Hammerli Force B1 [Hands-On Review]: Best New .22 LR Rifle?

Boy howdy, I would not want to be a product planner for a new rimfire rifle right now. We already have every flavor of bolt gun, cowboy-themed lever gun, and miniature AR-15 anyone could ask for.

Meanwhile, precision rimfire rifles are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. What’s left to offer?

The people at Hammerli have an answer. The Hammerli Force B1 offers an unconventional action, a surprising degree of customization, and some really innovative features.

What is this odd German creature, and should you bother buying one? Let’s get some answers.

Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber .22 LR
• Action Toggle-style straight-pull
• Capacity 10+1
• Overall length 35.5” to 37.4”
• Barrel length 16.1”
• Weight 5.75 lbs
• Comes with One magazine, two magazine adapters, rifle lock
• MSRP $649

Features

• Quick-change barrel system
• Adjustable stock
• Integrated Picatinny rail

How We Tested The Hammerli Force B1

I didn’t just take the Force B1 to my local range and run a brick of .22 LR ammo through it (although I did that, too).

I flew to Idaho to attend American Tactical Shooting Instruction under the tutelage of Bill Rapier, one of the best professional shooters to walk the planet.

In addition to carbine drills and pistol work with the Walther PDP, we put boxes and boxes of ammo through the Hammerli Force B1. Courses of fire included zeroing a Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP, positional shooting, and a friendly competition on steel at 50 yards. Finally, we moved to a series of positions in the woods to practice identifying, ranging, and engaging hidden targets in a realistic mountain environment.

That didn’t satisfy my appetite for the Force B1, so I asked Hammerli to send me one so I could spend a few more months getting to know what this quirky little rifle is all about.

Hammerli Force B1 Background

I’ll forgive you if you’ve never heard of Hammerli. Until recently, the company only sold one commercial firearm model in the U.S. – the Tac R1 AR-15 in .22 LR.

Hammerli is no upstart, though. The Swiss company started building hunting rifles and shotguns in 1863. Production refocused on target pistols in the early 1900s, and Hammerli made a name for itself among Olympic shooters as one of the best air rifle manufacturers in the business.

Today, Hammerli is owned by Umarex, the parent company that also owns Walther. All Hammerli firearms (the Tac R1, Force B1, and Forge H1 1911) are built in Germany. Umarex also manufactures rimfire products for other companies, like H&K.

Who Is the Hammerli Force B1 For?

The Hammerli Force B1 is a conversation piece as much as a rifle – in a good way. If you enjoy things that are unorthodox and have performance to back up the weirdness, it’s the .22 for you.

Think of this as “production plus.” It’s not going to compete in the NRL22 open division or go toe to toe with the Ruger Precision Rimfire, but it can out-shoot lots of recreational plinking rifles.

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

Like most rimfire rifles, the Force B1 is short, light, and easy-handling. I’d give it an edge over the average plinker, though.

Adjustable Stock

This is a compact rifle, but the stock is adjustable for length of pull without tools. The rubber comb pad can also be flipped over to give you about an inch of extra height.

The vertical grip is a nod to more precision-oriented rifles, and I appreciate that. It encourages good form and a sound shooting position.

Quality Construction

The toggle-style action takes some getting used to, but it will reward you for your efforts after it breaks in. The straight-pull action begs to be run fast and the machining tolerances are nice and snug.

How Does The Hammerli Force B1 Shoot?

The Force B1 is one of those firearms that makes you want to shoot again before the first round makes impact – it’s wildly entertaining!

But it’s not a match rifle. I ultimately decided that the mighty Strike Eagle was too much scope for the Force B1 and replaced it with a more appropriate Holosun 510C red dot.

That was the right move because it let the rifle’s quick toggle-action shine, and imprecise rimfire ammo didn’t bother me at closer distances.

The Force B1’s trigger is definitely the weak point. It’s reliable, but the pull is fairly heavy. Luckily, the trigger group uses the same pattern as the Ruger 10/22, so aftermarket solutions are everywhere.

I swapped in a Volquartsen TG2000 that worked wonders for the Force B1. Trigger pull is fixed at 2.25 pounds but you can adjust for pretravel and overtravel. Installing it was a piece of cake with just one hex key to do the job.

