POF BW-20
Pakistan Ordnance Factories · Battle Rifle · Prototype · 2021
Also known as: BW20, Battle Weapon 20
Overview
The POF BW-20 is a select-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, developed by Pakistan Ordnance Factories and publicly revealed in 2021. It revives the roller-delayed blowback locking system associated with the Heckler & Koch G3, which POF has long produced under license, but pairs it with a modern modular design using AR-10 pattern magazines, an inline buttstock, and a full-length rail. The designation 'BW-20' stands for 'Battle Weapon', designed in 2020, and the rifle is offered in 16-inch and 12-inch barrel lengths with planned 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm variants.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 935 mm (36.81") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 750 m/s (2461 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2671 J (1970 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Modular Rail System, Inline Buttstock, Ambidextrous Controls, Ar10 Pattern Magazines
Variants
- POF BW-20 Carbine (12-inch) - Short Barrel
- POF BW-20 (5.56x45mm) - Caliber Conversion
- POF BW-20 (7.62x39mm) - Caliber Conversion
Service history
Operators
- Pakistan Army
Production
Production years: 2020-present
Prototype/limited development as of public unveiling; not confirmed in mass production
Origin
Country of origin: Pakistan
Designer: Salman Ali
Notes
Reduced to roughly 125 parts, with POF stating around 30% of components are interchangeable with the G3 to lower production cost. Weight is about 3.9 kg with a polymer magazine and 4 kg with an aluminum magazine. Still in prototype/development stage as of its public unveiling.
Background
Bucking the trend of gas-operated designs, POF engineer Salman Ali deliberately revived the nearly abandoned roller-delayed blowback action for the BW-20, leaning on decades of Pakistani experience building the G3 so that about a third of its parts remain compatible with the older rifle.