(Photo: Battle Rifle Company)
Battle Rifle Company announced a new addition to its BR4 rifle line called the Cutlass, a free-floating version of the company’s Trident model.
Aside from the-free floating barrel, the Cutlass and Trident are nearly identical. Both are chambered in 5.56mm NATO and built on the existing BR4 platform.
The BR4’s are weighted at between 5.5 pound and 7.2 pounds with a 30 round magazine. Overall length varies from 24 inch to 35.5 inches with the Cutlass sporting a 16 inch barrel.
The Cutlass features an extended rail allowing users more room to install after-market accessories such as optics and lights. A low-profile gas block also gives shooters a longer sight radius, improving accuracy. Max effective range on this system is 460 meters with accuracy at 1/2 to 1 MOA.
The BR4 Trident and Cutlass are geared specifically towards maritime security personnel and shipboard usage. MARSEC operations are multifaceted these days with focuses split between preventing terrorism and combating piracy.
Though Somali piracy threats have decreased in the past year as a result of plunging oil prices, piracy is still a concern in the Gulf of Guinea. Militants continue to attack tankers off the coast of Nigeria, earning these waters the name “pirate alley.”
Piracy is less of a concern near U.S. waters, however the Coast Guard continues to monitor for potential terrorism threats. Last year the USCG reported over 8,000 security boardings in and around U.S. ports.
Maritime operations are notoriously hard on equipment. Exposure to seawater demands that rifles be constructed to withstand corrosive sea salt and water. Battle Rifle Company aims to prevent corrosion of metal by ensuring that no direct ferrous metal to metal contact is made throughout the rifle. Major components of the rifle are also treated with a hi-temp Cerakote to further prevent against ruin in this harsh environment.
The Houston-based Battle Rifle Company began manufacturing rifles in April 2010. According to its website, all rifles come with a 1 year warranty on all parts and components.
MSRP for the BR4 Cutlass is set for $1595.
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