Recently, Battle Arms Development announced it would show its Paratrooper at the 2018 SHOT Show. But, you may be asking yourself: “What is the Paratrooper?”
Four letters too long to be a hit record from Iron Maiden, the Paratrooper is a short barrel rifle (SBR) chambered for the 300 BLK cartridge. The company designed it in way to evoke memories of a World War II gun carried by airborne troops. In a way, it has a look similar to an updated M1 Carbine though the two weapon systems are very different.
At its core, this is an AR style rifle that uses a direct impingement gas system and keeps all of the typical placements of AR controls. However, this is decidedly not the same AR as conceived by Eugene Stoner.
The rifle has a 7.5” chromoly steel barrel with a tapered profile and a 1:8” twist. It is equipped with a titanium gas block and a pistol length gas tube. The muzzle is threaded with an A2 compensator and 11˚ target crown.
Both the handguard and pistol grip are made of Grade A French walnut. The barrel is shrouded with a 6.7 RIGIDRAIL that is free floating and provides M-LOK type attachment points.
Taking up the rear is a VERT Stock System. It has a cheek rest that is powder coated with a wood finish to match the real wood furniture. The receiver and stock have a Cerakote finish that is, according to the company, a blended Parkerized Green Steel and Cosmoline finish.
Additional features include:
- BCM Gunfighter ambidextrous charging handle
- Ambidextrous controls
- Nitride steel pins
- BAD Edition TT-15 adjustable trigger with frictionless roller sear
- Enhanced magazine release
- Custom hard case with high density foam
- Two 20-round USGI magazines
Since this is a short barrel rifle, the National Firearms Act does apply. That means you have to get a tax stamp from the BATFE prior to taking possession of this rifle. Frankly, as cool as this gun looks, I’d consider it $200 well spent.