.223 Wylde - Athlon Outdoors

Introducing the DGN556B Dragon muzzle brake from LANTAC USA LLC.
Machined from ultra hard military spec stainless steel and finished with a QPQ Nitride corrosion resistant surface treatment, the Dragon manages recoil and muzzle climb like no other brake.
Our unique Patent Pending design harnesses blast gas and utilizes it in the most efficient way possible.
Our Short, Energy, Pulse (SEP) system allows the shooter to instantly recover between shots meaning that knock back from muzzle recoil is completely eliminated.
Ultra Fast Attenuation of blast gas also means that the break has less overpressure and is quieter to run too. Its forward flash signature is also reduced as compared to standard two port brakes.
Super fast semi auto fire is possible with no muzzle movement and full auto fire is tamed so that all shots fall on target.
This video features one of our select fire rifles the LANTAC LA-M4 with a 13” 1:7 Twist martensistic steel barrel.
Carbine Length Gas, Direct Impingement.
Ammunition used was GGG 62Gr 556X45mm.
The rifle is chambered .223 Wylde.
The shooter is deliberately holding the rifle in a standard and weaker position to modern shooting styles, so that no pressure is being exerted on the top of the handguard rail to fight muzzle climb.
The brake is having to do all the work here.
Full spec of all the equipment shown:
LANTAC Battle Raven LA-M4 Select Fire Rifle.
Magpul 30Rnd PMAG
Magpul CTR Stock & Enhanced .070” Pad
Magpul ASAP Plate
Magpul MS3 Sling
Magpul MOE+ Grip
BCM Gunfighter MOD3 Charging Handle
Daniel Defense 10” Lite Rail Handguard
Troy Industries Front & Rear Folding Battle Sights
Elcan 1-4X DR Specter Scope.
Surefire RAID, M720V Weaponlight
LANTAC DGN556B Dragon Muzzle Brake

Muzzle Brake and Rifle System are all pre treated with Froglube CLP.
This is the only cleaner and lubricant we recommend and use ourselves.

See more at www.lantac-usa.com.

The post LANTAC DGN556B Dragon Muzzle Brake Promo – VIDEO appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Once a curiosity, the hybrid species known as the megapistol is becoming something of a staple in the collections of serious firearms enthusiasts. And it’s no wonder: Big, accurate and powerful, megapistols offer everyday handgunners SBR-style handling and firepower without the requisite hassle of one’s having to acquire a Class 3 ATF license.

While perhaps not as “practical” as a standard-sized pistol, especially if the idea is to carry concealed, a megapistol is unquestionably a serious home defender (if you like .45 ACP combat round, try .223 Remington). And with Sig Sauer’s introduction of the SB15 Pistol Brace (see our writeup of the Sig P516), megapistols are no longer quite so cumbersome to handle.

No, don’t ditch your standard-sized handgun; but, do consider giving at least one of the seven super-cool megapistols outlined ahead a serious look. Because, whatever else a megapistol might be, it is, without a doubt, a fun kind of gun to shoot.

CzechPoint SA Vz. 58 5.56mm

The CzechPoint SA Vz. 58 looks a great deal like an AK-47, but a look under the hood reveals important differences. Never wholly in agreement with their Moscow overlords, the Czechs took several liberties when designing and manufacturing their version of the Warsaw Pact’s standard-issue battle rifle, installing a two-piece gas piston/bolt carrier group whose bolt locks into battery via a camming block (rather than an AK’s locking lugs), and swapping out the AK’s hammer-and-firing-pin fire-control system with a striker. The result was a gun not necessarily more efficient or reliable than an AK-47 (which is perhaps the most reliable rifle ever designed), but one with a distinctly nationalized stamp—a beacon of independent thinking in a grim, totalitarian world.

With the SA Vz. 58 5.56mm, CzechPoint offers shooters a near exact facsimile of the Czechoslovakian battle, save for the fact that it’s chambered in 5.56mm (rather than 7.62mm), is semi-automatic, has a 12-inch barrel (rather than 16) and is shorn of a buttstock. Offering users 30+1 rounds of rifle-caliber firepower in pistol configuration, the SA Vz. 58, Combat Handguns reviewer Doug Larson writes, “is much easier to carry than a rifle or carbine, has more firepower than a pistol-caliber handgun and is more maneuverable than a long gun.”

It’s also highly accurate, delivering in Larson’s hands groups measuring 0.43 inches center to center from 25 yards. And like its AK-based forebears, it’s highly reliable, never once failing to feed during the entirety of Larson’s several-hundred-round range test.

To read everything Larson has to say about this unique, and uniquely powerful, AK-based pistol, pick up the May 2013 issue of Combat Handguns magazine.

For more on the CzechPoint SA Vz. 58, please visit CzechPoint-usa.com.

Diamondback DB15 5.56mm

The post Megapistols: 7 Big Firearms in Small Packages appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Seekins Precision first came to my attention with its 300 Blackout upper. Ernie Bray at Red Creek Tactical spoke very highly of the upper’s quality and design. Testing proved just how correct he was.

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Seekins has some of the nicest looking and crafted billet parts on the market. So when the opportunity to test a complete Seekins rifle presented itself, I jumped on it. The CBRV1 has a .223 Wylde chamber, and I wanted to see if the quality aesthetics translated to superior performance and accuracy on the range.

