New Review of Hammerli's Innovative Straight-Pull .22 LR Rifle

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When Americans walk into a gun store in search of a rimfire rifle, most clerks will ask, “Semi or bolt?” Of course, this question snubs the bevy of hinge, lever, and pump actions that occupy the shooting landscape. Although these firearm styles get the stepchild treatment, nothing takes a back seat like the lowly straight-pull bolt action. I’ve never understood this, as it elegantly bridges the gap between manually operated actions and semiautomatics. Hammerli’s new Force B1 straight-pull rimfire rifle is a great example that is well worthy of your attention.

I’m comfortable saying that a straight-pull rimfire rifle gives you a taste of the speed that the autoloader produces, with the reduced maintenance associated with a bolt action. At the same time, it requires fewer parts to build than a lever gun while offering the camming mechanism that a pump gun leaves out. When we add it all up, there are only two reasons straight pulls have never caught on: price and availability.

As trends set trends, most stateside manufacturers keep to their bread and butter, as they know they can sell all the hinge, lever, pump, and semiautomatic firearms with ease. This naturally reduces the supply of straight pulls, thus increasing their price and general value. What it takes to change this is a little interference, preferably run by an American company that understands what it takes to make these firearms sing. This came in the form of the Hammerli Force B1, a rifle perfected by the Swiss, crafted in Germany, and imported by Umarex USA in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In doing so, Umarex has not only cornered the American market but markets the world over, with the new rifle being introduced globally.

Operation

The most logical place to start is with the action itself, as it largely defines the firearm. Straight pulls come in a few flavors, and this one is known as a “biathlon style” for its prowess in the Olympic sport, which combines cross-country skiing and rimfire target shooting. Therefore, the Force B1 features a side-mounted handle that connects a toggle to the bolt. This mechanism converts a straight motion into an arched one, multiplying the force the user imparts on it. This drastically increases the throw speed while providing more torque to rip a fired case from the chamber. It also smooths out the overall operation as the load is shifted from man to machine.

Retracting the bolt to the rear cocks the internal hammer, limiting the forward force to the sole task of stripping a round from the detachable magazine. Toward the final portion of the stroke, the bolt locks into battery, and the red cocking indicator will go out of sight. A word of caution: The B1 can indeed fire out of battery, although it takes a perfect scenario, as if the bolt is out far enough, the firing pin won’t reach the case head. I tested this using blank ammunition, as the reduced pressure permitted me to do so in safer conditions.

Hammerli added the red indicator to the bolt toggle to ensure shooters know when they aren’t fully locked in place. There is also an extraordinarily positive sound and feel as the locking mechanism fully engages. This can be heard through earmuffs and even felt through thick gloves, so the more you look at it, the more of a nonissue it becomes. While I don’t recommend confirming this for yourself, an out-of-battery discharge with a rimfire isn’t particularly exciting. I’ve had other guns that fire in this condition, and when it happens, typically, the case ruptures, vents a bunch of smoke back to the user, and results in a bullet landing mere feet from the barrel. It’s unpleasant but not overly dangerous. Of course, one should ensure the firearm isn’t damaged and that the bore isn’t obstructed before resuming the shooting session should this ever occur.

Moving past the action, we find that the Force B1 is a switch-barrel configuration with .22 WMR being the secondary option at the time of this writing. Don’t worry, the manufacturer is already hinting at a .17 HMR offering, so just keep to their website for those details as they emerge. We find some heavy Umarex influence in this system, as it mimics the quick connects that are common on their high-end air rifles and compressors. By pulling the knurled locking collar rearward, a circumference of spring-loaded ball bearings is allowed to move freely. As you tug on the barrel, they move outward, as the inner portion of each ball backs away from the groove cut into the barrel’s shank. To install the new barrel, simply orient it with the U-notch at the 12 o’clock position, press it back into place, and slide the locking collar forward.

