Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Hammerli’s Force B1 is a new rifle with two very cool features and a bunch of others that you’ll wish all rifles had. Plus, the price tag for this feature-rich European-built rifle will surprise you.
Straight-pull Action
The standout feature on this rifle is its straight-pull action. To work it, you just use a finger tip to pull it back and then push it forward again. Of course, you could use two fingers, but it’s really not necessary.
It’s a cool experience to fire a shot, then, while keeping your eye in the scope, reach up with your trigger finger and work the action, then fire again.
The straight-pull action is smooth and intuitive — it’s easy to tell when you haven’t pushed it all the way closed, and there’s a red dot on top as a visual indicator that it’s not closed.
Historically, straight-pull actions are classics for biathlon rifles, so it was fun to shoot this gun at the SHOT range day.
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Change Calibers Anytime
The other huge feature on Hammerli’s Force B1 is the changeable barrel. There’s a collet that works a lot like air tools on a compressor. Just press the collet and pull out the barrel.
Currently, you can swap between .22 LR and .22 WMR — aka .22 Magnum. Other calibers will follow. The barrel has a long section of overlap inside the barrel and it locks up tightly without any wiggle. Not surprisingly, it appears to be reliable and repeatable, and the barrels are threaded 1/2″x28.
However, barrels aren’t the only thing different between .22 LR and .22 Mag. The longer case of the .22 mag requires a much larger magazine.
Ruger Rotary Mags
Hammerli’s Force B1 isn’t just compatible with Ruger 10/22 magazines: It ships with genuine Ruger-made mags. The magazine well is sized for .22 WMR magazines — I have these for a Ruger American in .22 WMR.
Remarkably, Hammerli has crafted an adapter for the .22 LR mags that makes it fit in the larger mag well. They even have one for Ruger’s BX-25 magazines that hold 25 rounds of .22 LR.
One magazine with an adapter is included, plus two more adapters for 10-round mags, and an adapter for the BX-25 mag.
Ruger-Compatible Trigger
This trigger is pretty good and includes a trigger safety, so it is totally drop-safe. But it is also compatible with after market triggers made for the 10/22, of which there are a legion.
Naturally, the safety button can be postioned on the left or the right without tools. Meanwhile, the magazine release lever in from of the trigger guard is rigid and has ledges on both sides for ambidextrous function.
Configurable Stock
The rest of the gun is also exceptionally full-featured. Like other modern guns, there’s an M-lok series on the foreend at 6:00, and those panels at 3:00 and 9:00 can be removed to add M-lok slots there, too.
The length of pull is adjustable — without tools — from 14″ to 16.5″, which is a lot. Additionally, the comb is a comfortable rubber pad that can pulled off and flipped over to change the height. Also, there are QD sling attachments in the stock.
Precision Machined
The action includes a Picatinny rail machined into the top. Also, the whole thing is a sinlge piece of aluminum, and appears to be well made. Moreover, Hammerli is an Umarex brand and this rifle is made in Europe.
Hammerli’s Force B1 with a straight-pull action and changeable barrels is available now. It’s comparable to other custom .22s, but the MSRP is just $649.
And for your viewing pleasure, the Force B1’s distopian world launch video:
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Finish: Black
- Barrel Length: 16.1″
- Overall Length: 35.5″ – 37.4″
- Capacity: 10 Rounds
- Weight: 5.75 lb.