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Description
This is a select-fire platform chambered in 6.5 Grendel, a round selected for its relatively compact size and velocity retention at long distances.

The weapon consists of an aluminum upper receiver containing a steel bolt carrier group with an extended gas key, which envelops the gas tube and is in turn enveloped by the return spring. The barrel has a set of locking lugs, which rest inside a steel chamber component. The lower receiver is polymer, as is the handguard and buttplate. The top rail is part of the upper receiver, but additional rails can be attached to the handguard in the 9, 10, 2, 3, and 6 o'clock positions, at the armorer's discretion. The weapon uses proprietary magazines.
There is a sling attachment loop under the buttplate, and multiple points on the handguard where additional sling loops can be inserted. These points can also be used to attach rails.

LOADING
Pull back the charging handle and push it down to lock the bolt carrier to the rear.
Insert a magazine.
Push one of the Bolt Release buttons OR push the charging handle up, to chamber a round.

FIRING
Push the Selector down 90 degrees for fully automatic fire.
Pull the trigger. This pulls the connector forward, releasing the hammer. The trigger keeps the connector's sear from re-engaging, so the hammer will continue operating until the trigger is released.

Move the selector to the 45 degree position for semi automatic fire.
Pull the trigger. There are a set of protrusions on the selector which, on the semi-auto position, disengage the connector from the trigger when the weapon is fired. The connector's sear immediately locks the hammer. Releasing the trigger will re-engage it with the connector.

RELOADING
When the last round is fired, the bolt carrier locks to the rear (the charging handle does not, as it is non-reciprocating).
Acquire a new magazine, push the Mag Release up, and secure the empty magazine.
Insert the new magazine.
Push one of the Bolt Release buttons to chamber a round.

BARREL CHANGE
Twist the front of the gas block clockwise and pull the gas valve forward, disengaging it from the gas tube.
Push the Handle Release Button to open up the Barrel Handle, which naturally rests in a hollow in the 8 o'clock position.
Opening the handle reveals the Barrel Unlock Button, on the inner part of the mechanism between the handle and barrel.
Push this button, enabling the barrel to rotate. Rotate it clockwise, until the handle is in the 9 o'clock position.
Pull the barrel out of the receiver, holding it by the handle.

Insert the new barrel into the receiver, with the handle horizontal at the 9 o'clock position.
Turn the handle down, to the 8 o'clock position, and fold it into its niche by pushing the Handle Release Button.
Twist the front of the gas block counterclockwise and re-engage the valve to the gas tube.

DISASSEMBLY
Push the Buttplate Release buttons on both sides, unlocking the buttplate.
Swivel the buttplate downward.
Push the Takedown Buttons on both sides, freeing the upper and lower receiver.
Swivel the lower receiver down. At this point it remains connected only via the Pivot Pin, and all internals are accessible.

RIGHT-LEFT CONVERSION
The Selector, Bolt Release, and Mag Release are identical on both sides.
The ejection port and charging handle window are likewise mirrored.
To reverse the Charging Handle, unscrew it from its position in the Charging Handle Sleeve and attach it on the opposite side.
To reverse ejection, replace the bolt with a mirrored bolt. Remove the ejection port cover and attach it on the opposite side.

EMPLOYMENT
The Cavalier Compatible Carbine is a compact weapon useable from horseback, while retaining admirable ballistics at range. The short top rail significantly limits sight radius, so the use of optics is highly recommended.
The weapon is capable of being used in a designated marksman role, and, although it is possible to replace the barrel in the field based on the engagement envelope, it is recommended for an armorer to specifically outfit dedicated DMR-configured weapons beforehand, in order to attach components such as the marksman's buttplate and cheekplate, long range optics, bipod, etc. The rails on the weapon are compatible with aftermarket attachments, and limited only by available rail space. For a marksman's rifle, the use of an offset reflex sight (as pictured) is recommended.

DESIGN HISTORY
Previous prototype is viewable here.
The barrel handle was originally meant to serve as a vertical foregrip, similar to the Steyr AUG. It was moved to the side to accommodate a bottom rail.

DESIGN FUTURE
In order to overcome the 6.5mm cartridge's unsuitability for belt-fed use and to take advantage of the Cavalier Convertible Carbine's quick barrel-change capability, the next step in the design will be the development of a Light Support Weapon variant. The primary component in this configuration will be a top-feeding upper receiver with an offset gas system, to allow the use of high-capacity magazines without affecting weapon handling while prone.

