STORY: ZMT SKW .308 FIREARMS MICHAŁ SITARSKI
ZMT SKW .338 PHOTO: MICHAŁ SITARSKI, ZM TARNÓW
DURING MSPO 2018, POLISH COMPANY ZM TARNÓW PRESENTED FOUR PROTOTYPES OF BRAND NEW SEMI-AUTOMATIC DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLES CHAMBERED IN .308 WIN AND .338 LAPUA MAGNUM. THANKS TO THE COMPANY, WE HAD A PLEASURE TO VISIT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT, SHOOT THE RIFLES AND MEET THE ENGINEERS BEHIND THEM.
20 www.fragoutmag.com www.fragoutmag.com 21 The history of SKW rifles (Samopowtrzalny FIREARMS Karabin Wyborowy, the Semi-automatic Sniper Rifle or Semi-Automatic Designated Marksman Rifle) starts somewhere around 2010-2011, when the OBR SM company (in 2012 merged with ZM Tarnów) launched a development program for bull-pup .338 Lapua Magnum semi-automatic sniper rifle. The functional model of weapon was displayed during the MSPO 2012 (see the photos). It was kind of big news then, mostly because its futuristic design and color, like First Order stormtroopers guns. The idea of bull-pup and semi-automatic snip- er rifle in this caliber was raising discussions. It should be noted, that bull-pup design was distinctive for the ZM Tarnów (or ZMT in short) sniper rifles of that time, such as Tor and Bor sniper rifles adopted by Polish Armed Forces. The bull-pup rifle didn’t last for long as it wasn’t displayed ever again. The company decided to launch new program, now in more classic de- sign, based on AR-10 layout.
Engineers responsible for “new” .338 SKW are Roman Uznanski and Rafal Szela. The ri- fle is the own project of the company, butin meantime the Polish Army launch the analyt- ical program to find replacement for old and worn-out Dragunov SVD rifles chambered in an- tique 7.62x54R caliber. The decision to devel- op scaled-down SKW in 7.62x51 NATO caliber (.308 Win) was made. The .308 variant quickly became priority one. It appeared that new rifle can be easily scaled down and then converted to other calibers, leaving open possibilities for future different caliber versions. The outcome of the works were the rifles unveiled during the MSPO 2018. The ZMT announced that in 2019 they will reach the final phase.
Currently, the scheduled end of in-factory trials of .308 SKW is end of March 2019. Trials include testing of:
Finally, assembly of prototype batch and documents Performance of barrel, bolt and barrel attachment during live fire Basic characteristics of the weapon Performance and durability in different environmental conditions Resistance to weather, wearing and use Resistance to fuels, oils and cleaning agents Ergonomics Durability and lifespan Safety Unification of parts and inter-compatibility.
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After test completed, the manufacturing of pre-production batch will be launched. This batch is expected to be made and tested in June-July 2019. ZMT will be able to launch full-scale production af- terwards. What is important for sport shooters, the new rifle will be available for commercial sales im- mediately. This is a semi-automatic only rifle, so no changes will be required.
DESIGN SKW is air-cooled, gas operated short-stroke piston rifle. The bolt has eight lugs. The ejection port is on the right and it cannot be moved to left side. The ejec- tion port has no dust cover as the bolt carrier in for- ward position almost completely covers the port. The bolt locks back after last round. Both SKW .308 and SKW .338 are semi-automatic rifles, but ZMT will offer .338 variant in select-fire as an option.
The 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum upper receiver features full-length monolithic MIL-STD-1913 rail. SKW .308 has 560 mm long rail and SKW .338 comes with 740 mm rail. This allows to mount high-pow- ered scopes, night vision and thermal clip-ons and other accessories. The scope mount should have 20-30 MOA cant. The non-adjustable cant mounts are recommended.
The vented aluminum handguard features M-LOK attachment systems slots on sides and bottom. Oth- er attachment systems such as KeyMod might be an option if required. Handguard has also a series of holes in bottom part to shave off the weight and im- prove the ventilation. Their shape follows the shape of ZMT logo.
24 www.fragoutmag.com www.fragoutmag.com 25 SKW has free-floated fluted barrels available in 16” (406 mm), instead of 16” barrel is also being considered, but this decision 20” (508 mm) for .308 and 26” (660 mm) for .338LM. The stan- will be made after complete testing. dard twist is 1:10, but the .308 might be also delivered with 1:11 or 1:12 barrel twist. SKW .308 can be converted to 6.5 Creed- SKW has 3-postion gas regulator: normal, suppressed, shut FIREARMS moor round by changing the barrel to the one with 1:8 twist. Bar- off. The fourth position, for shooting in extreme conditions, is rels are fluted for better rigidity and improved thermal mitigation. being considered. Gas regulator has safety pin, which must be Caliber change in SKW .308 will require barrel change and the pushed down before switching the position. It can be adjusted SKW .338 will require conversion kit (to be developed). All bar- with naked hand, with Allen key or even with casing. During the rels are M18x1 threaded (as in SAKO TRG rifles) but can come barrel assembly, the gas regulator will lock by default in normal with M18x1.5 thread (Accuracy International) or with custom position. The gas piston and cocking rod are easy to take off. one if required. Muzzle end has funneled muzzle break and flash Gas piston is two-part for easier cleaning. hider device (in future also a compensator) compatible with Ro- tex IIA QD suppressors. Threaded suppressors might be directly Charging handle is installed just below the top accessory attached to the barrel thread. rail. It might be fixed, folded to the side, one-sided or ambidex- trous. Rifle might be customized by the used. Charging handle Barrel can be quickly removed and replaced. The barrel is non-reciprocating and stays in the forward position during nut is adjusted with proper wrench. The barrel nut has also shooting. Bolt carrier group has firing pin spring to absorb the anti-rotation pin. Barrel extension has six screws. The 16.5” rifle impact and firing pin safety block.
