BNTI Arms is a Jacksonville, FL based company that is releasing a dedicated 7.62x39mm AR15 to the public called the AR/AK 7.62 BA Beast Optics Ready Rifle. The company has previously focused on .308 Win and 5.56x45mm NATO rifles in the past and this will be the first 7.62x39mm rifle released. Interestingly the company appears to have primarily developed the rifle for the Nigerian Military/LE market, possibly through U.S. AFRICOM, or it could have been otherwise contracted and exported. Previously we reported on the presence of 7.62x39mm Polish Beryl AKs in use by the Nigerians, in addition to the AKMs already in service with the country. The U.S. civilian version is of course semi-automatic and has a legal 16″ barrel. It features a Magpul ACS-L stock, Magpul handguard on a carbine length gas tube. It comes with one steel 28 round 7.62x39mm magazine. The upper and lower receivers are both forged 7076 T-6, which is usually not seen on many civilian ARs. From the press release-

The new AR/AK 7.62 BA Beast Optics Ready Rifle’s performance-driven design is engineered for extreme durability and reliability. From the precision-machined MIL-Spec forged lower and upper to the MIL-Spec lower parts kit, the rifle is filled with premium features not found in comparable rifles. BNTI ARMS rifles will deliver the accuracy, reliability and durability expected by militaries and American gun owners.

 

BNTI Warrior Series AR/AK 7.62 BA Beast Optics Ready Rifle Specifications-

Lower Receiver:

• Precision machined MIL-Spec forged 7075-T6 lower
• Receiver hard coat anodized MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 2 black
• Heavily beveled & relieved mag well
• Bullet pictogram safety markings
• Billet aluminum trigger guard
• MIL-Spec lower parts kit
• BCP QD end plate
• 7075-T6 6-position aluminum buffer tube, hard coat anodized MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 2 black
• H2 4.6 oz. carbine buffer
• MIL-Spec 17-7 steel carbine buffer spring
• Ergo rubber overmold pistol grip

Upper Receiver:

• MIL-Spec forged 7075-T6 aluminum alloy M4 upper receiver with M4 feed ramps, hard coat anodized MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 2 black
• Magpul MOE polymer M-LOK handguard &MOE M-LOK vertical grip
• 6061-T6 AXTX “Raptor” billet charging handle
• 304 stainless steel carbine length gas tube
• Magpul Pro flip up rear sight

Bolt Carrier Group:

• US made M16 type case hardened 9310 steel
• Magnetic particle inspected
• Extended length centerless ground firing pin
• MIL-STD 1816 tested for both HPT & MPT

Rear Stock:

• Magpul ACS-L polymer stock

Accessories:

• One (1) C Products Defense anti-tilt stainless steel 28-rd. magazine
• One (1) gun cable lock (US sales only)

Barrel:

• 16″ 4150 midweight profile barrel, carbine gas length
• 1:10 twist
• A2 front sight
• A2 flash hider

There have been a number of 7.62x39mm AR rifles around for a number of years, with entries from Palmetto, Colt, Primary Arms, the Israeli Gilboa, and Liberaty Gun Works to name but just a few. Obviously there is a small market for the platform, but it appears to be much smaller than most others.