The legislation of various countries provides for the circulation of civilian weapons, but in almost all cases there are certain restrictions on the characteristics and capabilities of permitted samples. The need to meet requirements or the desire for special features often leads to the most interesting projects. So, the American company Franklin Armory recently showed for the first time a new weapon called Reformation, which, allegedly, does not fit into the existing official classification and therefore has a number of interesting legal and technical features.
To understand the situation, it is necessary to remember that since 1934, the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) has been in effect throughout the United States, introducing certain restrictions on the characteristics of civilian weapons. Specifically, it allows citizens to buy and use rifles with a rifled barrel at least 16 inches (406.4 mm) in length. For smoothbore firearms, the minimum barrel length is 18 inches (457.2 mm). To purchase samples with a shorter barrel, the shooter will have to obtain special permission and pay a tax of $ 200.
Almost a quarter of a century ago, new regulations (Assault Weapons Ban) were adopted at the federal level, which banned the production and sale of new weapons with an automatic fire mode. The circulation of already issued samples was not prohibited, but the import and production of new products were now impossible.
Amateur shooters have always wanted to get a weapon that meets their wishes, but the introduction of certain legislative restrictions sometimes hindered them. As a result, various ways to circumvent the restrictions appeared. Some of them managed to become popular, while others remained in history as technical curiosities. Recently, an interesting proposal of this kind was presented by Franklin Armory.
Until recently, the Franklin Armory Company of Minden, Nevada was one of the many manufacturers of rifles based on the AR-15 platform. The company became famous for a product called Binary Fire System or BFS ("Double Fire System"). It was a special trigger mechanism that was compatible with existing rifles and gave them extraordinary capabilities. The design of such a trigger provided a descent both when the trigger was pressed and when it was released. Thus, each time the hook was pressed, the weapon could fire two shots at once.
Recently, Franklin Armory specialists continued to search for ways to "circumvent" the existing legislation, and were able to find another opportunity to create a special weapon. Just last week, the company announced that at the upcoming Shot Show 2018 in Las Vegas, the first public demonstration of the new Reformation system, which is based on new original ideas, will take place.
The Reformation product has a reduced barrel length - only 11.5 inches (292 mm), which is significantly less than the allowed minimum. Nevertheless, due to some design features, it "falls out" of the current legislation on civilian weapons. As a consequence, such weapons, despite their appearance, do not need any special registration. Plus, the owner doesn't have to pay the $ 200 tax. At the same time, the finished weapon should show good fire characteristics and be suitable for use as an alternative to other models based on the AR-15 platform.
Development company president Jay Jacobson noted that the main ideas of the "Reformation" project could create a completely new sector in the civilian arms market. Products in this niche will not need special regulatory approvals, which may be of interest to both manufacturers and potential buyers. Perhaps a special term will have to be coined to denote the new weapon. Thus, representatives of the Franklin Armory company are already using the word non-rifle.
The other day in Las Vegas a demonstration sample of a promising "non-rifle" was presented. This product was built using off-the-shelf components from Franklin Armory and a number of other manufacturers. Like many other modern civilian weapons, the Reformation prototype is built on the basis of the AR-15 platform and outwardly does not differ much from other systems based on such a base. The main noticeable difference is the shorter barrel, placed under the complex shaped forend.
The demonstration "Reformation" is built on the basis of the Franklin Armory Libertas receiver, divided into two so-called. receiver. On the top, a barrel with a gas tube and a forend are installed; the lower one contains the magazine shaft and the firing mechanism, and also serves as the basis for mounting the butt. From the point of view of the general layout and basic principles of operation, the promising sample is no different from other versions of the AR-15.
Rifle Franklin Armory Libertas M4-SBR-L, which became the basis for the demonstration "Reformation"
The main innovation of the project is hidden under the forend of a complex shape, equipped with standard strips for installing additional equipment. The "Non-Rifle" received a special barrel of 5.56 mm in length, only 11.5 inches (52.5 caliber), built on the patented NRS technology. It is the barrel, or rather the configuration of its channel, that allows the weapon to bypass the existing restrictions.
The barrel bore received rifling, but they are not located at an angle, but parallel to its axis. The shape and depth of the grooves are probably the same as those used on traditional weapons. Straight cuts create an interesting precedent. Their shape - even taking into account the type of ammunition used and the design of the weapon - does not allow the Reformation product to be considered a rifle. The very fact of the rifling precludes the classification of a "non-rifle" as a smoothbore shotgun. Naturally, it cannot be classified as a pistol either. Thus, the "Reformation" turns out to be a kind of average weapon that cannot be attributed to one of the classes provided for by law.
The NFA provides for barrel length restrictions for rifles and shotguns. The product "Reformation" does not belong to these classes, and therefore does not fall under its terms. Thus, a "non-rifle" can have a barrel of any length, including shorter than the permitted 16-18 inches. Allegedly, the authors of the new project have already received approval from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which controls the circulation of weapons. There were no complaints about the original sample.
The main feature of the Franklin Armory Reformation system, which is an advantage, also turns out to be a serious disadvantage. This weapon cannot normally use the standard intermediate ammunition 5, 56x45 mm NATO. Existing bullets of various types are designed for use in rifled weapons. In flight, they are stabilized by rotation, acquired using the rifling of the barrel. The parallel straight rifling of the NRS system, in turn, does not allow the bullet to spin up and provide acceptable accuracy of fire.