.223 Wylde

Bill Wylde is a well-known gunsmith and long-time NRA rifle competitor. He remains one of the premier precision AR-platform rifle-builders. He was at the fore of the development of the AR match rifle. In the 1980s, AR-platform rifles in 5.56mm NATO began to appear far more often in NRA rifle competition championships. As our armed forces’ primary rifle, it slowly replaced the 7.62mm M1A. The 5.56mm AR uses less-costly ammunition and is much easier for younger shooters to use and, in many cases, for competitors to shoot accurately. At closer ranges, the gun has some advantages—it was not initially intended for 600-yard ranges, as 5.56mm match ammunition had yet to be developed with real consistency. In order to get the best possible accuracy, Bill Wylde developed a reamer for a match-specific chamber in 1984 that currently bears his name, the .223 Wylde.

“The CBR was built for the demanding requirements of law enforcement and the military.”

The .223 Wylde chamber is an adaptation of a NATO reamer that was modified in the throat and chamber neck. The free bore, the area just in front of the chamber with no rifling, was narrowed to 0.224 inches. Chambers built to shoot any ammunition on the battlefield tend to be generous, and since the chamber guides the bullet into the rifling, narrowing a military chamber can increase accuracy. In the .223 Wylde, the throat angle and length were changed to accept longer match-grade bullets. Note that bullets designed for accuracy at range tend to be longer, and seating them out further allows for increased case capacity. Although this may require a magazine designed to accept longer bullets, doing so can significantly increase accuracy at longer ranges.

Although several similar chambers are available, the .223 Wylde is fast becoming the most popular. Given its ability to shoot 77-grain OTM bullets as well as other heavier rounds, it’s no wonder. The first rifle I used with this chamber was regularly putting five rounds of 77-grain OTM into 0.4-inch groups at 100 yards. Using Federal’s 69-grain Match ammo yielded similar accuracy. With the proper barrel twist rate, it maintains solid accuracy with lighter bullets, and that makes it an excellent chamber for patrol rifles and DMRs when you consider the prevalence of Speer’s 55- and 62-grain Gold Dot or Hornady’s 60-grain TAP rounds in the police world. The .223 Wylde is incredibly versatile and popular, and many manufacturers these days make a model with this chamber. The CBRV1 from Seekins is an excellent example.

Gun Details

The CBRV1 was built for the demanding requirements of law enforcement and the military. Utilizing the latest in Seekins parts, it is designed to be accurate, reliable and suitable for most any deployment. Seekins starts with its SP223 billet lower receiver, which is easily one of the best built on the market. Designed from the ground up for tactical shooters, it encompasses a number of features. CNC-machined from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum, the SP223 lower is incredibly strong. The oversized winter triggerguard leaves plenty of room for gloved hands, while the Ergo grip is comfortable and solid. The lower is also ambidextrous, so the bolt release and safety selector are easy to access on both sides. The safety selector is a BAD unit with short-throw levers. The magazine well’s unique design provides for fast reloads, and it accepts several magazine types, including Magpul PMAGs and SureFire 60/100-round magazines. The lower is Type III hardcoat anodized for protection from the elements.

Seekins equips the CBRV1 with an ACT trigger from ALG Defense, which retains the feel of a mil-spec trigger without the usual grit and pull weight. With a trigger weight of 5 pounds, it stays within many department policies yet remains smooth and predictable. Magpul’s MOE stock with an H-buffer and spring complete the lower.

My test rifle’s billet-crafted upper receiver featured a BAR quad-rail measuring 10 inches in length and leaving half of the gas block exposed. Current-production CBRV1 rifles come with 12-inch handguards that cover the gas block completely. Each rail is nicely sculpted with no sharp edges. Maintaining a slim overall design, the rail’s 1.8-inch inside diameter allows most suppressors to fit inside. The BAR features anti-rotation tabs to keep everything in place. The seamless top rail allows for the addition of optics or red-dot sights, and the quad-rail’s free-floating design uses a standard barrel wrench and a billet aluminum barrel nut. An adjustable gas block is attached to the 16-inch stainless barrel, which has a 1-in-8-inch twist rate. A standard A2 flash suppressor was supplied, but the CBRV1 will accept any standard 5.56mm unit. As mentinoed, the rifle has a .223 Wylde chamber along with M4 feed ramps. The gas tube and mil-spec M16 bolt group are both coated in Melonite. A BCM Gunfighter Mod 3 charging handle completes the bolt group.

Given the accuracy potential of this rifle, I attached a Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x24mm SMRS scope using a one-piece Yankee Hill Machine mount. This scope features incredibly clear glass and a reticle designed for tactical operations. The BTR-1 reticle provides bull-drop compensating (BDC) marks for the 5.56mm round out to 600 yards. A large horseshoe encompasses a dot in the center for aiming on the move—both the horseshoe and dot are illuminated. Windage and elevation are graduated in 0.1 mils, and the illumination dial has two night-vision settings and nine regular settings. In between each position and setting is an off position, allowing for one-click operation.

For backup iron sights I installed a set of Dueck Defense’s Rapid Transition Sights (RTS) . Machined from 7075 bar stock, they are strong, simple and offset 45 degrees to work around a mounted optic. They’re very low profile and are graduated in 0.5-MOA increments for both windage and elevation. The sights maintain the same bore height as standard sights, and the system as a whole provides a no-nonsense backup sighting system for optics-equipped rifles, without the worry of batteries or screens.

