[GunFest 2021] Haenel Bundeswehr Trials Rifle Imported as B&T 15-in. Pistol Form

Yes, it’s true: B&T will be importing the Haenel CR-223 as the B&T-15. The CR-223 is a semi-automatic gas-operated 5.56×45mm NATO carbine designed by C.G. Haenel in Germany. It’s basically the semi-auto version of the MK556. The CR-223/MK-556 has been in use by law enforcement agencies and German military units since 2017. Now, B&T will be importing this fine piece of German military technology for the American public.

For readers that are familiar with the German Army rifle trials, and the Haenel piston operated rifle submission, a pistol version of that rifle is being imported by B&T. Haenel’s pistol version, dubbed the B&T 15 for the importation, should be available by mid-2021. The B&T 15 will feature 100 percent German-made parts and will have quite a few features over a standard AR-15 patterned rifle or pistol.

The barrel length of the B&T 15 pistol has not been fully determined but will have a tapered profile, topped with a short-stroke piston. Haenel developed a quick detach railed handguard, of which it should be noted that the final product will have M-LOK compatible slots, rather than the KeyMod version shown in the photos. The B&T 15 pistol will also feature ambidextrous controls, including the magazine release. The internals of Haenel’s design included a chromed bolt carrier group and a removable cam track system in the upper receiver, both of which should ease in cleaning the pistol. The magazine well is beveled and flared to aid in quicker reloads. Styled in European fashion, the safety selector can also be engaged after the hammer has been dropped.

B&T 15 / HAENEL CR223 FEATURES RECAP

• -100% German Made
• -Short Stroke Piston
• -Tapered Barrel Profile
• -QD Railed, M-LOK Handguard
• -Ambidextrous Controls
• -Chromed Bolt Carrier Group
• -Removable BCG Cam Track
• -Flared and Beveled Mag Well

This feature-rich collaboration between Haenel and B&T will have an MSRP of $3,000. As some of you have surely noticed, the receiver is marked for .223 Remington, but B&T have clarified that 5.56 NATO can also be chambered. Feel free to follow the news surrounding Haenel’s rifle design on TFB. You can visit B&T’s website for more of their products, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. The photos above were made possible by TFB TV’s James Reeves traveling to B&T as an extension of TFB’s GunFest 2021, and we’ll be sure to bring you more information about the B&T 15 pistol as it becomes more available.

Let’s hear your thoughts on the coming B&T 15 pistol from Haenel!

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