SKW rifles feature the 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum lower The magazine well is flared for faster reloads. SKW .308 is receiver shaped after AR-10 ergonomics. All switches and le- compatible with .308 SR-25/M110 style 10 or 20 rds maga- vers (magazine release button, bolt release lever, safety switch) zines such as: are doubled, making the SKW fully ambidextrous. The bolt re- lease lever on the left is extended downwards to set the bolt Magpul PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 in the back position). Safety switch selector is enlarged Hera IMI G2 7,62x51 Arms switch, which can be easily replaced. It should be not- Lancer L7AWM ed, that the lower receiver does not have “fire” marking, but Steel magazines (CPD) only features area where the rifle is “hot”. The reason for that is Aluminum magazines (tested, but not recommended) compatibility with different safety selector with 45 deg, 60 deg and 90 deg throw. The pistol grip and trigger guard can be also For SKW .338, the custom magazine based on AR-15 one replaced. was developed. It has steel body and 10 round capacity. The main difference is the opening for bolt catch. The avail- SKW rifles comes with Geissele Automatic Super able magazine does not have this feature because they were Semi-Automatic (SSA) two-stage match triggers with 4.5 lbs developed for bolt-rifles. trigger pull. Other trigger kits can be installed.
26 www.fragoutmag.com www.fragoutmag.com 27 TECH SPECS: (PRS STOCK, FOLDABLE STOCK SYSTEM, EMPTY MAGAZINE)
Model SKW .308 SKW 6,5 CR SKW .338
Caliber 308 Winchester 6,5 Creedmoor .338 Lapua Mag
Range (m) 900 1100 1500
995/738 (16”) 995/738 (16”) 1300/1045 Length (mm) 1100/843 (20”) 1100/843 (20”) (26”)
406/16 406/16 660/26 Barrel length (mm) 508/20 508/20
5,6 (16”) 5,6 (16”) 7,7 Weight (kg) 5,8 (20”) 5,8 (20”)
Magazine capacity (rnds) 10/20 10/20 10
SKW family has AR-15 type stock assembly system, even SKW Accessories: it lacks the buffer tube. This allows attachment of multi- ple stocks, both fixed and foldable, within AR-15 standard. Rubber rail covers A precision shooting stocks with rail attachment for mo- Dummy dry fire rounds nopod can be also used. The SKW rifles to this moment Pack with drag bag or drag bag were assembled with following stocks: Magpul PRS Gen 3, Transport case CTR, UBR and Luthar MBA-3. Currently, ZMT is discussing Suppressor cover development of dedicated SKW stock with some of the Bean bags manufacturers. Sling Scope Cover The stock assembly system has two versions: fixed Cleaning kit and folded with hinge. This will allow to use all, even fixed Spare parts cover stocks, as right-side folders. Left-side folding version will be offered as an option. Fixed attachments shave off 100 grams of weight. The sling attachment points are lo- cated on the back of stock assembly (single QD attach- ment point on the bottom and two hook attachment points DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURE on the sides), on the stock (depending on the model) and M-LOK/KeyMod mounted sling attachment points on the Remove stock assembly pin from lower receiver to handguard. clean or adjusted the trigger and/or remove some of possible malfunctions. Rifles feature couple of adjustment points to minimize Remove stock assembly pin from upper receiver to wobbling of stock and handguard and to adjust trigger trav- remove stock assembly, bolt carrier group, charging el with Allen key. The main parts of the rifle are connected handle for cleaning. with four takedown pins which remain in the upper and low- Remove pin connecting upper and lower receiver to er receiver and handguard during the field stripping. Pins disconnect lower receiver might be pushed (or removed) even with casing. Remove pin connecting upper receiver to a handguard to remove handguard and access barrel nut. SKW receivers are hard-anodized in Black. They can be Remove gas regulator and piston for cleaning, mainte- Cerakoted to Flat Dark Earth, Olive Green, Grey, Black or nance or replacement. RAL 8000 or other Cerakote color. Black rifle can be paint- ed or anodized. All steel parts are nitride or phosphate for improved non-corrosion than oxidation.
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