Lever Action Service Rifle Mk. II LASR

The Dakotastan Infantry Weapon Modernization Program was started by the Agrarian Republic Cavalry's research arm to work with the commercial firearms corporations of Dakotastan to develop a new, modern infantry weapon. Initial goals were put forth that outlined a weapon capable of at least semi-automatic fire, magazine-fed, excellent stopping power, capability for advanced add-on features including advanced sighting systems, low weight, ease-of-use, low procurement cost, and "sufficiently better than the current, dated in-service Lever Action Service Rifle." The program gained steam and was eventually rolled into the Future Agrarian Cavalryman program along with programs for technologies such as advanced communications, battlefield management, ballistic armor, helmets etc. The program was intended to bring the Agrarian Republic Cavalry to the same level as the rest of the world in terms of advanced individual gear and protective equipment.

However, the fiscally-minded government would have nothing of this and eventually the whole of the Future Agrarian Cavalryman program would produce unheard of advancements to the average infantryman such as off-the-shelf two-way radios, an additional pocket on uniforms, and a brand new infantry rifle. The new rifle however would bear little resemblance to the initial goals of the program with every requirement being eliminated except being magazine-fed, stopping power, and ease of use. Thus, the Lever Action Service Rifle was in essence entirely reborn. The Mk. II uses XX ammunition, a significant leap up from the Mk. I though at the cost of less ammunition storage (but magazine fed as opposed to a tubular magazine in the Mk. I). Fire support infantry will be issued with a modified Mk. II that uses a conventional tube-fed action but using a helical magazine in place of the front portion of the stock. Mk. Is will remain in service in its carbine configuration for vehicle crews, special forces, air crews, security forces, and in reserve.

As stated, the program goal of low procurement costs was also removed from the goals and as such the Mk. II is a fairly expensive weapon being largely hand-made by Langer Repeating Arms Company and using fine grades of rosewood.

The magazine might be too large and interfere with the lever, I might shorten it or something. No idea on caliber yet.