Range Time

I fed the CBRV1 a diet of ammunition most often seen in law enforcement today. I also made every attempt to keep the tests as close to realistic as possible. My deployment round is the 60-grain Hornady TAP, so that was the first I tested. Fired from various positions at 50 yards and in, the rifle was as incredibly accurate. The scope leant itself well to this test. For a perimeter position or traffic stop, this rifle qualifies as very accurate with 60-grain bullets. The Speer 64-grain Gold Dot load was equally as accu-rate at realistic police ranges. When it came to the 55-grain bullets, although they were plenty accurate, there was a noticeable difference. With its .223 Wylde chamber and 1-in-8-inch twist rate, the rifle seemed to really like the bigger bullets.

With the 75-grain and larger rounds, this rifle really shined. The Hornady 75-grain TAP BTHP produced the best group, measuring just 0.6 inches. All these groups were fired from prone using a bag for a rest. The trigger is great for a standard feel but would not be my first choice for accuracy, as my preference is for a two-stage trigger. Accordingly, the accuracy testing was probably affected by this a bit. Still, the results were pretty solid for a 16-inch-barreled AR. All of the heavier rounds created groups measuring less than 0.75 inches, with everything else grouping into 1.5 inches or less at 100 yards. Shooting steel out to 400 yards, it was easy to make consistent hits. The adjustable gas block means this rifle can be tuned to the ammunition you use. Moving from the practice ammunition to the Hornady Superformance was noticeable. This platform lends itself to a tuned gas port, a nice touch. With time and tuning, my guess is that you could make this rifle shoot pretty much any match-grade ammunition well.

The .223 Wylde may be a match chamber, but it works flawlessly—there were no malfunctions or failures to feed or fire. To test the magazine well, I used several magazines. All of them fit, including my SureFire 60- and 100-round mags. All of the mil-spec aluminum magazines worked great, as did my PMAGs. For accuracy and deployment from prone, I used a 20-round PMAG to great effect.

The CBRV1’s 16-inch barrel is handy and probably the best overall length for patrol use. Within quality ammunition, the weapon will provide all you need for realistic deployments. It makes for a very handy patrol rifle, fitting in and around vehicles with ease.

Final Notes

The CBRV1, with its .223 Wylde chamber, is more than accurate enough for any LEO at typical deployment distances. With the appropriate optics, the CBRVI could easily function as a DMR; loaded with anything else, it is just plain accurate and reliable. The features Seekins has packed into this rifle are nice, especially the ambidextrous controls. The billet parts are strong, lightweight and look really nice. Everything else is geared toward the serious operator, making the CBRV1 an excellent patrol rifle.

For more information, call 208-743-3400 or visit seekinsprecision.com.

The post Seekins Precision’s CBRV1 Is .223 Wylde at Its Finest appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

There are times when extreme accuracy and the ability for rapid follow-up shots are the most important criteria in selecting a rifle. Those were the primary objectives the engineers at Wilson Combat were working toward when they designed the SS-15 Super Sniper – and the result far exceeded our expectations.

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The company has now release a shorter, handier version – the Urban Super Sniper – which has the same impressive accuracy in a more portable package better suited for the practical or tactical shooter.

The Urban Super Sniper is 18 inches long and features a 1-in-8 twist, medium heavy-weight, fluted, stainless steel premium match-grade barrel – optimized for accuracy with a .223 Wylde chamber and precision target crown.

The barrel twist is suited for longer, heavier bullets frequently used for longer range shooting. The medium/heavy barrel profile we developed for this model shaves more than 20 ounces of weight off the standard Super Sniper barrel.

The Urban Super Sniper has a base price of $2,225.

For more information on the Urban Super Sniper and other products from Wilson Combat, please visit WilsonCombat.com.

The post New For 2015: Wilson Combat’s Urban Super Sniper appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Del-Ton has built an AR-platform rifle designed specifically for dominating 3-Gun compteitions—the Sierra 3G. First off, the rifle has a .223 Wylde chamber, which helps it handle both .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO ammunition better for enhanced accuracy and precision. Del-Ton outfits the rifle with a 16-inch barrel with a 1-in-8-inch twist rate and a custom muzzle brake that was designed specifically for this rifle in-house by Del-Ton. The rifle also utilizes a mid-length gas system for softer recoil and smoother shooting.

Surrounding the barrel and gas system is a Samson Evolution free-floating handguard with a long top Picatinny rail for mounting sights and optics and KeyMod slots for attaching accessories in the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. This longer handguard is perfect for 3-Gun and Multi-Gun competitors who tend to grip the forend farther forward, which helps reduce muzzle rise. This handguard also works very well when braced against barricades.

The lower receiver is equipped with a single-stage, match-grade CMC trigger for the ultimate in precision and repeatability, an Ergo ambidextrous pistol grip that is comfortable and offers another level of control to the rifle, and a Magpul CTR buttstock that is stable and durable. It comes with one 30-round Magpul PMAG.

For more information, visit http://www.del-ton.com or call 910-645-2172.

The post New For 2015: Del-Ton Sierra 3G Match King appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Partnerships. Like any relationship, they can run the spectrum from downright awful to great. The best ones create something known as synergy, when the final outcome results in something that, when taken as a whole, produces an enhanced effect that is greater than what the sum total of the individuals would be.

