B&T APC308
The first firearm up is a B&T APC308. B&T is a Swiss firearm and suppressor manufacturer that recently gained notoriety in the United States with its U.S. Army APC9 contract. B&T has quickly risen to become one of my favorite companies, as its intuitive and unique designs are made to an incredibly high Swiss standard of quality.
Related Review: B&T APC9 Rocks Compact Firepower for Advanced Security Ops
The APC308 is a competitor to contemporary firearms like the FN SCAR 17S. This piston-driven AR-esque rifle is chambered for .308 Winchester and feeds off of standard AR-10 magazines, so you don't have to pay for proprietary accessories.
As to be expected from a Swiss company, the APC308 is a work of art as much as it is a functional, well-built firearm. The rifle is completely ambidextrous, sharing the selector switch, bolt hold/bolt release, and magazine release on both sides of the receiver. The rifle also has an ambidextrous charging handle that is spring-loaded to fold against the firearm. While I typically do not care for folding charging handles, as they are difficult to actuate during times of stress, the B&T design Is the lightest and easiest action that I have ever used.
Considering B&T’s reputation in the suppressor market, it goes without saying that one of the key features to the APC308 is an adjustable gas system for tuning in a suppressor. The rifle also features M-LOK slots for mounting accessories. The stock is foldable, adjustable for length of pull, and includes a cheek riser. The design is reminiscent of the Ugg boot aesthetic that the SCAR series includes.
Everything about the APC308 is made to a high standard with precision in mind. While it may not be the cheapest thing on the market, you can rock any B&T product with confidence knowing the standard the company sets.
Interfor M53
Next we have the Interfor M53, which was a domestic clone of the H&K 53. H&K is well known for its roller-delayed firearms, dating back to the G3, a rifle that finds its lineage with the Spanish CETME. The G3 was an iconic battle rifle that competed against the FN FAL as the standard rifle for Western militaries during the Cold War.
Related: G-series FAL – Admiring a Collectible FN FAL Import
The M53 design closely mimics the 9mm MP5 submachine gun, which is recognized as a pillar in the roller-delayed line. This beefed-up roller-delayed pistol is chambered in 5.56 NATO with a 9-inch barrel and a 30-round magazine. This short design offered more power than a standard MP5 design in 9mm.
Unfortunately, the original H&K-designed 5.56 with the model 33 and 53 never saw the success of the G3 and MP5. This resulted in much fewer of these designs and their clones floating around in the market. While there is still some limited use in Southeast Asia and South America, it is fairly uncommon to find these 5.56 designs, making this Interfor M53 a real gem.
The design of the M53 has the same features and operation as the MP5. There is the rear drum adjustable site, a standard HK trigger pack with safety selector, a paddle release magazine with adjacent button, and a charging handle that locks to the rear, just asking for an H&K slap. This thick MP5 design makes for a great 5.56-chambered handgun.
Armi Jager AP85
Lastly, we have the Armi Jager AP85. Armi Jager is an Italian firearm company largely known for making common military designs in non-military calibers. Several countries have made it illegal to own firearms in standard military calibers, so Armi Jager attempts to help scratch the itch of gun enthusiasts in these restrictive nations.
While the United States does not have such restrictions on caliber, the AP85 is a unique design for a different reason. This rifle is modeled after the bullpup FAMAS, a rifle that has never been officially imported into the United States. A handful of examples have been imported as samples, but there is no domestic opportunity to own an FAMAS. Luckily, Armi Jager does import the AP85.
The AP85 is designed to mimic the features and operation of the FAMAS. The rifle is chambered in .22 LR and features a wood handguard and pistol grip. An integrated carrying handle houses the iron sights and protects the top-mounted charging handle. The bullpup design accommodates a rear-inserted magazine, keeping the overall length of the firearm fairly short while maintaining a longer barrel.
Summary
Much to the dismay of my monthly paycheck, these are a few of my favorite firearms from the Guns.com Certified Used inventory. As an extreme gun nerd, I am always excited to see unique, fun, intuitive, and rare designs come through our warehouse. Just be careful, or also like me, you’ll end up poor and eating ramen every month.
Related: April Warehouse Picks – Unique H&K Imports and a Swiss SIG