Ringing steel with the Force B1 was pure fun, and the 10-round magazine always seemed to run dry before I was ready to stop. It’s short, light, fast, and playful – just like I want rimfire rifles to be.

Why Is The Hammerli Force B1 Unique?

Hammerli’s pitch for this rifle is two-fold.

The toggle-style action is very uncommon and lots of fun. It’s effective, fast, and great for starting conversations at the range.

The collar that holds the Force B1’s barrel in place works just like the chuck on a compressed air line. Pull it back, pop the barrel out, slide the new one in, and you’re done.

According to Hammerli, a heavy-profile .22 LR match barrel and a .22 WMR barrel are on the way. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a .17 HMR option, too.

By the Numbers

Ergonomics: 4/5

The adjustable stock lets you change the comb height and length of pull without tools. It’s not as versatile as a competition stock or chassis, but it’s better than a fixed stock. The vertical grip is another selling point. This orientation aligns rearward pressure from your shooting hand with the trigger pull, which should keep you on target better than a conventional stock.

Accuracy: 3/5

The Force B1 is serviceable but not remarkable when it comes to accuracy. Remember that round-nosed .22 LR ammo isn’t exactly a laser beam, either.

Reliability: 5/5

I experienced no malfunctions with the Force B1. Just be sure to lock the bolt all the way forward because it’s a little stiff at first.

Customization: 3/5

The Force B1 is compatible with Ruger 10/22 magazines and Ruger 10/22 triggers. That opens up a healthy aftermarket to play with. The integrated Picatinny rail and M-LOK slots make it easy to add other accessories. When Hammerli releases more barrels, this rifle will be even more exciting.

Value: 5/5

The Hammerli Force B1 has an MSRP of $649. Street prices are less than $600. That’s a good value proposition for a rifle that checks so many boxes. Extra barrels should cost less than $200 when they’re available. You’ll essentially be able to buy two rifles for less than $800 or three for less than $1,000. The more you buy, the cheaper they are. Gun math.

Overall: 4/5

This is a fun little rifle that makes you wonder where all your ammo went.

Upgrades & Accessories for the Hammerli Force B1

The Force B1 is ready to rock as soon as you slap an optic on it (there are no iron sights). The only upgrade I’d recommend is a more refined trigger if you’re committed to maximizing performance. You should absolutely invest in some accessories, though.

I tested the Force B1 with a Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18×44 FFP, but that ended up being kind of silly, given the rifle’s degree of accuracy and the cost of nice glass. An entry-level scope with a duplex reticle will work just fine. So will a red dot.

The Holosun 510C also worked well if you want to add a red dot instead of a full-on riflescope.

I’ve already made the case for suppressors, and you can score a SilencerCo Sparrow if you time the sales right. Don’t forget to stock up on subsonic ammo, too.

If you have a few bucks leftover, pick up an M-LOK bipod. Again, you don’t need anything fancy.

Why You Should Trust Pew Pew Tactical

At the helm of this article is Pew Pew Tactical contributor and freelance editor Scott Murdock, who got his start shooting in the Marine Corps. In addition to qualifying on rifle and pistol and training with crew-served weapons, Scott competed in the Western Division Matches intra-service shooting competition. Since then, he’s expanded his knowledge with training that includes courses at AMTAC Shooting, Full Spectrum Warrior, and Vortex Edge. Before joining Pew Pew Tactical, Scott reviewed guns, gear, and vehicles for a wide range of publications.

Editing this article is Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings. With a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, NSSF, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Jacki runs our experienced team of expert writers and editors. She has worked as a media professional for over 20 years and has specialized in gun media for almost 10 years, authoring 2,000+ articles and editing two books. As Editor-in-Chief at Pew Pew Tactical, she uses her expertise to set testing protocols and editorial standards across the site.

Final Verdict on the Hammerli Force B1

In a saturated market, the Hammerli Force B1 stands out. It’s a great way to experience rimfire fun without revisiting the usual bolt-action, lever-action, or semi-automatic rifles.

It’s a customizable platform that’s only going to get better. Once Hammerli makes more barrels available, it’s going to be hard to justify not buying one of these.

What are your thoughts on the Hammerli Force B1? Let us know in the comments section below! Like these types of firearms? Be sure to check out the Best .22LR AR-15 Rifles!