Polish gun manufacturer Fabryka Broni recently announced the full line up for the MSBS “Radon” modular dual conventional/bullpup layout rifle, in development since 2007. The MSBS is an improved relative of the Remington ACR/Magpul Masada. Frag Out! released a video recently of the MSBS in action, with a guest appearance by the 1930s Radom wz. 35 “Vis” pistol, embedded below:

Janes reports on the new MSBS line up:

Polish small arms manufacturer Fabryka Broni unveiled its entire Modular Small Arms System calibre 5.56 mm (MSBS-5.56) assault rifle family, currently on order for the Polish Armed Forces, for the first time at the MSPO defence exhibition in Kielce.

Equipped with a quick-release barrel, the MSBS-5.56 is small arms system chambered in 5.56×45 mm with a unique feature: a common upper receiver for both classic and bullpup configurations.

The MSBS-5.56 upper receiver is a base to which other modules are attached: a barrel, a handguard, and a lower receiver with a classic folding and telescopic stock or in bullpup configuration. The MSBS system has been under development since 2007 by Fabryka Broni in co-operation with the Military University of Technology in Warsaw.

The family of MSBS-5.56 small arms has 11 rifle variants. The classic (MSBS-5.56K) and bullpup (MSBS-5.56B) designs each have five variants: an 11-inch barrel carbine, a 16-inch barrel standard assault rifle, a standard assault rifle with GL underbarrel grenade launcher, a 16-inch precise barrel designated marksman, and a 16-inch heavy barrel light support rifle. The classic version also comes in a parade rifle variant designed for the Polish Honour Guard Battalion (Batalion Reprezentacyjny), equipped with a 18-inch barrel designed for blank cartridges and a strengthened fixed buttstock with a steel stock.

The rifle is to be a successor of Soviet SKS carbines in use since the 1960s. [Nathaniel’s note: This is technically correct. An “Honor Guard” version of the MSBS has been developed and displayed in use with some Polish ceremonial units, replacing the SKS. However, the current Polish standard issue weapon is the 5.56mm AK-derived Beryl, in use since the late 1990s]

Pawel Madej, technical director of Fabryka Broni, told IHS Jane’s , “We are in the middle of the armed forces trials of the MSBS-5.56 standard assault rifle, to be finished in 2016. However, the system passed all qualification tests and is ready for serial production. This year 100 MSBS-5.56 rifles of low-rate initial production will be manufactured.”

Poland ordered 14,000 MSBS rifles in May 2014 for its Tytan (Titan) Advanced Individual Battle System (AIBS) programme. IHS Jane’s understands that the first phase will include the delivery of the standard 16-inch barrel versions both with and without underbarrel grenade launchers. The second phase will involve the delivery of the specialised MSBS-5.56 variants (carbine, designated marksman, and light support).

The many different bullpup versions of the MSBS. These share their receiver with the conventional variant. Note the compatibility with AR-15 pistol grips. Image source: stailker.livejournal.com/

Polish military news outlet Altair.com has also covered the new rifle lineup; a machine translation of their article is below:

At the International Defence Industry Weapon Factory on the stand for the first time, you can see the entire family system rifles MSBS-5.56, both in the classical and butt. What’s more, Archer presented on a separate position also all components included in the system.

Family rifles MSBS-5.56 in a butt (foreground variety of basic, behind subkarabinek and machine gun and sniper), in the background variety ceremonial for ammunition blind was founded on the need Battalion Representative

In early August, finished completing 16 models MSBS-5.56, resulting in the project MSBS-5.56 / Rawat. To this number includes six classic MSBS-5,56K (two subkarabinki, sniper rifles and carbines machine) and ten bezkolbowych MSBS-5,56B (two subkarabinki, basic rifles, carbines-grenade launchers, sniper rifles and carbines machine). This allows, along with the previously developed within the project MSBS basic rifle and rifle-grenade launcher, to present the entire modular family of weapons. All structures are to be supplied with a mounting rail mounted on folding mechanical devices celowniczymi (midges basis and foundation of the viewfinder).Yet still the standard basic rifle sighting will be collimator CK-1T.

Subkarabinek has a barrel length of 256 mm, while its length can be changed even after the tests weapons. The classic version is completed slotted, open the outlet device better damping flame outlet. In the embodiment bezkolbowej barrel is entirely hidden in the bed, and ultimately is to appear on it moderator, or special output unit of larger dimensions, in which the gases are blown forward, and not on the sides. The aim is to reduce signature weapons at the shooting, as well as the resulting roar in the conduct of fire with such a short barrel, the addition of the outlet located closer to the ear shooter.

Modular Small Arms 5.56 mm in the classical system complete

Basic carbine with a 406-mm barrel and its variant rifle-grenade launcher (with underslung grenade launcher ammunition jednostrzałowym GP 40 mm x 46SR) were developed before the project MSBS. Currently it has been completed so. the model of the structure under the Polish soldier of the future Titan. In 2016, the gun has to go the prototype test after the possible changes.

Another element of the family is 5.56 MSBS-machine gun with 406-mm barrel with a heavier profile. It is to be powered with a larger capacity magazines. It is a construction designed to provide support at the level of the team and adapted a more intense fire serial and continuous than basic rifle. Hence the lack hook knife-bayonet and open, slotted outlet device better damping flame outlet during intense shooting.

All modules included in the system MSBS-5.56 / Photo: Remigiusz Wolf

The system complements the sniper rifle with a 406-mm precision barrel, whose installation was made more thoroughly, observing narrower tolerance. Thanks to this weapon has to be more accurate. The barrel of this construction is completed is a device adapted to rapidly exhaust silencer attachment. Carbine sniper is to be a target sets with another device drain, with more precise trigger dwuoporowym (optionally or in their own Archer or commercial interchangeable with AR-15) and the optical viewfinder (probably without magnification production PCO LDK-4 4×32).

Family supplements carbine representative in the classical system, which is a special type of primary weapon with a long, 508-mm barrel with a reduced diameter adapted to fire only blank ammunition 5.56 mm x 45. Of course, because it is a modular weapon, at any moment can be replace any length barrel to live ammunition. For arms to be delivered knife-bayonet with chrome, shiny surface.

Variety representative is equipped with an extended and reinforced steel flask with okutym sectional pad, to gain an appropriate sound effect when hitting the ground. Additionally, it has a soft masking founded on the dorsal mounting rail and the dummy mechanical iron sights, which give it the appearance of combat. The whole is designed to Battalion Representative who is seeking a new weapon to replace the previously used 7.62 mm carbine Simonov (SKS), brought into service in 1950.

Fabryka Broni announced during SHOT Show that the MSBS is slated to come to the US market sometime in the next couple of years. If and when it does, it may be a rare moment of shared enthusiasm on the part of both die-hard conventional and bullpup fans, alike.