It's NOT a MARS RDS, it's some Indian RDS, I'll try to remember which one.
For a standard infantry rifle you want a long(ish) barrel- it is meant to be a rifle and not a carbine after all.
I'm no expert but doesn't eh long-stroke gas piston offer more controllability and hence accuracy?
THANX for the info wrt the sight.It looked like a MARS to me.
Here is what you need to know about long stroke gas piston operated self-loading action:
' With a long-stroke system, the
piston is mechanically fixed to the
bolt group and moves through
the entire operating cycle.
The primary advantage of the
long-stroke system, beyond
design simplicity and robustness,
is that the mass of the piston rod
adds to the momentum of the
bolt carrier enabling more positive
extraction, ejection, chambering,
and locking. Also, as the gas is
not directed back into the
chamber, the weapon stays
cleaner longer thus reducing the
likelihood of a malfunction.
The
primary disadvantage to this
system is the disruption of the
point of aim due to the center of
mass changing during the action
cycle, and energetic and abrupt
stops at the beginning and end of
bolt carrier travel.
So as you can see,due to continuous and rapid shifting of the bolt-carrier and longer heavier piston rod ,the centre of mass also shifts back and forth and abrupt,energetic stop at the start and end of each action cycle disturbs the stability of the rifle and thus accuracy is affected.
Hope it helps sir....