Special Operations Assault Rifle
The Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR) is an assault rifle manufactured by FERFRANS and designed as an improvement of the M4 carbine.
| Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | United States Philippines |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004-present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Guerrilla Operations in the Philippines |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ferdinand and Francis Sy |
| Designed | 1998 |
| Manufacturer | FERFRANS |
| Produced | 2004-present |
| Variants | Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm (.223 in) |
| Action | SOAR: Gas-operated, rotating bolt (direct impingement) SOAR-P: Short-stroke piston, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 550-680 round/min[1][2] |
| Feed system | Various STANAG magazines |
| Sights | Iron sights or various optics |
Details
The SOAR is a selective fire 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle firing from either a closed rotating bolt (direct impingement) for the standard SOAR model, or in a short-stroke piston rotating bolt for the SOAR-P variant.[3]
It differs from the typical M4 due to FERFRANS' preference to better control on full-automatic mode. Among the features include a patented Delayed Sear Activation System that reduces its cyclic rate of fire in full-auto to just around 550 to 680 rpm, reducing muzzle climb and improving control-ability. It also uses a heavy machine gun barrel for increased reliability in sustained firing, rifled in either 1:7 or 1:9 right-hand twist.[2]
Variants
The SOAR is available in both the standard SOAR or the piston-driven SOAR-P.
Barrel length options for the SOAR are in 10.5", 11.5", 14.5", 16", 18", and 20" lengths.[2]
Known upgrades are known as the 10.5 Mk2, 10.5 Mk2-2 and the 11 Mk2.[4]
Users
Peru[5]
Philippines: Philippine Army Special Operations Command, PNP Special Action Force,[5] Lapu-Lapu City SWAT[6]
Malaysia: Limited use by Special Actions Unit of the Royal Malaysia Police[5]
Thailand: Limited use by Naval Special Warfare Command (Thailand) and Arintaraj 26[5]
United States: Limited use with some SWAT teams[5]
References
- "FERFRANS SOAR AR-Type CQB Subcarbines/SBRs: Photos and Video on the Way". 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- "FERFRANS SOAR". FERFRANS. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
- "FERFRANS SOAR P". FERFRANS. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
- gallery. Archived 2009-02-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on August 4, 2008.
- Ferfrans Rate Reduction System. Retrieved on October 27, 2007.
- "Firm converts M16 to M4 rifles for Lapu police force". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2015-10-08.