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The Polish MSBS is a modular assault rifle, based on the Bushmaster ACR
Model MSBS-556K(conventional) MSBS-556B(bullpup)
Country of origin Poland
Entered service 2014 (?) ?
Caliber 5.56 x 45 mm
Weight (empty) 3.65 kg 3.4 ~ 3.55 kg
Length 900 mm 720 mm
Length (with folded stock) 670 mm -
Barrel length 406 mm
Muzzle velocity ?
Cyclic rate of fire 700 - 750 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire ~ 500 m
The MSBS (Modulowy System Broni Streleckiej) is a new Polish family of modular infantry weapons. It includes assault rifles both with conventional and bullpup layout, that have many interchangeable components. The MSBS family was developed to replace the older Polish Army weapons, such as reliable but out-datedBeryl assault rifle, based on the Soviet AK-74. The MSBS family of rifles was developed by Polish Military Technical Academy and local Lucznik arms manufacturer. Development commenced in 2007. First prototypes appeared in 2009. In around 2012 Polish MoD acquired a small number of Bushmaster ACR assault rifles for trials and evaluation. These were used by the Polish special forces in Afghanistan. That was a turning point, when prototypes of the MSBS were significantly redesigned and received many features of the Bushmaster ACR. The MSBS can be even seen as a Polish clone of the ACR. It looks like initial production of MSBS rifles for the Polish Army trials commenced in 2014. These assault rifles are used in small numbers by the Polish armed forces and ministry of internal affairs. This weapon is still in development and as of 2016 new versions continue to emerge.
There are two basic variants of the MSBS, based around a common receiver. Version with conventional layout and a folding stock is intended as a standard-issue service rifle of the Polish army, while the bullpup version is intended for special forces. Both of these assault rifles are gas-operated, selective fire weapons. Internal mechanics strongly resembles that of the Bushmaster ACR. Initial versions of the MSBS were chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. In 2014 a version chambered for a Russian 7.62x39 mm ammunition appeared. In 2016 another version chambered for standard NATO 7.62x51 mm ammunition appeared.
The receiver, along with internal components, is common for both versions of MSBS rifles. Both stock versions are attached to the receiver using cross-pins.
Modularity of this weapon allows easy replacement of the barrel and other components. Due to modularity both versions of MSBS rifles can be transformed into carbines, light machine guns, or designated marksmen rifles. A baseline assault version has a 406 mm (16") barrel, carbine version has a 256 mm (10") barrel, light machine gun version has a 406 mm (16") heavy barrel for sustained fire, while the designated marksman variant has a 406 mm (16") precision barrel and a two-stage trigger. These variants are common both for conventional and bullpup versions. Also assault rifle with conventional layout can be converted into bullpup layout and vice versa. The main goal behind this modularity and interchangeability of parts was to reduce production costs and to simplify logistics. Fewer parts are needed to be stored. Furthermore a baseline assault rifle can be quickly adapted for a variety of roles. In combat a standard assault rifle can be sacrificed to repair a light machine gun and so on.
All controls of these weapons are ambidextrous. A safety/fire mode selector switch is mounted on each side of the receiver and is operated by a thumb. It has 3 positions for "safe", "semi-auto", and "full-auto". There are two symmetrical ejection ports for spent cases on each side of the receiver. One of them is always covered, so ejection can be set up to either side. Unusually there are two charging handles, located on either side of the receiver. Magazine release button is also ambidextrous.
These weapons are normally fed from 30-round magazines. These are standard NATO (M16-type) magazines and are interchangeable with other Western assault rifles. Also there are Polish 10-, 20-, 60- and 100-round capacity magazines, developed for these weapons.
The MSBS assault rifle with a conventional layout has a side-folding and telescoping buttstock. The stock can be adjusted for length. Version with bullpup layout has a fixed buttplate. Foregrips of both versions are interchangeable.
Both conventional and bullpup MSBS assault rifles have a full-length Picatinny-type rail for various optics. These assault rifles are fitted with simple iron sights as standard, however various scopes or night vision sights can be easily installed. Range of effective fire is around 500 meters.
A dedicated 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher can be installed. These assault rifles can also mount a proprietary knife-bayonet or sound suppressor. There are Picatinny-type accessory rail for other accessories, such as vertical grip, tactical flashlight or laser pointer.
Variants
MSBS-556K is an assault rifle with conventional layout. The letter "K" in the designation stands for "Klasyczny" or "classic". Number "556" in the designation indicates that this weapon is chambered for the 5.56x45 mm ammunition.
MSBS-556B is an assault rifle with bullpup layout. Letter "B" in the designation stands for "Bezkolbowy" or "bullpup". It is also chambered for 5.56x45 mm ammunition. This weapon can converted into assault rifle with conventional layout and vice versa.
MSBS-556R is a parade model used by honor guards. This weapon is chambered for 5.56x45 mm ammunition, but can only fire blanks. However as far as it is a modular weapon, it can be easily converted to a combat rifle, that can shoot live ammunition.
MSBS-762S is a version chambered for the Russian 7.62x39 mm ammunition. It is intended for export customers. It looks that this weapon is compatible with 7.62 mm Kalashnikov magazines.
MSBS-762N is a version chambered for a standard NATO 7.62x51 mm ammunition. A prototype of this battle rifle with conventional layout was revealed in 2016. The baseline version has a 406 mm (16") barrel. Also there is a designated marksman rifle with a 508 mm (20") precision barrel and fully adjustable stock.
There were plans to develop a 12-gauge combat shotgun, based on the MSBS platform.
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