RELATED STORY: Affordable & Effective: 16 AR-15 Rifles For Under $1,000

Synergy was the operative factor that contributed to a recently built AR-15, a one-of-a-kind gun with a standout visual appearance, as well as second-to-none componentry. What makes this gun unique is how it went from inception to completion. The idea was to build the rifle using parts made by Idaho manufacturers, many known internationally for their fine craftsmanship. Idaho is nicknamed “The Gem State” because of its natural resources and scenic areas. Its mountains contain veins of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper and more; its quarries produce precious stones such as jasper, opal and topaz. Among all this wealth of gems and minerals, one gem stands alone as a rare thing of beauty and strength: the star garnet, Idaho’s state gem. Like the star garnet, the star of this spotlight is truly a rare and unique creation.

In today’s gun market, there are many variations of the AR-15, but they often look very similar. So, when the team at MCM Firearms in Nampa, Idaho, came up with the idea of a unique build, they decided to engage and showcase other Idaho-based companies—companies that share the same pride in quality craftsmanship that is a hallmark of every product MCM puts out. Professional relationships having already been forged with these companies, so obtaining their buy-in on a project like this was an easy sell. Work soon began towards the build of what the editors of Tactical Weapons magazine affectionately call the “Idaho Liberty Belle Rifle.”

Crystallizing

Because weight is a perennial concern when building a rifle like the AR-15, on this build the team at MCM Firearms started with the 2A Armament BALIOS-Lite billet upper and lower receivers. Features include a flared magazine well and an integrated and lightened triggerguard. They also used the T3 titanium compensator and titanium gas block from 2A Armament. The titanium gas block is 40-percent lighter than standard steel gas blocks. The 16.1-inch-long ODIN Works Ultra-lite barrel is chambered in .223 Wylde with 1-in-8-inch-twist button rifling. The barrel is made from 416R stainless steel, and it’s slim and lightweight at 1.41 pounds. Covering the mid-length gas system is a 12.5-inch KMod free-floating forend. ODIN Works also provided the XMR (extended magazine release) and CMC flat, 3.5-pound trigger.

“To be able to showcase this project—with everything it stands for and everyone involved—was a rare honor for the team at Mcm Firearms.”

The rifle features an enhanced buffer tube from Primary Weapons Systems (PWS). This tube has quick-detach (QD) attachments machined directly into the aluminum, which maximizes durability and minimizes weight. The rifle also features an enhanced bolt catch from Seekins Precision, which makes it easier to manipulate the bolt. For smoother operation, the Bravo Company Manufacturing (a Wisconsin company, but we had to go with the best in the business for that part) Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle was used for this build. The ambidextrous safety selector comes from CMMG (a top-notch company out of Missouri). To keep a clean look, the team at MCM Firearms chose a Magpul MOE carbine stock and as well as an MOE grip.

When the time came to select optics, Gemtech supplied the 1.25-4x20mm VX-R Patrol scope from Leupold. The scope features the FireDot special-purpose reticle. A 30mm cantilever mount with a 2-inch offset from Vortex allows for correct eye relief and head placement on the AR-15 platform. To quiet things down, the rifle can be equipped with the TREK-T suppressor, again from Gemtech. The TREK-T is made of titanium, weighs in at 10.3 ounces and has a sound reduction of 29 decibels.

At this point the rifle was clearly an exclusive build. The last step was to design and apply a custom Cerakote job. To give the rifle the appearance of a timeworn document, Kryptek’s Nomad pattern was the obvious choice for the buttstock and suppressor. The goal was twofold: to pay tribute to some key historical figures who had established the freedoms of this country, and to feature some lasting patriotic images. Thus, the receivers feature Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die,” an image of the Liberty Bell, Paul Revere on horseback and the Culpeper Minutemen banner. The forend bears the insignias “1776” and “Liberty or Death,” and the Magpul PMAG showcases the signatures of John Hancock, Ben Franklin and John Adams from the Declaration of Independence. Finally, as a memorial to the gun’s home state, the year Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd state—1890—is Cerakoted onto the back of the charging handle.

To The STATE Capitol

Job done. Well, not quite. Team MCM wanted to capture, through the camera lens, the spirit of this exclusive gun. It was the consensus that Idaho’s State Capitol Building in Boise offered the best backdrop, in keeping with the themes of patriotism and where the rifle was built. But, in order to accomplish this, the team soon realized that they would have to gain the cooperation of several layers of law enforcement. Their first contact proved to be the lynchpin; the Idaho State Police (ISP) came through to coordinate capitol grounds security personnel and Boise Police Department officers in obtaining approval and security to schedule a photo shoot on the steps of Idaho’s State Capitol Building. The “all clear” assured there would be no SWAT teams dropping out of the sky into the middle of the photo shoot! To the contrary, literally everyone involved in making the photo shoot safe and legal had the same reaction to the project: “What an awesome idea!”

From the steps of the capitol, the MCM team had double the fun: posing the gun for the photo shoot and acknowledging passing motorists who honked and waved their approval in the capital city of this open-carry state.

Now it was time to test the rifle. It was a typical winter’s day in Idaho with rain and snow, 30-degree temperatures and a 10-mph breeze. Team MCM tested the rifle with Black Hills’ 77-grain Open-Tip Match ammunition, and the results exceeded all expectations.

The Idaho Rifle has been well received by the firearms community. Recently, ODIN Works displayed it as a featured gun in its booth at a 2015 gun show in Las Vegas, where it garnered a fair amount of attention. Now privately owned by MCM Firearms, it’s on display at the company’s headquarters in Nampa, Idaho. All companies involved with the build have access to the rifle for social media and marketing purposes.