Pros of the project in three points
To address this problem, Franklin Armory has developed a new bullet capable of delivering the required performance with unusual barrel cuts. Instead of the traditional elongated bullet with a pointed nose, it is proposed to use a feathered product of similar dimensions. Slightly less than half of the new bullet is occupied by an elliptical head part, which serves as a fairing. Behind it is a plumage with several triangular planes of minimum elongation. Apparently, the individual elements of such a stabilizer are located at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bullet. In flight, they must create an aerodynamic force that twists the bullet.
Continuing to advance older designs, Franklin Armory used the Binary Fire trigger in the Reformation non-rifle demo. It is controlled by a standard trigger, but has a three-position fire safety switch. In the rear position, the flag blocks the trigger, the vertical position provides single firing. By moving the checkbox forward, you can turn on the Binary mode. In this case, when the trigger is pulled, the weapon fires a shot. Returning to the starting position, the released hook fires a second shot. With this trigger, the non-rifle can display some sort of automatic fire.
In accordance with existing laws and regulations, the use of a trigger mechanism such as Binary Fire does not make the weapon automatic, due to which it does not differ in its legal status from standard self-loading systems.
The demonstration sample of non-rifle "Reformation" received an adjustable non-folding buttstock Magpul MOE SL, built according to a telescopic scheme. On the upper receiver of the rifle there is a long Picatinny rail, on which a folding aperture sight was installed. The upper forend bar, mounted flush with it, was used to install the folding front sight base. The advertising materials feature photographs in which the planks are used to install various additional equipment.
Trigger BFS
The shaft of the lower receiver unit accommodates standard magazines for an intermediate cartridge 5, 56x45 mm NATO. The box magazine is secured in place with a two-way operated latch. The use of new original bullets did not lead to the need to create special means for feeding cartridges.
The simultaneous use of the BFS and NRS systems leads to very interesting results. The finished "non-rifle" type Reformation is characterized by small dimensions and short barrel length, and is also capable of simulating burst fire. With all this, it does not require special registration and payment of a substantial tax. It is obvious that such a weapon will be able to find its buyer in the American civilian market, which is traditionally loyal to various bold proposals. The development company, meanwhile, expects even a revolution in the market. She believes that new weapons with non-standard cutting will be able to form their own market sector.
It should be noted that the Franklin Armory Reformation project is not the first attempt to create a shortened version of a civilian rifle that does not contradict the laws. In the past, such tasks were solved by creating specific samples that were registered as pistols. Such a carbine received a barrel of the desired short length, and instead of a normal butt, it was equipped with a special device with a stop or belts that covered the shooter's forearm. The use of this stop as a full-fledged butt was not envisaged. At least officially.
Weapons with such equipment usually had a very specific appearance and ambiguous ergonomics. Nevertheless, due to the lack of alternatives, it enjoyed a certain popularity. Carbines, turned into pistols, found their customers and were actively used at shooting ranges.
The new project from Franklin Armory solves the same problems, but does it in a different way. Unlike their predecessors and competitors, the engineers of this company decided to rebuild not the weapon fittings, but the main components of the entire complex, namely the barrel and the bullet. The result was an inherently unusual "non-rifle" with a familiar appearance and normal ergonomics. It should be noted that such results in this area were obtained for the first time.
The obvious advantage of the "Reformation" is the ability to own a weapon of the desired appearance, which does not contradict the requirements of the laws. In addition, the advantage of the project is the use of an original trigger mechanism with the ability to fire two shots per trigger pull. The new "non-rifle" is based on the standard AR-15 platform. This actually makes the weapon modular and allows you to install certain parts from different manufacturers on it. Perhaps in the future, the Franklin Armory company will begin to produce NRS-threaded barrels suitable for installation on weapons from other manufacturers.
A clear disadvantage of the new development is the high cost of the finished weapon. Prices for rifles of the Franklin Armory Libertas series start at $ 1,800, and the installation of a "double" trigger increases their cost by another $ 410. There is no reason to believe that the off-the-shelf Reformation product will be cheaper. Replaceable barrels - if they appear - are also unlikely to be of low cost. Thus, the chances of a new project to form a new market are not very high, if only for financial reasons.
The second serious problem is the need to use a cartridge with a special bullet and the fundamental impossibility of effective use of serial products. Bullets of standard designs will not show the desired accuracy and accuracy. Whether the cartridge factories will be interested in the new feathered bullet and whether such ammunition will be produced in a larger batch is anyone's guess.
Demonstration of the original bullet for the "non-rifle" Reformation
The original sample of small arms called Reformation was first presented to the public just a couple of days ago. The unusual development immediately became the topic of much discussion and controversy. Meanwhile, while some gun lovers argue, others are pondering whether to get their wallet and replenish their arsenal with a new unusual "non-rifle". The development company is not yet ready to ship systems of a new type to shooters and wholesale buyers. However, the serial production of the non-rifle "Reformation" should begin shortly.
Faced with legislative restrictions, gunsmiths and shooters are forced to look for some original solutions. Until recently, most of these solutions were not particularly beautiful and original. The "non-rifle" Reformation from Franklin Armory compares favorably with its predecessors, although it is not without certain drawbacks. Whether this development will be able to justify the hopes of its creators is still anyone's guess. However, already in the foreseeable future it will be possible to see the first successes or failures of the "Reformation" on the market, as well as to understand the real potential of the main ideas of the project.
