FB Mini-Beryl

Lore & Background

The Mini-Beryl's design combines features from both the FB Onyks carbine and the FB Beryl rifle; the principal components that were modified include the barrel, barrel trunnion, upper and lower handguards, muzzle device and magazine. The weapon's method of operation, the rotary bolt locking mechanism and ammunition are identical to those of the wz. 1996 Beryl standard rifle. The 235 mm barrel has a profile nearly identical to the barrel of the wz. 89 Onyks carbine, though it is slightly longer to accommodate the modified gas block. The muzzle device, externally similar to the Onyks's attachment, has deeper-seated threading used to screw the flash suppressor into the gas block and features a compensator with two symmetrical ports at a 90° angle; it can also fire rifle grenades to ranges up to 150 meters.

The magazine developed for the Mini-Beryl is shorter than the standard Beryl magazine and has a 20-round capacity; standard Beryl magazines can also be used. New magazines are molded from translucent polymer allowing visual monitoring of ammunition level. The base of the rear sight has cut-outs on its top surface for mounting optical sights or a Picatinny-type rail adapter; a variant is offered with a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail instead of the standard rear sight, with a simple auxiliary rear sight built into the rail. The standard rear sight and front post have luminescent dots for poor-light aiming. The gas block is longer than that of the Onyks and has internal threading to secure the muzzle device. The carbine has a twin-strut stock folding to the right, with a rubber butt-plate; all furniture is high-impact black plastic. The bolt carrier and piston rod, gas cylinder, upper handguard and sighting system are identical to those in the wz. 1989 Onyks, while the receiver housing, dust cover, trigger group and magazine are the same as those in the wz. 1996 Beryl.

Standard equipment includes three spare magazines (including one 20-round short magazine), four 15-round stripper clips, a stripper clip magazine guide, maintenance kit, cleaning rod, sling, magazine and accessory pouch, and oil bottle. The carbine can also be fitted with two side rails on the lower handguard for tactical accessories and illumination devices, a vertical forward grip, and a blank-firing muzzle attachment.

Reader's Guide

The FB Mini-Beryl represents a compact variant of the Polish wz. 96 Beryl service rifle, designed for use in confined spaces or by troops requiring a shorter weapon. Its development paralleled that of the standard Beryl, and it entered Polish service in 1997. The carbine's design draws on components from both the earlier FB Onyks and the Beryl, creating a hybrid that shares many parts with its predecessors. The Mini-Beryl's 20-round translucent magazine and ability to accept standard Beryl magazines offer flexibility in ammunition management. The weapon's sighting system includes provisions for optical sights or a Picatinny rail, and its muzzle device can launch rifle grenades. The carbine has seen limited export, with small numbers adopted by Lithuania and tested by Nigeria. Its significance lies in providing a compact, 5.56×45mm option within the Polish military's Beryl family, maintaining commonality with the standard rifle while reducing overall length for specialized roles.

Did You Know?

• The Mini-Beryl's barrel is 235 mm (9.3 in) long with a rifling twist rate of 1 in 228 mm (1:9 in).
• The carbine's bolt carrier and piston rod are identical to those used in the wz. 1989 Onyks.