Description
This is a select-fire platform chambered in 6.5 Grendel, a round selected for its relatively compact size and velocity retention at long distances.

The weapon consists of an aluminum upper receiver containing a steel bolt carrier group with an extended gas key, which envelops the gas tube and is in turn enveloped by the return spring. The barrel has a set of locking lugs, which rest inside a steel chamber component. The lower receiver is polymer, as is the handguard and buttplate. The top rail is part of the upper receiver, but additional rails can be attached to the handguard in the 9, 10, 2, 3, and 6 o'clock positions, at the armorer's discretion. The weapon uses proprietary magazines.
There is a sling attachment loop under the buttplate, and multiple points on the handguard where additional sling loops can be inserted. These points can also be used to attach rails.

LOADING
Pull back the charging handle and push it down to lock the bolt carrier to the rear.
Insert a magazine.
Push one of the Bolt Release buttons OR push the charging handle up, to chamber a round.

FIRING
Push the Selector down 90 degrees for fully automatic fire.
Pull the trigger. This pulls the connector forward, releasing the hammer. The trigger keeps the connector's sear from re-engaging, so the hammer will continue operating until the trigger is released.

Move the selector to the 45 degree position for semi automatic fire.
Pull the trigger. There are a set of protrusions on the selector which, on the semi-auto position, disengage the connector from the trigger when the weapon is fired. The connector's sear immediately locks the hammer. Releasing the trigger will re-engage it with the connector.

RELOADING
When the last round is fired, the bolt carrier locks to the rear (the charging handle does not, as it is non-reciprocating).
Acquire a new magazine, push the Mag Release up, and secure the empty magazine.
Insert the new magazine.
Push one of the Bolt Release buttons to chamber a round.

BARREL CHANGE
Twist the front of the gas block clockwise and pull the gas valve forward, disengaging it from the gas tube.
Push the Handle Release Button to open up the Barrel Handle, which naturally rests in a hollow in the 8 o'clock position.
Opening the handle reveals the Barrel Unlock Button, on the inner part of the mechanism between the handle and barrel.
Push this button, enabling the barrel to rotate. Rotate it clockwise, until the handle is in the 9 o'clock position.
Pull the barrel out of the receiver, holding it by the handle.

Insert the new barrel into the receiver, with the handle horizontal at the 9 o'clock position.
Turn the handle down, to the 8 o'clock position, and fold it into its niche by pushing the Handle Release Button.
Twist the front of the gas block counterclockwise and re-engage the valve to the gas tube.

DISASSEMBLY
Push the Buttplate Release buttons on both sides, unlocking the buttplate.
Swivel the buttplate downward.
Push the Takedown Buttons on both sides, freeing the upper and lower receiver.
Swivel the lower receiver down. At this point it remains connected only via the Pivot Pin, and all internals are accessible.

RIGHT-LEFT CONVERSION
The Selector, Bolt Release, and Mag Release are identical on both sides.
The ejection port and charging handle window are likewise mirrored.
To reverse the Charging Handle, unscrew it from its position in the Charging Handle Sleeve and attach it on the opposite side.
To reverse ejection, replace the bolt with a mirrored bolt. Remove the ejection port cover and attach it on the opposite side.

EMPLOYMENT
The Cavalier Compatible Carbine is a compact weapon useable from horseback, while retaining admirable ballistics at range. The short top rail significantly limits sight radius, so the use of optics is highly recommended.
The weapon is capable of being used in a designated marksman role, and, although it is possible to replace the barrel in the field based on the engagement envelope, it is recommended for an armorer to specifically outfit dedicated DMR-configured weapons beforehand, in order to attach components such as the marksman's buttplate and cheekplate, long range optics, bipod, etc. The rails on the weapon are compatible with aftermarket attachments, and limited only by available rail space. For a marksman's rifle, the use of an offset reflex sight (as pictured) is recommended.

DESIGN HISTORY
Previous prototype is viewable here.
The barrel handle was originally meant to serve as a vertical foregrip, similar to the Steyr AUG. It was moved to the side to accommodate a bottom rail.

DESIGN FUTURE
In order to overcome the 6.5mm cartridge's unsuitability for belt-fed use and to take advantage of the Cavalier Convertible Carbine's quick barrel-change capability, the next step in the design will be the development of a Light Support Weapon variant. The primary component in this configuration will be a top-feeding upper receiver with an offset gas system, to allow the use of high-capacity magazines without affecting weapon handling while prone.