First Look: Franklin Armory OPS-16R Rifle And Upper

A piston-powered AR that adapts to your suppressor.

by
posted on August 17, 2025
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Franklin Armory OPS-16R

Franklin Armory, Inc. as a reputation for being one of America’s most innovative manufacturers of firearms and accessories. Now the company has begun shipping the first variant of its patent-pending Osprey Defense piston-driven AR series. What sets the Osprey Defense short-stroke piston system apart from other similar systems is its patent-pending, self-regulating, low-profile design that enables users to shoot suppressed and unsuppressed seamlessly without any need for adjustments to the gas block.

The first units shipping of Franklin Armory’s Osprey Defense series is OPS-16R, a 16-inch barreled rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO. OPS-16R features a slimline M-Lok handguard, B5 Systems stock and grip and Franklin Armory’s proprietary Triumvir linear-compensating flash suppressor muzzle device.

Franklin Armory OPS-16R Specifications

  • Barrel Length: 16 inches
  • Barrel Profile: LTW contour
  • Barrel Twist: 1:7-inch Right hand
  • Handguard Length: 15 inches
  • Handguard Accessories: Barrier stop
  • Charging Handle: Standard
  • Bolt Carrier: Salt-bath nitride
  • Lower: FAI
  • Trigger: Custom-tuned trigger
  • Selector: Single-Sided
  • Gas System: Osprey piston system
  • Gas Block: Low Profile
  • Muzzle Device: Triumvir linear
  • Color: Black
  • Stock: B5 SOPMOD
  • Grip: B5 P-Grip
  • Caliber: 5.56 NATO
  • Trigger Guard: B5 Systems composite
  • Magazines Included: One 30-round steel

The base OPS-16R has an MSRP of $1,349.99 for a complete piston-driven MSR. There is also a model equipped with Franklin’s Binary Firing System that has an MSRP of $1,539.99. Franklin Armory’s Osprey Defense piston system is also available as a complete upper receiver with 16-inch barrel at an MSRP of $849.99. Visit franklinarmory.com To learn more about the new OPS-16R, or other firearms and products manufactured by Franklin Armory.

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