BMS Cam rifle

The BMS Cam rifle is a series of British bolt action rifles made by BMS Trading Ltd chambered in the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and using STANAG magazines.[3] The rifle was introduced in 1980[2] and is still in production as of 2018.[3] The rifle has been popular for hunting and sport shooting in the UK, and has also seen some limited use as a sharpshooter rifle by some British police and military units as well as some American police units.

BMS Cam
TypePrecision rifle
Place of originGreat Britain
Service history
Used byMostly hunters and sport shooters.
Also some use by British police and military units, American police[1] units
Production history
Designed1980[2]
ManufacturerBMS Trading Ltd[3]
VariantsMilcam, Comcam, Snicam, Covcam, Polcam[4]
Specifications
Mass3.6 to 5 kg (depending on configuration)[1]
Length1000-1200 mm[5]
Barrel length500-620 mm[2][6]
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionBolt action
Effective firing range500-600 m[7][2]
Feed systemSTANAG magazine
SightsIntegrated Weaver rail for mounting a scope sight.
Some older models came with iron sights and/or a dovetail rail.
References

Technical

The name of the rifle comes from the unique camming mechanism design of the bolt which is used in order to provide a mechanical advantage to ensure chambering and primary extraction with the AR-type barrel and bolt head used on the rifle. With its eight bolt lugs the rifle has a bolt lift of only 22.5°,[6][8] which is very short compared to the 60 to 90° bolt lifts found on most other rifles.[9][10][11] Patents for the camming action were applied for in 1988, but were refused in 1992 as details had been made public by the makers before the application was submitted.[12][13] The mechanism cocks on closing similar to the Lee–Enfield, and the trigger unit is very similar to the Mauser K98.[14] Due to its firing pin design being similar to the Mauser, the Cam rifle has a lock time comparable to the Mauser. The rifle has a relatively small and constricted ejection port[8] which enhances receiver stiffness. Trigger pull weight can be adjusted using a hex key, and the safety operates similarly to the Garand rifle.[6] The trigger guard is oversized to facilitate operation with gloves in cold weather.[7]

Variants

Numerous versions[4] and upgrades[8] have been made over the years. The latest versions all have a carbon fiber composite stock.[15] Options for mounting optical sights have also varied thoroughout the years, from iron sights only on the first models, to various dovetail rails on later models. All current models have an integrated Weaver rail (not Picatinny compatible).[8]

  • Series 1 (Mk1): Wooden stock with a wooden handguard. Only iron sights.
  • Series 2 (Mk2): Wooden stock with a weight saving cutout in the rear and without a handguard. Detachable Weaver rail.
  • Series 3 (Mk3): Carbon fiber stock in a somewhat similar design to the Mk2. Integrated Weaver rail.

Models
  • Milcam was originally offered in a wooden stock with iron sights only, an A2 flash hider and no mounting point for a scope. Later the HB version was offered, which was tapped for a scope sight and had a heavier barrel. The current Milcam version has an integrated Weaver rail and a carbon fiber stock.
  • Comcam is a more compact carbine version with a shorter barrel than the Milcam. The Comcam also originally came with no scope mount.
  • Snicam: A dedicated precision rifle produced to tighter tolerances. The Snicam has always been delivered without iron sights, and therefore has always had some form of mounting options for an optical sight. The current stock is a carbon fiber composite. All versions of the Snicam has had a stock adjustable for cheek height and length of pull. The Snicam has a special prong style flash hider, and has been delivered with different factory option bipods over the years (e.g. Atlas, G3 style or Versa-Pod spigot style).
  • Covcam was an integrally suppressed takedown version.
  • Polcam was a simplified and lower cost version of the Snicam precision rifle, and had a stock with no adjustment for length or height.[16]
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See also

References
  1. Paul Mulcahy’s Pages - British Sporting Rifles C-Z
  2. ohrana.ru - The Milcam rifle (Russian)
  3. Official webpage of BMS Trading Ltd
  4. BMS Milcam Rifle Series - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
  5. BMS Milcam Rifle Series - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
  6. Security Arms | Firearm Photo Archive - Milcam 5.56mm Sniper rifle
  7. weaponland.ru - Sniper rifle BMS Milcam HB / Snicam / Polcam (UK) - description, specifications, photos
  8. Thames Valley Guns - BMS CAM Rifle
  9. Browning.com - 60° bolt lift
  10. What difference do the number of bolt lugs make? | Ask the experts shooting queries | Rifle Shooter
  11. The Impressive Rise Of The Fat-Bolt Rifle | Gun Digest
  12. GB2218497A - Bolt action rifle with camming bolt handle - Google Patents
  13. GB8811217D0 - Bolt action rifle with camming bolt handle - Google Patents
  14. Milcam Sporting Rifles - MilCam 5.56mm Rifle - Ser No: 110
  15. Thames Valley Guns - Gallery One
  16. Firearms and small arms, description and specifications - BMS Milcam / HB / Snicam / Polcam
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