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Hammerli Force B1

  • By Chris Parkin
  • Last updated: 12/12/2024
  • Review
Hammerli Force B1

Hammerli’s Force B1 is an unusual concept offering a side-lever/toggle-type action to rimfire shooters. The action described is commonly found on biathlon rifles because it allows for quick use with minimal physical movement while maintaining a stable standing shooting position. This type of action is also commonly seen on air rifles, so it may be familiar to many readers. However, I have only seen it on one non-biathlon rifle before this one. The mechanism is actually very simple, possibly even more so than a bolt-action rifle, and this Hammerli has several key benefits due to this mechanism.

German style
The rifle is made in Germany and features a 410mm/16” barrel that’s screwcut ½”x28 for a sound moderator. A thread protector is supplied with an underlying O-ring to ensure this or any accessory stays tight and vibration-free. The matte black finish is consistent throughout, and the barrel free floats along the square section fore-end, although only by about 1mm. As you approach the action, there are some similarities to the Ruger 10-22, and in fact, this gun uses the same 10-round rotary magazines and a compatible trigger group. Scope mounting is via a Picatinny rail that is incorporated into the receiver body.
The magazine clips in underneath and there is a wide-winged ambidextrous release lever on the front of the trigger guard, allowing it to drop cleanly into your waiting hand without any snags.
The trigger is a single-stage unit with slight creep and it features a cross-bolt safety catch. There is an inner safety blade on the trigger, with a distinctive crescent shape and a sharp point that encourages central squeezing, rather than the tip.

Upgrade versatility
The magazine loads easily when removed from the rifle and can be fully dismantled and serviced if required. Thankfully, this side-lever rifle doesn’t suffer from the same gas debris that a semi-auto does. Consequently, it is far more reliable, without the need for such frequent maintenance.
The side-lever simply draws open from the gun to withdraw the bolt and it is then pushed home to close and lock the action, which it has also now cocked. This works fluidly without interruptions. However, be aware that it needs decisive lateral force to close it and click/toggle it shut. When you are shooting with your leading hand on the fore-end, you may not notice it, but when shooting prone or from a bench with your non-shooting hand supporting the butt of the gun, you will notice the effort required and possible disturbance to your point of aim. I tended to find I closed the lever and toggled it home with my right thumb while my fingers gripped the underside of the trigger guard for purchase, minimising disturbance to the rifle. However, this process makes it slower to operate than a regular bolt-action. The lever’s handle is easily gripped when opening the rifle and has flat surfaces to press down on without discomfort.

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Two barrels?
The second unusual feature of Hammerli is the removable/interchangeable barrel. There is a knurled, spring-loaded locking collar ahead of the chamber, and although I didn’t manage to unlock it when the gun was assembled, I did with the barrelled action out of the stock. The action itself is held in place with two action screws and lifts clear, revealing a neat injection moulded inlet that fits the action precisely. With it removed, slide the collar towards the action with one hand and then the barrel is released. Finally, just draw it out. You can see the circumferential ball bearings within the mechanism that keeps the barrel in position. When replaced, the point of impact was within 3cm of the previous 50m zero. So, it seems to work reliably.
I was left wondering why this rifle offers barrel removal, as the gun is available in .22LR and .22WMR with associated magazines to fit the relevant cartridge, but will anyone be swapping between these two? I guess that’s a decision for the shooter.

Long stock
I found the stock quite interesting. There is an M-LOK rail on the underside of the polymer fore-end, enabling multiple accessory types to be added. The square section is comfortably gripped and stable on a bipod for prone shooting, and the moulded stippling also makes it comfortable and assured to grip and hold for more dynamic shots. Similar stippling is featured on the ambidextrous vertical pistol grip, which allows for a comfortable thumb-up or wrapped hold with easy access to the trigger blade.
The comb features a rubber centre section. After a bit more investigation, this rubber block lifts out and can be rotated and reinserted to offer ideal cheek weld alignment for a modest scope on the gun. Although looking simple, it is actually really comfortable and has a narrow profile that fits under the cheekbone without lateral jaw displacement. Secondary to this is the length of pull adjustment. There is a slim rubber recoil pad at the back which grips nicely in the shoulder pocket. It also has a small button towards the top. When pressed, it releases the telescopic length of pull adjustment. It’s interesting to note that with no extension at all, the Hammerli shows a 365mm/14.5” length of pull. This can be increased to 415mm/16.25”, which is long for any rifle, let alone a rimfire. Quite extraordinary.

Target technique
Setting the rifle up was simple. I attached a SAK moderator to the threaded muzzle and used the Picatinny rail for the Element scope. I added some Picatinny rail to the underside M-LOK for a Tier-One bipod. The magazines were very familiar, clipped in and out of the gun without snags, and I found the release lever quickly accessible. The trigger exhibited some creep but appeared consistent. Unlike a Ruger 10-22, the gas does not blast debris through the action, which is a good thing. As mentioned, the lever does require lateral pressure to lock it shut, so needs a bit more physical effort than a bolt-action gun, but when in rapid-fire use it is very quick in operation and extremely intuitive. The side-lever is easily gripped to ‘rip’ the gun open and fling the ejected brass clear. With your left hand on the fore-end, the gun is securely held to push it forward and closed without hesitation.

Performance on paper
I found the results on target a little more variable than most .22 rimfires. However, none of the ammunition used suffered from any headspace issues or different feed/firing/ejection characteristics. The action itself is fundamentally consistent in terms of locking the ammunition in the chamber, although it must be accepted that an interchangeable barrel held in by a sprung locking collar will never offer the consistency of a screwed or clamped barrel. It’s fair to say the gun appreciated slightly more delicate handling than average, as the fore-end is a little bit flexible, and you do need to make sure your trigger control is precise.

Conclusion
The Hammerli is certainly a characterful rifle and did draw attention at the range due to the unusual action. I would say the rifle is more suited to a hunting environment than dedicated target shooting or any kind of long-range precision use. It is pleasing to shoot, very comfortable for head position, and especially suited to anyone needing a rimfire with longer stock dimensions. In a dynamic situation, the action is very fast, with more reliability than a semi-automatic rifle whose gas blowback mechanism makes it necessary to frequently clean the magazines and the inside of the action.
Hammerli has made an interesting step towards offering an alternative action style at an entry price point. However, bear in mind that a true competition rifle has a far more complex linkage, with bearings and purpose-made actions that minimise the forces of a side-lever.

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gun
features

  • Name: : Hammerli Force B1
  • Calibre: : .22LR
  • Barrel Length:: 410mm/16” (510mm/20” also available)
  • Overall Length:: 900mm/35.5”
  • Weight: : 2319g/5lbs 1.6oz
  • Length of Pull: : 365mm/14.5” to 415mm/16.25”
  • Magazine Capacity:: 10
  • Price:: £749.99
  • Contact:: Sportsman Gun Centre - www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk
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