Many of us in airsoft who are into shooter video games have encountered a Gauss rifle in famous video games such as the Crysis and STALKER series. Now here is the chance to be able to own and fire one as Arcflash Labs are taking pre-orders for the their GR-1 "Anvil" Gauss Rifle, if you are based in the U.S.

The GR-1, which the company claims to be the first handheld Gauss Rifle to be commercialized in the world, is an 8-stage semi-auto, high voltage, Gauss Rifle or coilgun developed by the founders of Arcflash labs David Wirth and Jason Murray, who are Aerospace Engineers and former US Air Force officers. They are experts in pulsed power supply development with 20 years of combined experience and established the company in 2017.

According to the company, this is probably the most powerful coilgun to be made available in the civilian market:

• The GR-1 is capable of accelerating any ferromagnetic projectile (under 1/2″ in diameter) to 200+ fps, and can deliver up to 75 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
• The GR-1 uses the world’s most advanced capacitor charging system, a dual Clamped Quasi-Resonant Inverter, which allows the GR-1 to fire up to 20 rounds per minute (at full power) or up to 100 rounds per minute at 50% power.
• The GR-1 is capable of accepting 3 different standard projectile lengths (32 mm, 42 mm, and 52 mm) with a unique variable magazine system.

If you think that the GR-1 is a handheld railgun, it is similar but different way of firing a projectile. A rail gun, as its name implies, has rails within the barrel that use high amperage over a low resistive conductive projectile. The GR-1 being a coilgun uses a coil or coils as electromagnets to drive a projectile through the barrel.

The photos and video show that the Arcflash GR-1 is a hefty rifle to carry. It is 38” long, weighs weighs 20 pounds (9kg) with the barrel length at 26”.  The 6S Lipoly battery can give 40+ shots on a single charge. The armature has a capacity of 10 round magazines with a rate of fire of up to 100 rounds per minute.

The GR-1 is an alpha production version which will require a signed liability waiver before it is shipped. The pre-order discount is $3,375.00 and the regular retail price will be $3,750.00. Package contains the GR-1, a battery pack and carrying case while the charger and ammo are to be bought separately.

According to company, they are not going to be RESPONSIBLE for damage to the unit or personal injury caused by firing non-OEM armatures so purchasers will have to purchase the armatures from them.

An interesting, but still expensive concept, will it be the basis of a future weapon system? Only time will tell.