This project reinforces why living in Idaho is such a privilege. To be able to showcase this project—with everything it stands for and everyone involved—was a rare honor for the team at MCM Firearms. We stand proudly beside our other Idaho-based partners as we present the AR-platform Idaho Rifle.

RELATED STORY: Top 20 Next-Gen Piston-Driven ARs

For More Information

2A Armament: 2a-arms.com; 208-344-5465
CMC triggers: cmctriggers.com; 817-563-6611
Gemtech: gem-tech.com; 208-939-7222
Kyrptek Outdoor Group: kryptek.com
MCM Firearms: mcmfirearms.com; 208-284-4883
ODIN Works: odinworks.com; 208-906-1405
Primary Weapons Systems: primaryweapons.com; 208-344-5217
Seekins Precision: seekinsprecision.com; 208-743-3400

The post Idaho Liberty Belle Rifle: .223 Wylde Brings State Together appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

When Cobalt Kinetics builds a rifle, the finished product is always a well-oiled machine.

The company’s B.A.M.F. EDGE Brazed is the next stage in the evolution of its breakthrough AR platform.

RELATED STORY: Handle It: 14 Elite AR-15 Charging Handles

Chambered in .223 Wylde, the B.A.M.F. EDGE features an ambidextrous charging handle, dual drop bolt release, 45-degree safety selector and magazine release.

The B.A.M.F. EDGE features a 16-inch Chrome Line Mid-Length standard profile barrel.

The upper and lower receivers are made from precision machined 7075 Billet-Aluminum. They have the following features:

Custom Mated Pairs
Beveled Mag Well
Detachable Trigger Guard
Nickel Boron BCG
Threaded Pins
Optimized Ergonomics

Precision Machined from 7075 Billet -Aluminum the hand guard is both free floating and M-Lok compatible.

RELATED STORY: 8 Law Enforcement-Ready AR-15 Rifles Under $1,000

Other features of the B.A.M.F. EDGE include:

Muzzle Device: Cobalt Compensator
Grip: Hogue Overmolded Grip
Tigger: High Performance Trigger
Butt-Stock: Cobalt Kinetics Rifle Stock
Gas System: Mid-Length; Adjustable Low-Profile Block

The B.A.M.F. EDGE retails for $2,785.35 and is available now.

For more information on the B.A.M.F. EDGE and other products from Cobalt Kinetics, please visit CobaltKinetics.com.

The post New For 2015: Cobalt Kinetics’ B.A.M.F. EDGE Brazed .223 AR Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

One of the charms of the AR-15 is its ability to deliver accurate rounds from a lightweight platform. Yet, as the years have gone on, there has seemingly been a trend toward heavier AR-15 rifles. Quad-rail systems replaced the original handguards, and with them came lights, lasers, foregrips and every other conceivable bit of supposedly tactical gear.

RELATED STORY: Midwest Industries Tavor KeyMod Handguard

Fortunately, Midwest Industries recognizes the allure and practicality of a lightweight rifle. The 16-inch-barreled Mid-Length Lightweight M-LOK rifle is designed from the ground up to provide great performance without weighing the officer down with extra pounds.

Gun Details

In an age where it seems every AR has been tricked out with all kinds of gear, it is refreshing to pick up a gun designed to be light. Midwest Industries did its homework on this one, making it look good and weigh less than 6 pounds. Just picking it up, I knew it was a lot lighter than any of the other AR-15 rifles I’ve tested recently. Tossing this on my scale, I measured the weight right at 5.8 pounds before adding a loaded magazine.

Any officer who has sat on a perimeter position can tell you that after the first few minutes, a long gun can become surprisingly heavy. The longer you hold a position, the more you question the wisdom of every piece of gear and every length of rail that is adding ounces and pounds to the weapon. That is where the Midwest Industries rifle shines. Nothing has been added that is not needed.

Take the handguard, for instance. The rifle has the company’s own 12-inch Lightweight M-LOK handguard, which shaves off excess weight by eliminating bulky Picatinny rails. Instead, the handguard uses the more streamlined Magpul M-LOK system. M-LOK-compatible accessories can be added directly to the gun without the need for an intermediary rail. If you do need a Picatinny rail, you can add one that is the precise length desired instead of a full-length rail that is mostly unused. This helps keep the handguard thin and light. The handguard does have a short length of Picatinny rail over the low-profile gas block in the 12 o’clock position, since this is where a front sight will be added.

The weight reduction benefit of the M-LOK handguard is obvious, but all of the open slots also allow the barrel to cool more quickly due to the exceptional airflow around it. If you are concerned that the handguard may heat up while shooting, don’t be. I did not find this to be an issue at all. Throughout my testing of the gun, I did not experience any unpleasant rise in handguard temperature.

The top of the upper receiver has a long Picatinny rail for the addition of a rear sight, an optic or both. For this review, I mounted a 1.5-4x20mm Leupold Mark AR scope to the rifle using a Leupold mount.

The 16-inch barrel is chrome lined and has a lightweight profile for reduced weight. The standard rifle is equipped with an A2-type flash suppressor. My test model was upgraded with the company’s own AR-15 Flash Suppressor Impact Device. This muzzle device acts as both a flash suppressor and recoil reducer. Teeth on the front edge of the device can serve as an improvised impact weapon. The device is made of tool steel and has a Melonite finish. I liked the look and performance of this device and suggest you take a look at it as an upgrade to your rifle.

