Kbk wz. 1996 Mini-Beryl

The '''karabinek wz. 1996 Mini-Beryl''' is a Polish 5.56 mm compact assault rifle (carbine) derived from the kbs wz. 1996 Beryl service rifle. It was developed in parallel with the wz. 1996 Beryl by the "Łucznik" Arms Factory in Radom and introduced into service with the Polish Armed Forces in 1997 as the ''5,56 mm karabinek krotki wz. 1996'' ("short carbine model 1996").

Design details
The Mini-Beryl’s design combines features from both the wz. 1989 Onyks carbine and the wz. 1996 Beryl rifle; the principal components that were modified include the barrel, barrel trunnion, upper and lower handguards, muzzle device and magazine. The weapon’s method of operation, the rotary bolt locking mechanism and ammunition are identical to those of the wz. 1996 Beryl standard rifle.

The 235 mm barrel has 6 right-hand grooves and a rifling twist rate of 1 in 228 mm (1:9 in) capable of firing both SS109 and M193 types of 5.56 mm ammunition with optimum performance from both. The barrel’s profile is nearly identical to the barrel of the wz. 89 Onyks carbine, it is however slightly longer to accommodate the modified gas block.

The muzzle device, externally similar to the muzzle attachment of the wz. 89 Onyks in appearance, has deeper-seated threading used to screw the flash suppressor into the gas block (it has a lower volume decompression compartment). The compensator has two symmetrical ports at the muzzle end of the device placed at a 90° angle in relation to each other. The muzzle attachment can also be used to fire rifle grenades to ranges up to 150 meters.

The magazine developed for the Mini-Beryl is shorter compared to the standard magazine of the Beryl and has a smaller capacity (20 rounds). Standard magazines from the Beryl can also be used. New magazines are molded from a translucent polymer allowing the shooter to visually monitor the level of ammunition.

The base of the rear sight – unlike in the Onyks – has cut-outs on its top surface running alongside it and used to mount a variety of optical sights or a Picatinny-type rail adapter. A variant of the Mini-Beryl is also offered with a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail instead of the standard rear sight; a simple auxiliary rear sight is built into the rail. The standard rear sight and front post are provided with luminescent dots to assist aiming in poor light conditions.

The weapon’s gas block is longer than that of the Onyks and it features internal threading that is used to secure the muzzle device in place.

The Mini-Beryl has a twin-strut stock folding to the right-hand side of the receiver; the butt-plate is rubber. All furniture is high-impact black plastic. The handguards were developed specifically for the carbine.

The carbine’s bolt carrier and piston rod, gas cylinder, upper handguard and sighting system are identical to those used in the wz. 1989 Onyks, similarly, the receiver housing, dust cover trigger group and high-capacity magazine are the same as those in the wz. 1996 Beryl.

Standard equipment supplied with carbine includes three spare magazines (including one 20-round short magazine), four 15-round stripper clips, a stripper clip magazine guide, maintenance kit, cleaning rod (carried in the accessory pouch), sling, magazine and accessory pouch and oil bottle. The carbine can also be fitted with two side rails secured to the lower handguard (used to attach tactical accessories and illumination devices), a vertical forward grip and a blank-firing muzzle attachment.