The Force B1 currently ships with a 16.1-inch, medium-­contour barrel that is cut with a 1:16.5 twist. This is a little slower than more conventional 1:16 rifling but shouldn’t be noticeable through any realistic use. The barrel comes threaded in 1/2-28 tpi for the effortless addition of a suppressor, which will be substantially more effective on this platform than a semiautomatic rifle. This is aptly timed, as the wait for such items has recently been slashed down to days or even hours. Of course, in other countries, they’re treated just like any other muzzle device, but don’t let me get started.

In reading that Hammerli’s new rifle can fire multiple cartridges, you’re likely asking yourself, “Well, what about magazines?” Good question, with an even better answer. I didn’t open with this, as I felt it would shortchange the engineering that went into the B1, but it’s fair to call it a straight-pull variant of the Ruger 10/22. The B1 is built to accept 10/22 magazines and is built with a magwell long enough to accommodate the magnum version of this iconic rotary feeding system. To permit the gun to hold a standard-length magazine, Hammerli created an extension plate that snaps in place to fill the gap and ships every rifle with three to allow the end-user to carry ready-to-go spares. Additionally, most, if not all, aftermarket 10/22 magazines will work with the Force B1 as well.

A cursory glance at the controls of the B1 will easily back up my statement, comparing it to a Ruger 10/22. Starting with the trigger pack, this carries the identical footprint of the Ruger classic, which means you can swap it out with an aftermarket unit if you wish. As the pull weight was upwards of 5.0 pounds on my test sample, I find this to be a viable option. Many spring and hammer kits also will likely work, enabling you to drop trigger pull on the cheap. Unique to this rifle, however, is the blade-in-bow safety that staves off accidental discharge from banging or dropping and automatically engages and disengages during normal trigger operation.

For those who like a little more, there is also the usual crossbolt safety located toward the front of the trigger guard. It is reversible for lefties, which is a nice consideration for those starting out. As a primarily left-handed shooter, I find right-handed safeties so ingrained in process that I didn’t bother taking advantage of this feature. On the topic of southpaws, the magazine catch extends from both sides of the rifle, making it easy for either dexterity or offering an option for those situations where you find yourself in a compromised or awkward position. Pressing it forward allowed the magazine to drop freely, which isn’t always the case with these things, and I greatly appreciated it.

Hammerli nailed the stock on this one (not sorry for the pun), as it’s lightweight and adaptable. Using injection-molded polymer, the company was able to keep the price down while embedding the accoutrements today’s shooters demand. Chief among these is the M-LOK plate located on the underside of the forend. By removing it, the textured covering also can be removed, laying the groundwork to affix M-LOK panels to the sides. As shooters of all sizes enjoy rimfire, the stock extends with the literal push of a button. This button is recessed into the rubber buttpad and offers close to two extra inches of length of pull to help accommodate the growing shooter or a firing position that brings one’s eye closer to the optic.

On the subject of optics, the rubber comb can be pulled from its groove and flipped to offer about another inch of height to help offset the impact of rings that might be a touch too high. In addition, a QD sling socket is installed into the belly of the buttstock to offer the hunter a means of carrying the B1 afield. If single-point methods aren’t your jam, several solutions can be affixed to the M-LOK on the front end for a two-point sling.

Accuracy

Preparing the Force B1 for the range is relatively straightforward, as it comes with a Picatinny rail machined into the receiver. I always prefer this over adding a rail myself, as there is no conceivable way for it to come loose during a hunt or shooting session. Good guns deserve good glass, so I retrieved a Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12X from the armory and proceeded to the workbench. Choosing a Leupold optic is always easy, but the Freedom line removes the cost barrier that keeps many at arm’s length. A simple three-times zoom ratio significantly reduces manufacturing expenses, allowing the company to retain its advanced optical system while offering a price that is more realistic for the casual hunter and target shooter. A pair of Warne’s Maxima rings positioned it at the perfect height. Although their steel construction might be considered overkill in this application, I prefer the better-safe-than-sorry model when preparing outdoor equipment.

As previously mentioned, Hammerli’s straight-pull rimfire rifle comes suppressor ready, so why not add one? In my safe, I had a Rugged Mustang22 that was perfect for this firearm. As rimfire rifles are already pretty quiet on their own, I set it up in the short configuration for this outing. This mitigates any weight or balance disruption that folks attribute to their use. Overall, the B1 makes a fabulous suppressor host, as the action remains shut during firing. This further quiets the report while altogether eliminating the clank of any moving parts. The fixed firing mechanism also pushes more carbon out of the bore instead of back into the receiver, letting it run cleaner as well.