Midwest Industries equipped this gun with a .223 Wylde chamber. The .223 Wylde is a hybrid chamber that bridges the differences between .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO ammunition. Developed by Bill Wylde, the chambers allow for the safe firing of either kind of ammunition in the gun. Many people prefer the .223 Wylde chamber to standard .223 or 5.56mm chambers due to its improved accuracy characteristics. Relatively few AR manufacturers opt for the .223 Wylde chamber, however, and it is nice to see Midwest Industries delivering it with this rifle.

Continuing its use of high-quality components, Midwest Industries added a CTR stock from Magpul on this rifle. This stock is adjustable for length of pull and has a locking latch to prevent accidental activations of the adjustment lever. A QD attachment point for a sling is on both sides of the stock. The handguard also has a pair QD attachment points on both the right and left sides. I’ve found the CTR stock to be an excellent performer in the past, and it met my expectations on this rifle as well.

Matching the stock is a Magpul MOE pistol grip. This grip has a rough texture on the sides to improve the shooter’s ability to hold onto the gun in all kinds of conditions. The grip is hollow with a removable end cap. Magpul sells a number of inserts for these grips that allow you to store things such as batteries for a mounted red-dot sight. I’ve never used this storage compartment, but it is there if you need it.

Both the upper and lower receivers are forged from 7075-T6 aluminum that is then hardcoat anodized matte black. Throughout my testing of this gun, the finish held
up exceptionally well. Even the shell deflector was unmarked after firing hundreds of rounds. My test rifle was all black, but the rifles can be ordered with Flat Dark Earth furniture as well. These rifles are backed by the company’s lifetime warranty.

Range Time

I took the Mid-Length Lightweight M-LOK rifle with me to an informal event hosted in a beautiful area east of Cleveland, Ohio. The range was exceptional, and we had a bright, sunny day for shooting. In addition to me, three others had an opportunity to shoot this rifle, including a pair of instructors and a SWAT sniper.

To keep the rifle fed, I had a trunkload of ammunition: hundreds of Remington 55-grain FMJ rounds plus a slew of premium loads from Hornady, Federal, Liberty Ammunition and others. In addition to the magazine provided with the gun, I also had a stack of 30-round magazines from Mapgpul, ASC, Brownells and Troy Industries on hand for testing.

The rifle’s groupings were good. With a surprisingly strong variable crosswind on the 100-yard range, we managed groups of 1.75 to 2.75 inches with the Leupold scope on 4x magnification. The 55-grain Hornady TAP Urban ammunition turned in the best groups, consistently clustering into 2 inches or less. With calm winds, I would expect to get groups closer to 1 inch with this load.

If you are not familiar with the TAP Urban load, it is designed to cause significant wound cavities while reducing the likelihood of overpenetration. According to Hornady, this load is a good choice when “collateral risk is high.” The load I had at the range used a 55-grain, polymer-tipped bullet, but a 60-grain version is also available.

Recoil is not generally an issue with an AR-15 rifle. With a sub-6-pound rifle, some shooters might be concerned that felt recoil would be unreasonable. Let me assure you that recoil is not a problem with this gun. Even the hottest 5.56mm NATO ammunition did not cause any concerns for the shooters on hand. Properly trained officers will not have any problems shooting this gun, and they will be thankful it is so light the first time they pull it out on a call.

The rifle also performed reliably on the range. With all of the different magazines, it cycled normally without any signs of problems. Magazines inserted and dropped free as one would expect. Some might describe it as boringly reliable—I call it a quality build.

Final Notes

I like this rifle a lot. Like other shooters, I have my share of AR-15 rifles, some with lots of rails and gadgets hanging off of them. But over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate the characteristics of a lightweight rifle that balances well and is easy to carry. Midwest Industries loaded this gun up with plenty of quality parts but remained keenly focused on keeping things light and reliable. It is clear that the company succeeded.

RELATED STORY: Affordable & Effective: 16 AR-15 Rifles For Under $1,000

This rifle performed exceptionally well. It ran reliably with a wide assortment of ammunition fed from a variety of magazines. With a relatively low-power scope on a windy day, its accuracy was still good.

I’ve been a fan of Midwest Industries’ parts and accessories for a number of years, and I am happy to say that this rifle impresses me. At $1,200, this rifle is reasonably priced for the build quality and level of performance you can expect. It deserves your consideration when you are in the market for another AR, and I give it an unqualified recommendation.

For more information, visit midwestindustriesinc.com or call 262-896-6780.

The post Gun Test: Midwest Industries’ M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

At a time when reducing a carbine’s weight has seemingly become an even more popular pastime than refining it for consistent pinpoint accuracy, AXTS Weapons Systems boldly takes a different approach. The company’s MI-T556 weighs in at 7 pounds unloaded, which flies in the face of the Paleo diets of many current AR-15s, which are pushing 6 pounds or less—and to our surprise, we love every extra ounce of it.

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AXTS Weapons Systems is based in Salem, Oregon, and it burst onto the AR-15 scene several years ago by making shooters everywhere do double takes with some very innovative and well-engineered products. That’s no small task considering all the white noise cluttering an ultra-competitive AR-15 market, but components such as AXTS’ ambidextrous Raptor charging handle and fully ambidextrous AX556 A-DAC lower receivers were perfect examples of purpose-built utility and well-executed refinement. One quick look at the company’s products and you can see that AXTS doesn’t take design, engineering and machine work lightly.

