South African R2 and its Special Furniture
This video discusses the South African R2 rifle, a domestic adaptation of the H&K G3. Initially procured from Portugal due to a large reserve and second-echelon unit requirement, these rifles suffered from issues with their plastic furniture. In the harsh climate of South West Africa, the Portuguese handguards and buttstocks would shrink, causing the rifles to become loose and nicknamed "rattlers." To address this, the American firm Choate Machine & Tool was contracted to produce improved handguards, based on the H&K export pattern, and stocks that mimicked the FAL R1's design, enhancing durability and functionality.














