B&T APC556
B&T AG (Brügger & Thomet) · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2011
Also known as: B&T APC-556, Advanced Police Carbine 556
Overview
The B&T APC556 is a Swiss selective-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, built around the Advanced Police Carbine (APC) platform developed by B&T AG (Brügger & Thomet). It uses a short-stroke gas piston system with a multi-lug rotary bolt and an integral hydraulic buffer to soften recoil, paired with fully ambidextrous controls and a folding, length-adjustable stock. The upper receiver is aluminum alloy while the lower is polymer, and the rifle feeds from STANAG-pattern 30-round magazines. Designed primarily for law enforcement and special-operations use, it offers a quick-change barrel and a dedicated interface for B&T ROTEX sound suppressors.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3570 g (125.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 841 mm (33.11") |
| Folded Length | 612 mm (24.09") |
| Barrel Length | 310 mm (12.20") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 880 m/s (2887 fps) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotary Bolt, Hydraulic Buffer, Ambidextrous Controls, Folding Telescopic Stock, Monolithic Picatinny Rail, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Quick Change Barrel, Integral Suppressor Interface
Variants
- B&T APC556 PDW — Short Barrel
- B&T APC223 — Semi Automatic Civilian
Service history
Operators
- Swiss law enforcement agencies
Production
Production years: 2011-present
Adopted in limited numbers by police and special-operations units; exact production figures not publicly disclosed
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: B&T AG
Notes
The APC556 is the 5.56mm member of B&T's APC carbine family, which also includes the 9mm APC9 and the .300 BLK / 7.62mm variants. The semi-automatic civilian version is marketed as the APC223.
Background
B&T (originally Brügger & Thomet) made its name building suppressors and accessories before moving into complete weapon systems; the APC line, badged 'Advanced Police Carbine', reflects the company's law-enforcement focus, and the APC556 shares its modular receiver architecture with the 9mm APC9 family.