The best guns using Caseless Ammunition in 2024

The Heckler & Koch G11 assault rifle and the Voere VEC-91 semi-automatic rifle are examples of firearms that use caseless ammo. The G11, introduced in the 1980s, featured a cutting-edge caseless ammunition system but never entered mass production. The VEC-91, developed in the 1990s, faced challenges in reliability and market acceptance. Another notable firearm, the ARES FMG, designed in the late 1980s, also utilized caseless ammunition but did not gain widespread popularity. However, despite some advancements, caseless ammo technology still faces challenges in heat management, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, limiting its mainstream adoption in the firearms industry.

Heckler & Koch G11 rifle

One notable example of a firearm that uses caseless ammunition is the Heckler & Koch G11 rifle. Developed in the late 20th century by the German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch, the G11 was a revolutionary weapon designed to fire caseless 4.73x33mm ammunition. The G11 utilized a unique rotating breech mechanism to load and fire rounds without traditional brass casings, which reduced weight and simplified the firing process. Despite its innovative design, the G11 never saw widespread military adoption due to issues with cost, complexity, and the advent of more conventional firearm technologies.

Voere VEC-91 rifle

Another firearm that employed caseless ammo is the Voere VEC-91 rifle. Manufactured by Voere Präzisionstechnik GmbH, the VEC-91 was a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 4.92x45mm caseless ammunition. This rifle featured an electronic firing mechanism and a unique loading system that fed rounds directly into the chamber without the need for traditional casings. Like the G11, the VEC-91 did not achieve widespread commercial success due to challenges related to ammunition production, heat management, and reliability.

Textron Systems’ Cased Telescoped (CT)

In recent years, there have been efforts to revive interest in caseless ammo technology. For example, the Textron Systems’ Cased Telescoped (CT) ammunition system is a modern caseless-like concept that uses a polymer case wrapped around the projectile. This design aims to reduce weight, improve ballistic performance, and simplify logistics in military applications. The Textron Systems’ Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) program has developed various small arms, including light machine guns and rifles, that utilize the CT ammunition system.

3 Guns that use Caseless Ammunition, you did not know about 2024

Here are six other guns that have been developed to use caseless-ammunition:

H&K G11 PDW: Heckler & Koch also developed a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) variant of the G11 that used caseless ammunition. The G11 PDW was a compact firearm designed for close-quarters combat and featured the same innovative caseless ammunition system as the standard G11 rifle.
Steyr ACR: The Steyr ACR (Advanced Combat Rifle) was a prototype rifle developed for the U.S. Army’s ACR program in the 1980s. It used 5.56mm caseless-ammunition and featured a futuristic design with advanced features such as a built-in optic and a unique loading system.
Dover PDWS: The Dynamic Operating Vehicular Entrenching Rifle (DOVER) Personal Defense Weapon System (PDWS) was a concept firearm that used caseless ammunition. Designed to be compact and versatile, the DOVER PDWS was intended for use by vehicle crews and personnel in confined spaces.

3 of the best guns using Caseless-Ammunition in 2024

Voere X3: The Voere X3 was a prototype assault rifle developed by Voere in Austria. It was designed to use 4.92mm caseless-ammunition and featured a bullpup configuration for improved maneuverability in urban environments.
Colt ACR: Colt’s entry into the Advanced Combat Rifle program, the Colt ACR, utilized 5.56mm caseless-ammunition. While the ACR program ultimately did not lead to the adoption of a new rifle for the U.S. military, the Colt ACR demonstrated Colt’s exploration of caseless ammunition technology.
Steyr ACR-C: Another variant developed during the Advanced Combat Rifle program was the Steyr ACR-C, which also utilized 5.56mm caseless ammunition. This compact version of the Steyr ACR was designed for potential use as a carbine or personal defense weapon.

These examples highlight the diverse applications of caseless ammunition technology in various firearm platforms, showcasing the ongoing efforts of manufacturers to explore new avenues for improving firearm performance and capabilities. Despite the challenges associated with caseless ammunition, these developments demonstrate the continued interest in innovative ammunition technologies within the firearms industry.

Advantages of Caseless Ammunition

Caseless ammunition is a type of firearm cartridge that eliminates the need for a separate brass casing to hold the propellant and projectile. Instead, the propellant material is molded around the base of the bullet, creating a self-contained unit. Here are some key points about caseless ammunition:

Advantages:

Weight and Size: Caseless ammunition can be lighter and more compact than traditional brass-cased ammunition, making it potentially advantageous for reducing overall firearm weight and size.
Simplified Design: The lack of a brass casing simplifies the design of firearms, potentially reducing complexity and manufacturing costs.
Increased Capacity: Caseless cartridges can potentially allow for increased ammunition capacity in firearms compared to traditional cartridges.

Challenges:

Heat Management: Caseless ammunition can generate more heat than traditional cartridges due to the lack of a brass casing to absorb and dissipate heat. This can lead to issues with barrel heating and potential cook-off.
Stability: Ensuring the stability and integrity of the propellant material in caseless cartridges can be a challenge, especially under varying environmental conditions.
Manufacturing Complexity: Producing caseless ammunition can be more complex than traditional brass-cased ammunition, potentially leading to higher manufacturing costs.

Historical Development:

The concept of caseless ammunition has been explored by various firearms manufacturers over the years, with notable developments in the late 20th century, such as the Heckler & Koch G11 rifle.
Several military programs, including the U.S. Army’s Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program, have evaluated firearms using caseless ammunition but have not led to widespread adoption.

Modern Applications:

While caseless ammunition has not seen widespread adoption in mainstream firearms, ongoing research and development efforts continue to explore its potential benefits and overcome technical challenges.
Companies like Textron Systems have been working on caseless ammunition systems as part of initiatives to develop advanced small arms technologies for military applications.

Future Prospects:

The quest for lighter, more efficient firearms and ammunition systems continues to drive interest in caseless ammunition technology.
Advancements in materials science, manufacturing techniques, and firearm design may pave the way for increased adoption of caseless ammunition in the future.

Overall, while caseless ammunition offers potential advantages in terms of weight savings and simplified design, technical challenges and limitations have hindered its widespread adoption. Continued research and development efforts aim to address these challenges and explore the possibilities of caseless ammunition in modern firearms systems.