally both the gas cylinder and upper heatguard have been reduced to accommodate the short gas system.
The carbine also has a different sighting arrangement than the Tantal rifle, with a newly designed rear sight. The open-type flip sight with both 100-200 and 400 m settings is installed at the rear of an extended sight rail protected by ears, which is riveted to the rear sight base. The sight has two settings, “1 i 2” and “4” (that correspond to firing ranges from 100 to 200 m and 400 m respectively). The flip sight locks in position with a spring detent. The adjustable front sight post is screwed into the front sight base that is installed in the gas block. The Onyks can be fitted with tritium
Tritium
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of tritium contains one proton and two neutrons, whereas the nucleus of protium contains one proton and no neutrons...
night sights, similar to those used in the wz. 88 Tantal. Recesses cut into both sides of the sight rail are used to mount optical sights.
The wooden or synthetic handguard, designed specifically for the Onyks is installed in a way analogous to the Tantal rifle’s handguard.
The carbine is supplied with three spare magazines, four 15-round stripper clips and a magazine guide, cleaning kit, cleaning rod (which is stored in the maintenance kit, unlike the Tantal – under the barrel), sling, accessory pouch and oil bottle. Also unlike the Tantal, the Onyks is not compatible with a bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
, bipod
Bipod
A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with two legs. It provides significant stability along two axes of motion .-Firearms:...
or the 40 mm wz. 1974
Pallad grenade launcher
The Pallad is a 40 mm Polish under-slung grenade launcher, developed for use with the AKM assault-rifle and intended to replace the kbkg wz. 1960 grenade-launcher rifle. The name of the weapon reflects the Polish-language word for palladium.The development of the weapon drew on concepts...
under-slung grenade launcher
Grenade launcher
A grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
.