WDS 2022: BW20 Family of Weapons from Pakistan
At the World Defense Show 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) presented the BW20 family of weapons for the first time. In December last year, the first video of the BW20 rifle was published on Youtube. While the original video only featured a standard battle rifle with a 16-inch barrel, at the expo in Riyadh, POF showcased two other rifles, a carbine with a 12-inch barrel and a designated marksman rifle with a 20-inch barrel. All three rifles are chambered for 7.62×51 and use polymer AR-10 magazines.
WDS 2022 Coverage @ TFB:The carbine version of BW20 is called “Assaulter”. While many would be skeptical about a short-barreled 308, it can still be quite effective up to 400 meters. Also, the Pakistani Army has a concept of a “CQB weapon”, a shorter and lighter service rifle used by LE and some support units. At the moment, this role is fulfilled by Type 56 – Chinese AK rifles.
In this prototype, the slot for the charging is on top of the handguard, unlike standard G3, where the charging handle is on the left side. However, according to a POF representative, the production version will have a traditional charging handle position. Other features are identical to the rest of the members of the BW20 family: adjustable stock with a massive cheek riser, AR-10 style safety, and magazine release.
As I mentioned in the previous post, the main feature of this rifle is the fact that you can manufacture it on machines and equipment meant for G3 rifle production. Many countries still have that equipment, but don’t want to produce G3 anymore, so production of BW20 can potentially revive those old factories.
The DMR version of the rifle has a 20-inch barrel.
At the moment, the exact accuracy potential of this rifle isn’t specified, but the accuracy results of BW20 with a 16-inch barrel indicate that the rifle is capable of consistent 2 MOA groups at 400 meters.
Considering the fact that Pakistan planned to replace the G3 rifle since 2015, there is a chance BW20 will become the new Pakistani service rifle in the near future, unless the military decides to choose one of the firearms they previously tested: SCAR-H or ARX-200.
Vladimir Onokoy is a small arms subject matter expert and author of "From Balkans to Babylon: Zastava AKs of Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Iraq", the first English-language book about the history of M70 and Tabuk AKs. Over the years he worked in over 20 different countries as a security contractor, armorer, field analyst, product manager, and consultant. His articles were published in Recoil magazine, Small Arms Review, Small Arms Defense Journal, Overt Defense and Silah Report. He also worked as the historical consultant for movies and weapon history books, namely "Vickers Guide: Kalashnikov" series, and Ian McColum's "Small Arms of WW2: Soviet Union". You can contact him here vonokoybooks@proton.me
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Mom can we get a G3?
Mom: We have a G3 at home
The G3 At home:
A Pakistani made semi-automatic flashbang dispenser!
...I totally want one.