The Karabiner 98 Kurz, or the Kar-98k for short, is the standard weapon of the Axis Rifleman class as well as a choice for the Elite Riflemen Class in Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad,
General Information[]
The Kar98k is a bolt-action rifle that uses a five round stripper clip. Like other bolt-action rifles, the effective fire rate of this weapon can be greatly improved by toggling the bolt action to manual in the options menu. Manual bolting also allows ammo conservation as reloading on anything other than an empty clip without cycling the action saves a bullet from being needlessly ejected.
The Kar98k can be upgraded to accommodate a bayonet, dramatically improving its melee capabilities to the point that it kills most opponents in just one stab. Fully-leveled Kar98ks have their sight hoods (the ghost ring part of the iron sight) removed, marginally improving the visibility of targets. The Kar98k is functionally similar to its Russian, American, and Japanese equivalents. A breakdown of its characteristics give a better idea on how it fares against the MN9130 Rifle:
At 3.7 kilos, the Kar98k is slightly lighter than the Mosin-Nagant, meaning that users have a slightly faster movement speed. With manual bolting on, users can cycle the bolt in 0.91 seconds, making it rechamber slightly faster than the Mosin-Nagant. It has a slightly bigger hipfire spread, and while the bullet deals identical damage, it moves at about 100 m/s slower, meaning that users have to lead their targets more at long range (although bullet speed is still much faster than average). The bullet is more likely to lose accuracy at range. Its bullets have better penetration. Its reload speed is marginally faster than the Mosin-Nagant for a full stripper clip, although per-bullet reloads are identical in terms of speed.
In conclusion, the Kar98k has very slightly better handling, movement, and reloading speed characteristics, and does better against enemies behind thin cover, but fares slightly poorer at long range than the Mosin-Nagant.
Available Upgrades:
- Level 25 - Bayonet, Winter Trigger Guard
- Level 50 - Remove Sight Hood
History[]
Historical/factual information:The Karabiner 98k was designed in 1935 by the Mauser Company. It was designed as a replacement for the Mauser Gewehr 98, then in service in the German Army throughout WW1. The Kar98k was used extensively in WW2 and in some Modern wars today. It fires the 8mm Mauser (7.92) round.
Mauser K98k
Trivia[]
- The engravings on the action say "byf 41." Meaning that the rifle was made in Oberndorf, in 1941.