This week, were checking out the Hammerli Arms Force B1, a hunting rimfire with a target-grade pedigree.
Chambered in .22 Long Rifle, the Force B1 is visibly designed for precision and speed. Its straight-pull bolt-action charges via the toggle-style mechanism popular in biathlon rifles, that can be actuated with lightning speed while ensuring a solid lockup. Operation is also whisper quiet, with only a slight click to let the shooter know the gun is in battery, meaning hunters can take full advantage of the benefits of suppression when taking down small game. Toward this end, the muzzle of the gun’s 16.1-inch is threaded to 1/2x28 TPI, for the easy attachment of a suppressor.
Moving back to the other end, the gun’s stock features tool-less adjustments for both length of pull and comb height. Combined with its vertical style grip, this ensures comfortable and quick optical alignment, while maintaining a natural position for the shooting hand. Optics can be easily mounted via an integrated machine rail, while the trigger group is compatible with 10/22-style triggers, allowing the shooter to easily customize the gun with a variety of aftermarket options.
While all these features sound pretty cool, none hold a candle to the gun’s flagship feature. While the gun comes with the aforementioned 16-inch barrel in .22 LR, it can be quickly and easily removed simply by pulling back on a locking collar—think of the sort of high-pressure collar used to attach an air tool. Once the barrel is removed, a barrel of a different length—or even one chambered in .22 WMR—can be swapped on. While these aftermarket barrels have not hit the shelves yet, the gun itself only debuted this year, and such accessories are on their way. This will provide a perfect solution for small-game hunters who prefer to practice and plink with .22 LR, but like to step it up when dropping actual game. Utilizing Ruger rotary style magazines and a Hammerli adapter system to take up the extra space left by the shorter, .22-LR magazines, this caliber change won’t be an issue for feeding either.
The gun ships with one 10-round, .22 LR magazine. For more information on this hunter-focused rimfire, which weighs in at 5.75 pounds, and retails for around $600, visit hammerliarms.com.