AXTS’ goal with its first complete weapon was to create a full-featured, fully ambidextrous rifle that can outperform others and look good while doing it. AXTS combined its previous innovations into the MI-T556 and added some new ones, too, to create its version of what an AR-15 could be. Is the end product even better than the sum of its parts? We aimed to find out.

Fully Ambidextrous Lower

The foundation of the MI-T556 is the AX556 A-DAC lower receiver. A-DAC stands for Ambidextrous Dual Action Catch. Let’s examine what that means. In keeping with the theme of the rifle, the lower is fully ambidextrous. It has magazine releases on both sides as well as AXTS’ convertible 45- to 90-degree Talon ambidextrous safety. The Talon is unique in that it converts from a traditional 90-degree throw to a trendy 45-degree short throw without removing the safety from the lower. Also, it features a screw-less design, so there’s little chance of it coming loose or falling off.

The most exciting ambidextrous features of the A-DAC are its bolt catch and release controls. On the right side, you can hold the bolt back by simply pressing the magazine release button down while racking the bolt back, and release it with the press of a separate bolt release button conveniently located up and to the rear of the magazine release. On the left side, the traditional bolt release paddle has been redesigned to give the left-handed shooter the ability to lock the bolt back with a wide lower paddle and release it with an even wider upper paddle that extends toward the rear.

The 7075-T6 billet aluminum lower features noticeably thicker walls and an overall huskier build than your standard forged lower. It contains a buildup of aluminum to help bolster critical areas as well as an oversized, built-in triggerguard. The enlarged and flared mag well features front gripping serrations as well as a waffle pattern on its surface that mimics the look of a Magpul PMAG. Both treatments offer extra traction and add to the MI-T556’s good looks.

AXTS includes a proprietary anti-rotational hammer pin called the ARHP. It’s the elongated pin just aft of the right-side magazine release button. The ARHP is compatible with any hammer that uses a standard-size pin. Some may not see the need for it, while others will like the extra insurance it provides against wear and tear in the field.

The MI-T556’s standard features are anything but. Sitting pretty inside the heart of the lower is a two-stage AR Gold trigger with a consistent pull weight of 3.25 pounds on our Lyman trigger-pull gauge. Its feel was ultralight and crisp and had us chomping at the bit to take it out for some live fire. We were delighted to find a couple of our favorites—a B5 Systems pistol grip and an adjustable Enhanced SOPMOD buttstock—rounding out the furniture of this MI-T556 rifle. At the tail end of the receiver is an Impact Weapons Components QD end plate. This sling mount is finished in black Melonite for corrosion resistance and is a secure method of mounting a sling for carrying the rifle.

Billet Upper

Sitting atop the AX556 is a matched 7075-T6 billet upper receiver with a proprietary 13.5-inch-long M-LOK-compatible handguard. Like its counterpart, the construction of the upper receiver is also thicker than that of a regular forged upper. Both the upper and lower receivers are finished in a durable AXTS Grey Cerakote. Knight’s Armament Micro Sights come as standard equipment on the upper half.

Four vertical bolts help attach the handguard to the upper. We immediately noticed that the barrel nut, which is designed for quicker heat dissipation, vents heat away from the chamber with slots located at the bottom of the handguard.

AXTS’ first entry into the ambidextrous-controls movement was the Raptor charging handle. The Raptor is made to allow shooters to rapid palm-blade or finger-thumb charge the rifle from either side. It is made with aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum and features wide, serrated levers. It is only fitting that the Raptor made it into the MI-T556. The Raptor that is included with the MI-T556 is coated in nickel-boron for smooth operation and increased longevity. The upper receiver also features a titanium forward assist with a black DLC coating.

Just what kind of precision can we expect from this rifle? AXTS claims that the MI-T556 will offer sub-MOA performance with 55-, 62-, and 77-grain ammunition. Such accuracy is partly a result of the carbine’s 14.5-inch match-grade barrel, which starts out as a Shilen 416R blank before being turned to a custom profile and given a 1:8-inch twist rate. The barrel uses a mid-length gas system and has a .223 Wylde chamber, meaning it can take .223 Remington or 5.56mm NATO rounds without skipping a beat. The crown is carefully hand-polished, as are the barrel extension’s feed ramps.

Our test model was fitted with a superb SilencerCo Saker Trifecta flash suppressor. Customers can choose either the flash hider or muzzle brake version of the Saker Trifecta.

Powering this carbine is a full-auto-capable bolt carrier group with a bolt that is manufactured from case-hardened steel. The bolt is also shot-peened, high-pressure (HP) and magnetic-particle (MP) tested for imperfections and coated in a self-lubricating, polished black nitride finish. The bolt lugs are CNC ground to ensure accuracy. It goes without saying that the bolt carrier’s gas key is properly staked for reliability as well.

Any Extras?

If you’re a regular reader of Ballistic, you’ll notice that we like to outfit the firearms we review with the latest in aftermarket parts. Yes, we enjoy good gear just as you do. But in the case of the MI-T556, we didn’t want to change a thing. It comes out of the box dressed to the nines. With fully ambidextrous controls, great polymer furniture, a top-notch muzzle device and some of our favorite iron sights, what else could we ask for?

