Frag Out! Magazine

REPORT msbs-r This is a specialized variant of the MSBS family specifically designed for ceremonial duties – for all the changing guards, interment parting salvoes, honor guards welcoming the visiting VIPs etc. This ceremonial rifle is an embodiment of the modular concept: it was not designed from scratch, but instead it uses many modules of the battle rifle, and some of these were slightly tweaked to bet- ter suit the new function. Only a handful of parts were actually changed, and it can be reconverted to a battle rifle in minutes, by just field-stripping and replacing whole modules without the need to use any external tools. The MSBS-R has a longer, full 20 inches barrel (barrel length is 508 mm, the O/A length is 987 mm – 1141 mm with bayonet), which makes it easier for ceremonial manual of arms – and may serve as a prototype for the later DMR or civilian-legal variants. This barrel has then been internally constricted to ensure functioning of the rifle with blanks without having to add a visible BFA (like in mov- ie props). The new longer barrel is covered with the new, longer handguard, reaching as far as beyond the gas regulator. That new handguard would also find its way into the longer-barrelled (16" and 20") variations of the MSBS. The only 'mission-specific' module designed especially for the 'dash R' rifle is the fixed stock. The outer shape resembles the folding one, but there's no adjustable cheek pad on that one, no LOP ad- justment – and of course no hinge. Internally it was strengthened with an internal solid metal frame to withstand the rigors of the ceremonial duty, with its numerous ground pounding at transition to Order Arms. The fixed stock is WAY more solid than the standard one, and has a steel butt plate to further reinforce it and give a better thump than the standard rubber plate. With the ceremonial rifle a new 10-rd magazine was introduced, almost flush with the lower receiver to avoid catching on accoutrements while perform- ing ceremonial manual of arms. Other than these, the 'dash R' is identical with the standard battle rifle, so upon changing the barrel (with Allen wrench carried in the rifle) and stock (no tools at all) it becomes a battle rifle again. Even the ceremonial bayonet is identical with the real thing – it is just hard chromed instead of blueing. If the Polish Army's Honor Guard Battalion introduces the MSBS-R, that move would give the MSBS a great leverage and promotion, not only at home, by abroad as well.

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