Serbu Firearms, Inc., Tampa, Florida

markserbu · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject: The big announcement....

Just got through test-firing the BFG-50A in the bullet trap down in the shop, and it works!! This is the same rifle we had at the SHOT show, only it's finished now. It's going to get a couple of tweaks and undergo a lot of endurance testing before we're ready to ship any, but it's good to know that after all these years we finally have a .50 BMG semi-automatic!! I'm very psyched!! For those who aren't up on this gun, it's gas-operated and uses a system similar to the Ljungman AG-42 or a MAS 49/56. There's a fixed piston on the trunnion face which goes into a cylinder that's recessed into the bolt carrier face. It works well and doesn't seem to contaminate the action with gas and crap. The bolt is a 3-lug, and what's unique about it is that the lug surfaces are helical. Obviously, the mating surfaces on the barrel extension are helical as well. I'll post some more pics and a video when I get a chance. In the meantime we're going to introduce the BFG-50M, which is just like the "A" but without the gas system. The plan is for the first version to have a non quick change barrel and handguard, and sell for $3500. The handguard and barrel/barrel extension can still be removed, but it just requires tools and several minutes. The cooler version will have a quickly removable barrel and handguard. The change will take seconds and require no tools. We expect to sell it for $4000. Don't quote me on this, but we plan to have the "M" version out before the end of the year. That's two weeks away, right? Wink

ke6guj · Know-it-all Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 47

Cool!!

Too bad that the price of a mag-fed bolt-action has gone up from the expected $2500 to then $3000, and now $3500-4000.

That said, will the expense of a later semi-auto upgrade be in the $1000 range, and will the BFG-50M still be upgradable, both the fixed and quick-change versions?

441 · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:43 pm Post subject:

I got dibbs on it Razz

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Carbine Kevin

markserbu · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject:

ke6guj · Know-it-all Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 47

FCSA# 394 · Dangerous Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 21

You auto cycle or just one round!!!!!!!!!! Twisted Evil

Florida Ammo Traders · Know-it-all Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 47

I saw the BFG50A again yesterday and everytime I see it the damn thing looks more and more beautiful...

markserbu

There. I threw a question mark in so that I may treat your statement as a question. Twisted Evil

In any case, IT WORKS! IT CYCLES SEMIAUTOMATICALLY!! It wouldn't do too well with our anemic test-firing rounds which have 200 grains of WC860 powder in 'em, but the ones with 220 grains work fine. Still haven't gotten my 'Welcome to the club" call from Ronnie. Smile

FCSA# 394 · Dangerous Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 21

I'm sure your semi will be on Ronnie's mind. You worked a long time on this & now it's time to manufacture for the public. I beleive that you will have many requests for your semi. Maybe a government contract is in your future. Razz

markserbu · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject: Another pic

On the test stand....

TCPilot · Guru Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 117 Location: PRK

Mark,

First off, COOL! Sign me up for one! As a lucky CA registered BFG-50 receiver holder, I'm looking forward to building up a semi-auto. Couple of quick questions:

1) So if it's similar to the Ljungman AG-42 and MAS 49/56, it's a lot like a giant AR-15, eh? i.e. a direct-impingement gas system? Sounds awesome.

2) Just to clarify, if I get the -M version, will it be upgradeable with the gas system & quick-detach handguard/barrel at a later time?

Thanks & Congrats on the milestone,

/TCP
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Armed Pilot!

50 Shooter · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:22 pm Post subject:

Mark,
Could you elaborate on the differences of the BFG-50A and the M82, basically the differences in how each style works. I'm not saying give away any trade secrets, just the basic concepts.

markserbu · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:02 pm Post subject:

Sure thing. What we have in common: Magazine, caliber. Some say appearance. Both use 3-lug bolts, sliding plate extractors, plunger ejectors. Both have sheet metal receivers. Ours is gas operated, theirs is recoil operated. Theirs is striker fired, ours is hammer fired. Theirs separates at the upper/lower interface, ours has a removable barrel and handguard. That's about all I can think of.

markserbu · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the comments. It's not like a giant AR-15. In that system, the gas goes all the way INSIDE the bolt carrier and pushes on the back of the bolt head. In the Ljungman, MAS 49/56 and ours, the gas system ends at the fixed piston, which dumps gas into a blind hole in the bolt carrier. You can see this in the attached picture of the MAS 49/56 action.

Upgrading the BFG-50M to a BFG-50A....not sure if you can upgrade to the quick change system or not, but you can definitely upgrade from mag-fed to semi-auto.

TCPilot · Guru Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 117 Location: PRK

Mark,

Thanks for the info! The picture of the MAS really helps clarify what you explained. "Aha," methinks, "NOW I get it!"

OK then....put me on the list for one of the quick-detach versions!

/TCP
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Armed Pilot!