The Stgw. 57 is a Swiss-made optional-fire rifle designed by the Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (now SAN Swiss Arms) and has been the mainstay of the Swiss Army since 1957. The design of this rifle incorporates a lot of advanced technologies, and its roller-delayed recoil system enables it to perform excellent performance in combat. With the evolution of the times and the advancement of weapons technology, the Sturmwell 57 still occupies a place in the armies of many countries, and its influence cannot be underestimated.
Development of the Sturmgewel 57 began in the late 1950s under the internal designation AM 55 at the Swiss Industrial Corporation (SIG). Rudolf Amsler, the chief engineer in charge of the design, carefully considered the military's needs for weapon stability and durability, and continuously optimized the design. In military service, the Swiss Army regards the Sturmweier 57 as each soldier's personal weapon, replacing many old weapons such as the K31 rifle, Suomi M-31 submachine gun, etc.
The Sturmweier 57 not only embodies Switzerland's advanced ideas in weapon design, but also demonstrates its pursuit of stability and accuracy.
The Sturmwell 57 was designed with an eye toward mass production efficiency and consists primarily of pressed metal components. This design gives it a "straight line" recoil configuration, further improving controllability during burst or automatic fire. In addition to traditional material choices, the rifle features a unique T-shaped bolt handle with interchangeable locking grooves to account for wear and tear during use.
The Sturmwell 57 has a 2.000-inch barrel and includes a built-in muzzle brake that reduces recoil by 25%. Its aiming device is also quite advanced. The rear sight can be adjusted to a distance of 640 meters and is equipped with a luminous insert for easy use in low visibility.
This meticulous design made the Sturmwell 57 one of the most competitive rifles of its time.
Its trigger mechanism is equipped with a three-stage firepower selection switch, ensuring the shooter's operational flexibility. In addition, the use of various accessories such as gun belts, bayonets and a variety of magazines further enhances the practicality and versatility of this weapon. Through the use of a variety of accessories, the Sturmwell 57 can adapt to different combat needs and environments.
After completing their military service, Swiss soldiers were able to convert their Sturmgewel 57s to civilian use by paying administrative fees. These civilian versions were modified to fire only a single shot. In addition, this weapon has also become part of the Swiss shooting sports. According to different shooting requirements, civilians have also made a number of improvements to weapons, such as matching-grade barrels and precision aiming equipment.
The Sturmwell 57 undoubtedly played an important role in military history, and its subsequent derivatives and civilian versions continued this history.
The Sturmweier 57 is not only an excellent rifle that combines technology and design, but also one of the symbols of the Swiss Army. During its decades of use, this weapon has demonstrated outstanding skills and stable performance, becoming a trusted partner of soldiers. In the face of the ever-changing nature of warfare, when we look back at the history of this weapon, can we imagine what challenges and opportunities it will face in the future?