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FB MSBS Grot
Polish modular firearm system From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The MSBS Grot (Polish: Modułowy System Broni Strzeleckiej „Grot”, lit. 'Modular Firearm System "Grot"', previously known as the Randon) is a family of Polish modular rifles developed and manufactured by FB Radom[3].
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History
The MSBS program was in development since 2007 by the Military University of Technology (WAT) in Warsaw with cooperation from the firearms manufacturer Fabryka Broni Radom,[4][5] and was designed to replace the FB Beryl as the standard-issue service rifle of the Polish Armed Forces.
During initial tests conducted by the Military University of Technology, the MSBS-5.56 and its counterpart HK416 were subjected to comparative testing of the barrel and hand-guard for overheating during an intensive firing schedule.
According to the tests, MSBS yielded the better results of the two rifles despite having a relatively light and longer barrel profile.[6]
Additional tests have also shown that MSBS is less susceptible to jamming when using lower quality ammunition or when it is insufficiently maintained,[7] and had a more manageable recoil when fired in full-auto compared to other assault rifles chambered in the 5.56 cartridge, such as FB Beryl, HK416, FN SCAR-L or CZ BREN 2.[8]
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Design
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The MSBS Grot is a selective fire modular assault rifle which is capable of semi-automatic, 3-round burst and fully automatic fire. It has a cyclic rate of fire of around 700–900 rounds per minute.
Grot variants use the same lock and the modular structure ensures the interchangeability of parts and accessories.
The MSBS-5.56 features fully ambidextrous controls and Picatinny rail, and it may also be fed from standard STANAG magazines.[9]
Modularity
Both the MSBS Grot C and MSBS Grot B are planned in 5 different configurations and have many common interchangeable parts and can be converted from one to the other:[10][11]
The benefits of this feature allow an infantry squad to have fewer specialised weapons. MSBS may also be used with components other than the ones manufactured domestically, and it is the first Polish rifle fully compliant with the NATO standards.
MSBS Grot B and MSBS Grot C
Currently only the MSBS Grot C in assault rifle, carbine, configuration with a grenade launcher, MSBS Grot R and MSBS Grot S are available.
The MSBS Grot B, and the machine gun and designated marksman rifle configurations are not yet produced. Conversion kits between variants are also not yet available. Conversion kit to change the calibre to 7.62×39mm is available.[13]
Polish military adoption
Since the Polish ministry of defence ordered 53,000 of the MSBS assault rifles, Fabryka Broni has introduced a military naming designation for the MSBS series.[14]
Following the adoption of the MSBS-5.56 by the Polish military, the Grot moniker has been added to the MSBS name in honor of the Home Army commander, General Stefan "Grot" Rowecki.[15][16]
Upgrades
The M2 was developed to address the issues found on the early production models.[17][18] The bullpup configuration did not receive the M2 upgrade due to the lack of interest from the Polish military.
The changes included a longer upper receiver with M-LOK compatible handguard and heat stop covers, a quick-detach sling mounting points, FB made pistol grip instead of previous Magpul pistol grip due to shortage during mass production, reinforced buttstock, reinforced secondary sights, strengthened, thicker charging handle, reinforced firing pin (not interchangeable with the old one from M1), FB made polymer translucent magazine, new lock (not interchangeable with the old one from M1), and new slide (not interchangeable with the old one from M1).[19]
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Variants
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The following variants were designed based on the requests from the Polish Armed Forces to replace currently used firearms such as the AKM, FB Beryl, FB Mini-Beryl, and Pallad grenade launcher.
MSBS Grot C
Grot C (Polish: klasyczny) is the classic configuration of the MSBS-5.56, chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO or 7.62×39mm cartridge with a folding and retractable stock.[20]
MSBS-5, 56A0
Initial production, 1,000 produced.
FB-M1
First production batch, also known as the “MSBS-5,56A1“: modified charging handle and additional strap mount point on the picatinny rail.[21]
FB-M2
Second production batch, also known as the MSBS-5,56A2: longer handguard to cover the gas block, reinforced firing pin for dry fire practice, improved pistol grip and buttstock.[22]
MSBS Grot B
Grot B (Polish: bezkolbowy) is similar to the MSBS Grot C but in bullpup configuration.
The MSBS Grot was designed to share a universal upper receiver for both the classic and bullpup configurations, which leads to the ease of conversion by simply swapping the lower receiver.
MSBS Grot R
Ceremonial variant of the MSBS Grot, designed to be used by honor guards which has been adapted to fire blanks and withstand drills. With the modularity of the MSBS Grot, the barrel can be swapped to fire live ammunition.
Grot 762N
The Grot 762N is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.[23][23][24][23]
Grot S
Civilian semi-automatic only variant of the MSBS Grot without the bayonet-mount, available with 4 different variants of barrels: 10.5-, 14.5-, and 16-inch in .223 Remington and 16-inch in 7.62×39mm.[25]
Grot A3
The Grot A3 was publicly presented at the Grotowisko 2024 small-arms conference, held in Zegrze from June 22 to 23, 2024.[26] Its development was based on lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine.[27]
Adoption
Poland
The MSBS is intended to ultimately replace the FB Beryl as the Polish service rifle.[28]
Currently, the rifle is in service with the Polish Territorial Defence Forces and is scheduled to replace FB Beryl as the primary infantry weapon and service rifle of the Polish Armed Forces.[15]
Overseas
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine 10,000 Grot C16A2 rifles were sent to the Ukrainian military.[1][29][30]
On May 9, 2022, the public was informed about the conclusion of an agreement between the Polish Armaments Group and an undefined East African country for the supply of an unspecified number of MSBS Grot assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39mm rounds as specified by the customer, along with 40 mm grenade launchers and optical sights DCM-1 Szafir [31] manufactured by PCO S.A.[32]
In January 2025, a photo appeared on the X website (formerly Twitter) showing small arms captured by soldiers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from M23 rebels - among them a Grot carbine powered by 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition.[33]
Soldiers of the Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej (WOT) with MSBS Grot C16
WOT soldiers with MSBS Grot C16 and Javelin missile launcher
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Users
Poland: Polish Armed Forces, 184,000 planned by 2026.[34][35]
- Territorial Defence Force, 53,000 in 2017.[34]
Rwanda: On September 1, 2023, PGZ concluded a contract for the supply of MSBS Grot rifles with an unspecified East-Central African country.[36] On January 31, 2024, the Defense24 portal listed Rwanda as the recipient of Polish rifles, but it is not certain whether the deliveries concern Grot or other rifles.[37] In 2024, photos circulated on the web showing a Rwandan soldier with a 7.62x39 Grot fitted with a GP grenade launcher.[38]
Ukraine: 10,000 Grot C16 FB-M1 and A2 variant assault rifles donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1] In 2023, it was announced that an unspecified number of Grot C16 A2 rifles had been ordered by Ukraine, but later on such claims have been denied.[39][40]
United States: Unknown quantity sold to Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).[41]
Non-state users
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See also
References
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External links
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