MSPO 2026 – Fabryka Broni exhibits the production standard A3 version of its MSBS Grot

Part of PGZ (Polzka Grupa Zbrojeniowa), the Polish Armament Group, Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, and at MSPO 2026 exhibits the latest iteration of its MSBS Grot assault rifle in 5.56×45 mm calibre. Announced at the Small Arms Conference held in Zegrze in July 2024, the rifle is now entering production, the model seen at the Kielce exhibition being therefore at the product standard

The development work was based on lessons learned from several sources. One is obviously the Ukrainian Army, which received an undisclosed number of Grot in the A0 and A1 versions, Polish Army units being obviously the other source, especially parachute units, as well as Polish Special Forces. The Grot features a short-stroke gas piston action with rotating bolt, has a 700-900 rounds per minute and is usually fitted with a 14.5-inch barrel (368 mm), a 16-inch (406 mm) barrel being also available.

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In late 2021 a series of upgrades were introduced, leading to the Grot A2 version. Recent events saw the rifle of Polish origin being used in combat, which led to further suggestions. These were complemented by comments from the national user, leading to the A3 version, which production configuration was visible at MSPO, fitted with a Fabryka Broni-made suppressor and an optical sight. EDR On-Line understood that to evaluate the new version the Polish MoD did not relied only on special units, but heavily involved Polish Territorial Defence Forces, which in 2025 reached the considerable size of over 40,000 personnel. This marks the importance given by Poland to the capacity of reserve forces, should a conflict start; the target size is 55,000, half that of the current Polish regular Army. Selecting the territorial component to test the new version of the in-service assault rifle underlines the importance of providing non-professional personnel with a soldier-friendly weapon.

The day before the opening of MSPO EDR On-Line was invited at the company facility where it could have a hands-on session on the rifle. According to Radomir Bałazi, the company sales director, the shift from the A2 to the A3 variant includes around 60 different elements.

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Visually the main difference is in the stock; the A3 version features an adaptor that allows installing the stock selected by the customer, the rifle seen at MSPO being fitted with an M4-type telescopic one allowing adapting the weapon to the shooter. Moreover, the housing of the stock has been reinforced. The stock can be folded on the rifle left side to reduce length when not in use, as it was with the previous models. The trigger unit has been modified as well as the selector; the latter used to have a 90° rotation and includes safe-single-auto positions, which have now a greater separation as the selector rotates 135°; the rotation between the safe and the semi-auto position is of 45° as in the A2, while that between the semi-auto and the auto position is now of 90° and not 45° as in the A2, which allows the user to understand what he is selecting without the need to look at the selector. In the A3 the gap in the cocking handle movement has been reduced, which ensures that less dust or water enters the mechanism when operating in sandy or rainy conditions, reducing the need to clean the weapon.

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The old bolt carrier parts were welded together; this was prone to cracks, which were not critical, however the problem has been solved, the new bolt being now in two parts which are connected by two pins. The gas regulator has also been replaced with a new one which can be removed without taking out the barrel and can be completely disassembled, making it easier and quicker to clean. A new Simmer profile handguard has been installed; it allows a better grip, is fitted with M-LOCK slots at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, while on top a typical Picatinny rail is fitted, which allows a longer aiming base compared to the A2 version. Another feature of the A3 configuration is that it accepts the third generation Magpul magazines, which is not true for previous versions. The A3 version is also fitted with improved iron sights.

The Grot A3 is available with two different barrel lengths, a 14.5-inch (368 mm) and a 16-inch (406 mm), EDR On-line understanding the shorter barrel not allowing to install a bayonet; twist rate is the typical 1:7-inch with 6 grooves, muzzle velocity being respectively 850-900 m/s and 870-920 m/s. Length is 846 and 883 mm with retracted stock. A major improvement of the A3 versus the A2 is mass; the new version brings it to 3.4 kg (empty, with the 14.5-inch barrel) compared to the previous 3.7 kg, an 8% reduction, mass saving being always very much appreciated by soldiers on foot. With ?? the mass is respectively 3.58 kg with the shorter barrel and 3.62 kg with the longer one.

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We had the opportunity to test the new weapon in the company shooting range; as the 100 metres tunnel was busy with production weapon testing, we were allowed in the 25 metres range, which obviously does not allow to appreciate the weapon accuracy but permits to get a feeling on ergonomy and operations. Two weapons were available, one in the conventional version with a 16-inch barrel and one in the bullpup configuration with a 14.5-inch one.

The conventional rifle was fitted with the new iron sights, while the bullpup featured a red dot sight, the standard issue sight for Polish Territorial Defence Forces being the Eotech HWS EXPS3. Both models proved to be easy to use, rifle rise being limited, allowing to release the next round on target at a good pace when shooting in semi-auto mode.

Fabryka Broni started producing the A3 version around two months ago, the first production rifles to be delivered to the Polish Army before year end. A first contract for the national customer was signed in late June 2026 for a first batch of 46,000 assault rifles. According to the company sales director Fabrika Broni will be busy producing the rifle in the next three years mostly for Poland, these Grot adding to the 238,000 weapons of the previous versions already delivered. EDR On-Line understood that the Polish Army has not received any Grot in the bullpup version, hence all those that will be provided will be at the A3 standard. No more details were provided by the company, which left to the military such type of information. New rifles may replace older ones in regular Army units, the latter being switched to Territorial formations, a total of around 200,000 Grot in the A0/A1/A2 configurations having been delivered to the Polish military. On the export market, Fabryka Broni signed two contracts with African countries, in 2022 and 2023, no more details being provided.

Photos by P. Valpolini