B&T APC223
B&T AG (Brügger & Thomet) · Carbine · In Production · 2014
Also known as: APC556, APC223, Advanced Police Carbine 5.56, APC223 PRO
Overview
The B&T APC223 is the 5.56x45mm NATO / .223 Remington variant of B&T's Advanced Police Carbine family - the commercial designation for what is sold to military and law-enforcement customers as the APC556. It uses a short-stroke gas piston with an adjustable gas valve optimized for suppressor use, accepts STANAG (AR-15 pattern) magazines, and incorporates the APC family's signature hydraulic buffer system to reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise. Three principal barrel configurations are produced: a 10.3-inch (262 mm) PDW, a 12.5-inch (318 mm) Carbine, and a 16.5-inch (419 mm) Sport rifle. All controls are fully ambidextrous, including folding non-reciprocating charging handles on both sides of the receiver.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3320 g (117.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 864 mm (34.02") |
| Folded Length | 600 mm (23.62") |
| Barrel Length | 318 mm (12.52") |
| Height | 235 mm (9.25") |
| Width | 67 mm (2.64") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 880 m/s (2887 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1670 J (1232 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Hard Coat Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, SS109, M855
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stanag Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Manual Safety, Trigger Safety
- Features: Fully Ambidextrous Controls, Folding Telescoping Stock, Adjustable Gas Valve, Non Reciprocating Charging Handle, Folding Charging Handle, Hydraulic Buffer System, Full Length Picatinny Rail, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Suppressor Ready
Variants
- B&T APC223 PDW — Personal Defense Weapon
- B&T APC223 Carbine — Carbine
- B&T APC223 Sport — Sporting
Service history
Operators
- Various European law enforcement
Production
Production years: 2014-present
Production numbers not publicly disclosed; APC556/APC223 family in service with multiple European LE units
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Karl Brügger and Heinrich Thomet (B&T design team)
Notes
The APC223 is the civilian-market and commercial-ambivalent name; the same rifle in select-fire form is sold as the APC556 to elite police and military units. The platform shares 80%+ parts commonality and identical ergonomics with the APC9 submachine gun and APC308 battle rifle.
Background
The APC's adjustable gas valve was added specifically to keep the rifle running cleanly when shot suppressed all day - a design priority that came directly from feedback from Swiss and German police hostage-rescue teams who were running B&T 9mm SMGs.