With the scope mounted and the suppressor screwed on, all that was left was to pick out some ammunition. Rimfire fodder runs the gamut, so it’s best to sample as much of the buffet as possible. To give the B1 an edge, I included some time-tested match-grade ammo like SK’s Rifle Match and CCI’s Green Tag loads. I also branched out to include Fiocchi’s Official 320 round and Lapua’s new Long Range ammo, as further targets were planned for later in the day. Straight-pull rifles are more than just target rifles, though, so I included some hollowpoint options as well. Among them was Remington’s new 22 Golden Hunter, which is a 40-grain spin on the classic Golden Bullet product that we all grew up with.

Under new management, Remington is now boasting a few design changes in its rimfire line, so I was excited to see how they performed. Flying below the speed of sound was Eley’s Subsonic Hollow Point ammo, which seems to have a love-hate relationship with any given firearm. Some guns will put five in the same hole, whereas others make you regret the second mortgage you took out to buy a brick. Somewhere in the middle falls Aguila’s .22 Super Extra Hollow Point ammunition. Although it’s “bulk pack” in nature, I’ve pulled performance from it that’s rivaled some of the best match-grade creations on the market.

I began testing from a benchrested position off my left shoulder, as this is how I’m most natural. With my left hand planted on the grip, I enjoyed the speed at which I could run the bolt with my right hand and stay on target through the entire string of fire. As predicted, subsonic ammunition was dead quiet, with the loudest sound on the range being the bullets impacting the berm. Although the gun fed everything just fine, it was certainly picky in the accuracy department. It did not like the Eley ammo, which I figured might be the case from previous experience. It did perform excellently with the Lapua, which again didn’t come as much of a surprise. What surprised me was what came in second, and that was Remington’s new load. Golden ammo isn’t built to win matches; it’s built to feed firearms in an affordable manner to promote frequent range trips. When you combine its consistency with its lethality and reduced investment, it becomes balanced enough to be the only round you need with this rifle.

I ended the day by taking a stroll down the woods walk target array that we have on our property. It currently consists of 20 steel silhouettes placed between 23 and 121 yards. Each stage forces you to shoot around obstacles and vegetation, just as you might have to in the field. Here, I ran the rifle right-handed to get a better feel for the action, and boy, was it slick. I recalled the promotional video that showed one-finger cycling and was able to reproduce it without any sort of theatrics. The compact nature of the rifle also made it exceptionally easy to balance, especially when taking a knee or going prone. This rifle would certainly be in the running for a squirrel rifle or something to take care of that woodchuck that thinks I don’t know he’s found a way into the barn.

Wrapping things up, I was particularly pleased with Hammerli’s Force B1. I found it operated as smoothly as advertised and was remarkably quiet when suppressed. After close to 200 rounds, the action looked virtually unfired as well, noting its ease of maintenance. As with most .22 LR firearms, I can think of dozens of uses for this rifle; it excelled in both my accuracy and handling tests. You’d do well to consider one to replace your favorite bolt action or semiautomatic, or maybe even just to stick between them, as it neatly will fill the void in your gun safe, both figuratively and literally.

Hammerli FORCE B1 SPECS

• MANUFACTURER: Hammerli Arms, hammerliarms.com
• IMPORTER: Umarex USA
• TYPE: Straight-pull bolt-action repeater
• CALIBER: .22 LR
• MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10 rounds
• BARREL: 16.1 in.
• OVERALL LENGTH: 35.5 to 37.4 in.
• WEIGHT, EMPTY: 5.75 lbs.
• STOCK: Polymer
• LENGTH OF PULL: 14.38 to 16.25 in.
• FINISH: Matte black metal, black stock
• SIGHTS: None, integral Picatinny rail
• TRIGGER: 5.25-lb. pull (as tested)
• SAFETY: Crossbolt and trigger blade
• MSRP: $649

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