Ohio Ordnance Works showed their Select Fire trigger pack which adds a semi-auto capability to the M-240 family of weapons. This includes the Brazilian M971, Canadian C6, British L7A1&2, Swedish & Latvian KSP 58B, and Taiwanese Type 74.
A semi-auto facilitates zero of the weapon’s optic. Additionally, it can be used to help conceal the position of the Machine Gun. Switching to full-auto is as simple as flipping a lever.
Ohio Ordnance is offering an exclusive pre-sale package for the HCAR – Heavy Counter Assault Rifle. Limited to 250 sets, this package includes an HCAR with:
– 16″ barrel
– Troy Industries front and rear flip-up sights
– Advanced Armament Muzzle-Brake
– Magpul CTR Buttstock
Additionally, the package also comes with a .30 caliber cleaning kit, owner’s manual, certificate of authenticity, four 30-round HCAR magazines, Kydex magazine holder with MOLLE mounting hardware, 100 rounds of .30-06 Greek HXP ammo, and HCAR Owner’s Membership Website access, all in a custom fit hard case with foam.
www.ohioordnanceworks.com/exclusive-pre-sale-package1
In addition to the HCAR, Ohio Ordnance Works also had their M240 Semi-Auto trigger Pack available at the Osprey Range Day. The M240 Select Fire is a direct replacement trigger pack for all MAG and M240 variants which allows the machinegunner to switch between semi and full-auto fire. This increases the versatility of the M240, by allowing the machinegunner to place more precise shots while not wearing down on the sear. Additionally, it becomes much easier to zero in the weapon when set to semi-automatic.
www.ohioordnanceworks.com/parts/m240-select-fire-1/m240-select-fire
Back in November, we introduced you to the Ohio Ordnance Works HCAR – Heavy Counter Assault Rifle. At the time, we believed that the weapon was called the Heavy Combat Assault Rifle, but this has since been corrected for us. Since November, OOW in conjunction with Osprey Armament has been hard at work making improvements to the design. Remember, the HCAR is based on the .30-06, M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle which weighed in at almost 20 lbs. This modern version has shaved the weight down to 12 lbs.
The Heavy Counter Assault Rifle manufactured by Ohio Ordnance Works is a modernized rifle based on the Browning Automatic Rifle. Chambered for .30-06, the HCAR allows the operator to consistently and effectively engage targets out to 900 meters, lending to its naming as a ‘Heavy Counter’ rifle. It utilizes proprietary 30-round magazines manufactured by OOW.
The updated model featured at the Osprey Range Day had a new, adjustable trigger system between 3.5 and 7 lbs. It also featured a new bolt hold open system. The button magazine release on the older model has been replaced with a lever release, similar to an AK or FAL. The HCAR also features an ambidextrous bolt close switch, located on either side of the magazine guide.
The HCAR that we fired in November retained the original WWI-era selector switch which in the modern age, is less than ideal. I was pleased to see that it now features a modern safety selector with a short 45 degree throw.
The 16″ barrel is “dimpled” with ovals to help reduce weight and improve cooling by offering additional surface area. This model also had an AAC flash suppressor and could accept the AAC suppressor. Like on the original BAR design, the HCAR has an adjustable gas port. You can also see the integrated Mil Std 1913 rails for sights and accessories.
The model featured at the Range Day did not feature the new folding charging handle, although it will be available when full-scale production starts.
It will be available later this year through Osprey Armament.
Seeing how today is Veterans Day which finds its foundation in Armistice Day that marked the end of WW I, it’s fitting to offer a story about a modern version of the 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle which first saw service in that war to end all wars. Designed almost a century ago by small arms genius John Moses Browning, it served from its inception in 1917 until the early 1970s in the US arsenal and elsewhere around the world for long after. I’d even go so far as to call the BAR the original SAW and its removal from service and subsequent capability gap led to the acquisition of the M249 SAW.
This modernized version of the BAR is known as the Heavy Combat Assault Rifle. Ohio Ordnance Works applied knowledge gained from almost 20 years of building semi-auto versions of the BAR to increase the firepower of the Infantry Squad. In fact, they’ve been working on this for a little while now. I gave the HCAR a brief mention during SHOT Show 2013.
I was fortunate enough to get a chance to fire the HCAR during the Osprey Global Solutions Range Demo Day. Headed by Retired Army Lieutenant General David Grange, Osprey has opened a new facility boasting a 1500m range near Elizabethtown, North Carolina, right down route 87 from Fort Bragg.
This new variant is still chambered in .30-06 but they are considering other calibers; 7.62 is a natural fit but a few others were mentioned as well. As this is still a developmental platform, almost anything in that class of round is possible, so long as it makes sense. Even with the .30-06 you can see that recoil is quite manageable. I found it similar to a 5.56 rifle. They tell me it’s due to their new buffer. The furniture is all designed and manufactured in house from Selective Laser Sintered (SLA) 3D printed materials. OOW has also integrated Mil Std 1913 rails for sights and accessories.
The 16″ barrel is “dimpled” with ovals to help reduce weight and improve cooling by offering additional surface area. Additionally, both prototypes were equipped with AAC flash suppressors and readily accepted the AAC suppressor. In order to make the suppressor more user friendly it was fitted with a Manta suppressor cover. Like on the original BAR design, the HCAR has an adjustable gas port. I fired both guns and observed no issues with either as over 40 different shooters firing several hundred rounds over the course of the afternoon.
You may notice the 30 round magazine. OOW offers a 30 round BAR mag and the ones we used during the demo performed flawlessly. Granted, it was a range day, and we didn’t put them through combat conditions but I saw 5 magazines used between the two HCARs with no misfeeds. You should also take note of the magazine guide to assist with seating a magazine in the weapon.
The HCAR integrates accepts Mil Spec collapsible stocks as seen here.
OOW has developed a new folding charging handle that will be included with future prototypes.
One thing I am not enamored with on this build is the selector switch. It’s classic WW I design. Twist the switch forward, toward the enemy and you are on fire, twist it to the rear, toward friendlies and it’s safe. It’s just not easy to manipulate. OOW told me that they have developed a newer switch that is a little more ergonomic but you’ll still have to remove your hand from the weapon to use it. Let’s face it, we are pretty spoiled with more modern designs.
Sure, it’s still heavy at 12 lbs but considering they’ve shaved almost 8 lbs from the model it’s based on and it handles .30-06 like a champ, I’m not complaining. Also, I can live with the selector lever. All-in-all, I’m more than happy with what I’ve seen so far and look forward to the HCAR to be offered for sale.
I know what’s on everyone’s mind. How much does it cost and when can I buy one? Considering their 1918A3 SLRs run $4300, I’d say that the HCAR will be somewhere in that ballpark. As for when? That remains to be seen. OOW continues to refine the design. Hopefully, we will see more from Ohio Ordnance Works at SHOT Show 2014.
