Photos of a possible Glock M4-like carbine have set the interwebs abuzz this week. The photos were leaked by an unnamed someone associated with the British Army’s Alternate Individual Weapon System (AIWS) trials. Yesterday, Glock officially confirmed the carbine’s existence to Ammoland News.
Glock Communications Manager Ainsley Cash Connor told Ammoland that,
“Glock is always in development of future products and technologies through the pursuit of perfection. The image shared is of a product developed for select solicitations and it is not available for the general market at this time.”
As we reported earlier this week, the British Army’s new Special Operations Brigade is testing weapons to replace the old and less-than-ideal Enfield SAR-80/L-85 bullpup rifle. Some British special ops units are known to use M4 platforms and the new weapon’s specifications required an Armalite-style rifle. Formally called the Alternate Individual Weapon System, the new carbines will equip the four Ranger Battalions that make up the Special Operations Brigade.
Glock Carbine Known Specs and Features
Glock’s entry is designated the GR-115F. Here’s what we know about its specifications and features:
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO, as specified by the British Army
- Barrel Length: 14.5 inches
- Direct impingement gas system
- Suppressor ready. The photos show an OSS suppressor and a flash hider.
- Proprietary Glock M-Lok compatible quick detach handguard
- Select fire
- Ambidextrous fire selector, mag catch, and bolt catch
- Standard buffer tube
- Magpul CTR stock and pistol grip
- Oversized trigger guard
- Unidentified variable optic. British Army specifications required a 4x magnification.
- Unidentified battle sight and Magpul flip-up sights to meet the specified CQB requirement.
Rumors Confirmed
This rifle’s existence has been rumored since Glock patents became public last year. We reported on that, and you can view the patents here. Which of those patents are included in the RF-115F is not known for certain, though we can make educated guesses. For instance, the apparently quick detach capable handguard indicates the new rifle includes Glock’s adjustable gas system, which was one of the patents.
Other Glock patented features appear to include the upper and lower receivers’ geometry, bolt catch, magazine catch, charging handle, and barrel-rail interface.
Glock Carbine Coming Soon?
Well, that’s a definite “maybe.” The company’s statement said that “The image shared is of a product developed for select solicitations and it is not available for the general market at this time.”
So, let’s break that down a little because that’s what we do. Glock says the image is of “a product developed for select solicitations.” All that means is that we are looking at a firearm made specifically for a military trial. It’s not for public sale. But that could simply mean Glock isn’t dropping a select fire option on the market.
Or it could mean Glock won’t include that optic, which is certainly tailored for the current trials. Glock simply said that “the image shared” is of a product not available. That does not mean they don’t plan to release a semi-auto civilian version down the road. Even if they hadn’t planned to do that, the excitement generated by these photos would surely set off the lightbulb in someone’s head.
Given Glock’s reputation, and the sheer number of dedicated Glock fanbois, that seems like a no-brainer. I guess we will see. But, for now, we know this prototype exists. It would be difficult to believe Glock dedicated all that work to not capitalize on it commercially.
