The Kefefs () or Kifefs, Kefeus is a Greek-made

bolt-action Bolt action is a type of manual Action (firearms), firearm action that is operated by ''directly'' manipulating the bolt (firearms), turn-bolt via a cocking handle, bolt handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the firearm (a ...

sniper rifle A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long range shooting, long-range rifle. Requirements include high accuracy, reliability, mobility, concealment, and optics, for anti-personnel weapon, anti-personnel, anti-materiel rifle, anti-materiel and sur ...

designed by Hellenic Arms Industry in 1986 and named after an ancient mythical king. The Kefefs fires rounds chambered in

7.62×51mm NATO The 7.62×51mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 7.62 NATO) is a rimless, straight walled, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge. It is a standard for small arms among NATO countries. First developed in the 1950s, the cartridge had first be ...

Design details

The Kefefs rifle contains the following features: * It has a cold-hammered, high-precision, free-floating, exposed barrel made of special high-grade steel while its receiver, bolt and all metal components are also made of special steel. * It uses a simple and robust bolt-action mechanism with a 50° opening angle, enables the bolt to be flexible and easy to open. The third lug of the three locking lugs located at the front of the bolt acts as a rail which gives the bolt a friction-free and smooth movement. * The firing mechanism incorporates an extremely quiet, thumb-operated safety the stiffness of which is adjustable. * Designed by Athan Calligeris Ph.D. with an ergonomically and elegantly designed stock, which is made of high-quality walnut with cross-knurling, is of the Monte Carlo model. * The trigger pull and travel can also be adjusted. A wide range of telescopic sights and sight mounts is available to suit the user's requirements, since it is the sighting system which plays an important role in sniping. * Such scopes are adjustable for windage and elevation. Night vision devices are also available. The weapon is supplied with a bipod (having a quick release mechanism), a carrying sling and a complete field-service kit.

Variants

There are two variants of the Kefefs: * Kefefs-M: A variant of the Kefefs made for military personnel coated with high-strength, heat-resistant camouflage paints with either forest or desert camouflage. * Kefefs-P: A variant of the Kefefs made for police personnel with a slightly longer, heavier, externally fluted barrel and an oil-polished stock.

Users

*: Used by special forces and the '' Ειδική Κατασταλτική Αντιτρομοκρατική Μονάδα'' (EKAM) unit of the

Hellenic Police The Hellenic Police (, ''Ellinikí Astynomía'', abbreviated ) is the national police service and one of the three security forces of Greece (the others being the Hellenic Fire Service and the Hellenic Coast Guard). It is a large agency with res ...

, and unit of the

Hellenic Army The Hellenic Army (, sometimes abbreviated as ΕΣ), formed in 1828, is the army, land force of Greece. The term Names of the Greeks, '' Hellenic'' is the endogenous synonym for ''Greek''. The Hellenic Army is the largest of the three branches ...

References

{{reflist 7.62×51mm NATO rifles Bolt-action rifles Sniper rifles of Greece Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1995