Bishop Ammunition & Firearms AR45 TC, a quintessentially American Pistol Caliber Carbine

The Bishop Ammunition & Firearms AR45TC, also known as the "Tabatha", was designed, engineered and manufactured in Pocatello, Idaho. With its 16" (40.6 cm) stainless steel EV-5 barrel and carbine-style stock, it is referred to by its manufacturer as a sub-rifle, shorter than a standard AR-15 but longer than a PCC (pistol caliber carbine), designed to offer a perfect balance between the "old reliable" .45 ACP cartridge and the AR platform. The .45 ACP cartridge, time-tested and much loved in the USA (where there are many specific loads available for defensive use) makes it an excellent gun for home defence. The AR45 TC features a reliable blowback system controlled by a trigger assembly manufactured by Bowden, another company specialising in this type of component.

Bishop Ammunition & Firearms guarantees a level of accuracy capable of producing groupings with a diameter of 2.5 cm or less at a distance of 50 meters, using match ammunition with a 230-grain bullet. The receiver is machined from aluminum billets and the upper has a non-reciprocating side charging lever manufactured by American specialist Gibbz. On the top of the receiver is a Picatinny rail for mounting a conventional optic or a red dot sight. The upper section of the handguard is open to keep the weight down, and only gets back to full at the front end, where a short Picatinny rail allows for the attachment of a flip-up type front sight. The lower section of the forend features M-Lok accessory interfaces and an additional multi-layer wood grip that is very reminiscent of the famous Thompson submachine gun, colloquially known as the "Tommy Gun". The five-port muzzle brake also reminds that of the Tommy Gun.

The AR45 TC semi-automatic in .45 ACP with walnut stock and vintage AR-15 style metal sights. Note the  Tommy Gun style  muzzle brake and  forend grip.

Thanks to the use of standard Glock magazines, this rifle is a perfect match for the Austrian handgun, allowing the same ammunition and magazines to be used for both rifle and pistol, another typically American concept. The Bishop AR45 TC is also available in 9mm Luger, .40 Smith & Wesson and 10mm Auto, with a Cerakote ceramic finish and any colour laminated wood or walnut stock, priced in the USA at $1,900.

This article is also available in this language: