Guide · 2 min read
Reading a spec sheet
Every ARSENALIS entry follows the same structure so systems can be compared fairly. This guide explains each field, its unit and how to interpret it.
Identity
Name and alias give the common designation and alternative names. Country is the country of origin, shown with its flag; manufacturer is the designer or principal producer. Year is the year of introduction or adoption, and status indicates whether a system is in service or historical. Category places it in the catalog taxonomy, for example assault rifle or general-purpose machine gun.
Ammunition and dimensions
Caliber names the cartridge, linking to its ammunition profile where one exists. Barrel length and overall length are in millimetres; folding or telescoping stocks are shown as extended and collapsed values. Weight is in kilograms, normally empty (without magazine and ammunition) unless the sheet says otherwise.
Performance
Rate of fire is the cyclic rate in rounds per minute. Muzzle velocity is in metres per second and depends on ammunition and barrel length. Effective range is in metres. See rate of fire and range for why these figures vary.
Mechanism and feed
Operating system and action describe how the weapon cycles, for example direct gas impingement with a rotating bolt; see operating systems. Fire modes list the selector positions. Feed system and capacity describe the magazine, belt or clip.
Ranges, estimates and empty fields
Where sources give a range, a sheet may show a typical value or the range itself. A dash means the value is not documented in the sources used; ARSENALIS prefers an empty field to a guess.
Sources and data trust
The data trust panel shows the sources used, the date of the last review and a reliability label. Entries without recorded sources are marked unverified. Details are in data sources and methodology.
FAQ
- Is weight shown loaded or empty?
- Normally empty, without magazine and ammunition, unless the sheet states otherwise.
- What does a dash in a field mean?
- The value is not documented in the sources used. ARSENALIS leaves fields empty rather than guessing.
- Which rate of fire is shown?
- The cyclic rate, in rounds per minute.
Educational and historical overview based on public sources. See data sources and methodology.