#Hydra

Maine-based Hydra Weaponry has beefed up their pistol-caliber carbine game with a new 10mm option. At SHOT Show, they’re displaying their new Marck-15 Hydra 10mm H21, a new configuration of their Hydra semi-auto design.

This week at Eurosatory 2022, Rheinmetall showcased a surprise, not their first tank the KF-51 or their unmanned ground vehicle that can launch loitering missiles, but the Squad Support Weapon or SSW40. It appears that the SSW40 is a matured version of the Hydra, a prototype automatic magazine-fed grenade launcher, which was first exhibited by Rheinmetall in 2012.

Turkish gunmaker Hatsan is known for their widely varied line of Escort shotguns. In addition to scatterguns, they also make a series of air rifles – even one that shoots arrows. These airguns can serve as fun plinkers, teaching/training tools, or handle some small game hunting and pest eradication duties. If you’re tired of squirrels getting into your carefully-tended backyard garden, Hatsan may have a gun for you. Now with an August 4th press release, they’ve announced a new multi-caliber air-powered weapon: the aptly-named Hydra.

What if there was a caliber that was suitable for everything from coyote to brown bear, kicked less than your whitetail gun, fit in a micro-length (2.25″/58mm) action, and cost a quarter a round to shoot? That would be a pretty awesome caliber, wouldn’t it? It turns out that this caliber might already exist, if the industry can fulfill its potential: It is the Russian 7.62x39mm caliber used by the infamous AK-47 rifle.

I was headed past Milkor USA’s booth today to take a look at their lightweight 40mm launcher when a launcher of a whole different aesthetic caught my eye: The 40mm Hydra.  With a large hydraulic buffer tube mated to the chamber and barrel, sitting above a grip frame with wood grip panels, and a very large box magazine that indexes somewhat like a Thompson SMG, it certainly did not look like the other rotary launchers on display.  I talked to their designer, and apparently it is a collaboration between Milkor USA and Rheinmetall Waffen.  An even more interesting point came up when he informed me that the Hydra can fire semi or full auto, at a rate of fire of 10 rounds in less than 2 seconds!  The Hydra could possibly succeed where the Czech RAG-30 and CZW-40 didn’t quite achieve, in controlled shoulder fired 40mm automatic grenade fire.  It is pictured here with a 6 round magazine, but also has 4 and 10 round magazines. 

MG Industries (MGI) is now making a New York compliant AR-style rifle that is based on their existing modular Hydra rifle design. The NY compliant gun retains the ability to change calibers quickly.

Looks like a great starting kit for someone looking at getting their first AR platform rifle.  MGI is now offering kits that include a lower, 223/556 upper, .22LR upper and 9MM upper and for an MSRP of $2250, its not a bad deal for all three calibers.  More information on the complete kits in the press release after the break.  Check out the video on the Hydra system below.