The MSBS or Modułowy System Broni Strzeleckiej (eng. Modular Small Arms System) is primed to be the next generation assault rifle for the Polish Armed forces. Designed entirely in Poland as a collaboration between the WAT (eng. Military Technical Academy) and the Łucznik Firearms Plant in Radom, this platform has seen many changes over the years of testing and development. This is what the final product looks like just a few months before going into production.
The main goal of the project is to supply the Polish Armed Forces with a modular platform built around the 5.56×45 NATO round. Modular, meaning the capacity for changing the firearm’s role in field conditions with simple tools. The MSBS family is to include a Classic Carbine, Bullpup Carbine, Bullpup Sub-Carbine, LMG, and DMR configurations. All of these should have parts interchangeable with the rest to the extent of even swapping upper and lover receivers to change the gun’s configuration, “on the move”, to adapt to different scenarios and fighting conditions.
As for now the final version prototypes are going through pre production testing by the Polish Military and the first mass production batch is to be manufactured as early as the 1st quarter of 2014. The project will first include the assault rifle configuration, with the rest of the configurations going into production by 2016.
Features:
– Ergonomic design. Polymer body to reduce weight. All angles on the gun tuned to supply the shooter with maximum comfort and stability. Very good balance.
– The gun is fully ambidextrous. The selector lever (above the pistol grip), magazine release button (above the trigger guard) and bolt catch (incorporated in the trigger guard) can be operated with just the trigger finger or thumb. The non reciprocating charging handle is also ambidextrous and can be used as a forward assist.
– Full length optic mounting picatiny rail. Hand guards that are rail-free and can be fitted with rail sections for mounting specific accessories. This design is superior to a full quad rail that has to be fitted with rail covers on the unused sections of the rail to prevent injury to the hands.
– The stock is adjustable for the length and has a front and back adjustable cheek piece. For ease of transportation the stock can be folded altogether to the right side.
– Short stroke gas piston operated with an adjustable gas system.
– Accepts all AR15 style STANAG magazines.
– Weight: 3.4kg/7,5 lb bullpup, 3.7kg/8.15 lb classic
– Barrel length: standard barrel 406mm/16″, other barrel lengths 254mm/10″, 330mm/13″, 508mm/20″
– Overall length: 720mm/28.35″ bullpup, 980mm/38.5″ classic (buttstock retracted)
– Each rifle can be fitted with a new ergonomic 40mm Grenade Launcher.
– Optics: The standard sight for the weapon is supposed to be the Aimpoint Micro T1 with flip up mechanical sights as backup. However this year’s MSPO featured a rifle fitted with the new (Polish made) optic CKD-1 Sapphire which consists of a 4×32 illuminated reticle optic and a 3 MOA red dot. Furthermore a thermal weapon sight SCT Rubin can also be mounted for special operations use.
This weapon system does create a lot of excitement among Polish Military members as well as the civilian market. We are looking forward to the production model and civilian version that should hit the shelves sometime in mid 2014. More than likely these will also be available in the US via a proxy company of the Radom firearms plant.
Stay safe,
Sergei