Well, the AXTS team answered that question for us. They included a few non-standard accessories with our test MI-T556, such as an Atlas bipod equipped with an ADM 170-S quick-detach mount. The bipod can be adjusted from 4.75 to 9 inches in height, and its legs can shift to four different positions.

For sighting, AXTS mounted a Leupold 1.1-8x24mm Mark 8 CQBSS M5B1 scope with a Horus H27D reticle to the rifle via a Spuhr mount. The Mark 8 scope’s front-focal-plane reticle is illuminated, and its 34mm main tube produces a wide range of windage and elevation adjustment travel.

At The Range

Finally it was time to take the MI-T556 to the range for a spin. Our first impression was that this isn’t one of the lightweight AR-15s to which we’re now accustomed. In its bare-bones stock configuration it weighs 7 pounds, which places it in a slightly heavier weight class than others. Fully loaded with the heavy-duty bipod and scope mounted, the rifle was pushing 10 pounds.

That said, we started with some bench shooting to see what kind of accuracy we could get out of the MI-T556. We’d leave the running and gunning for later. After confirming our zero and getting comfortable with the rifle, we pushed our paper target out to 100 yards. At this point, I’d like to point out that the two-stage AR Gold trigger felt phenomenal. Its reset wasn’t as defined as others that we’ve shot, but the break was delicate and decisive at the same time.

Using Black Hills’ 70-grain Hornady GMX ammo, we were able to create 0.8-inch groups on average with our best five-shot group measuring just under 0.6 inches. We’re not precision shooters, mind you, so we’re confident that a competent precision shooter can get into 0.5-inch territory or better. Overall, we felt that the gun was very smooth. Considering that it didn’t have a muzzle brake to help reduce recoil, the buttery smoothness of breaking each shot was a pleasant surprise. The SilencerCo Saker Trifecta flash suppressor did, however, give off a very noticeable tuning fork “ping” after every shot. It didn’t bother us, but it might concern some shooters. A suppressor would certainly fix that, but we didn’t have one on hand.

After some more plinking at distance, we set up a simple run-and-gun course of fire that included paper and steel targets within 35 yards. As heavy as we initially thought the rifle was, the issue soon melted away. After taking off the bipod, we felt that the rifle was well balanced and a very stable platform to shoot from when standing and unsupported. Just like when it was being shot on the tabletop, it was smooth and easy to get follow-up shots when standing, too.

We can’t be sure what makes this rifle so smooth to shoot—perhaps it’s due in part to its weight—but it is also accurate, well-balanced, solid and fun to shoot. The thing feels like a tank in your hands, and we mean that in a positive, rugged way. Again, the trigger was a definite highlight, especially when getting off quick successive shots. In fact, our shots were so quick that a couple of guys from the next berm over came to see if we were firing a select-fire weapon.

We didn’t lug it around for hours on end, so if that’s in your plans, you might want to ease the load with a lighter-weight optic setup. But for our simulated competition-style course, the setup you see here was well received.

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It was during these quick-shooting drills that the ambidextrous nature of the rifle really came into its own. Making ready, doing press checks and the like were all made easier with controls that can be accessed from both sides. We didn’t run into any malfunctions, so we actually had to deliberately create some to see how the controls performed. Having the ability to hold the bolt back by pressing the magazine release button may feel strange, but we found that it helped us strip the magazine and simultaneously hold the bolt back to clear chamber-obstructing malfunctions quicker and more easily. It would take some retraining to get used to, however.

Greater Than The Sum

AXTS Weapons Systems has collected all its innovative designs and combined them in the MI-T556. We’d say that the company’s met and even exceeded its goals of producing a truly ambidextrous, high-performance rifle. The gun comes complete out of the box with almost every bell and whistle a shooter could want in an AR-15-style rifle, but make no mistake, this is a premium AR that carries a premium price. Available with either a 14.5-inch barrel (as seen here) or a 10.5-inch barrel, the MI-T556 carries a retail price of $2,895. But with such outstanding performance, the MI-T556 is really much greater than the sum of its parts.

For more information on the MI-T556 and other products from AXTS Weapons Systems, please visit AXTSweapons.com.

The post Featured Firearm: AXTS Weapons Systems’ MI-T556 Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Almost without fail, as rifles and other weapon systems reach a point of consistent operation, the next step is lowering their weight. Soldiers are always concerned about their “combat load.” Weight slows you down, causes injuries and makes it difficult to move quickly under stress.

RELATED STORY: Gun Test: Seekins Precision’s SP10 Rifle

Those engineering equipment for this task try to shave every ounce possible from their products, including rifles, and it’s the same in the law enforcement environment. Twenty years of carrying necessary equipment as a police officer takes its toll, something I can attest to personally. Many of my aches, pains and injuries today stem from wearing body armor and a duty belt for over two decades. Officers tasked with tactical operations add plate carries, rifles, helmets and an array of other equipment to that load. But, much like a patrol officer, you spend most of that time carrying and training with that equipment. In many cases, you spend hours standing or kneeling in place in preparation for movement. After the enthusiasm wears off and operations stack up, you quickly realize that every ounce matters. Your rifle may not be the heaviest piece of gear you carry, but it weighs more heavily on your body. After a couple years, you start shedding anything not absolutely necessary, no matter your assignment.

Less Is More

Over the past several years, the 5.56mm NATO AR platform has reached its zenith of engineering. Today, well-built rifles are accurate, reliable and rugged. Many of the differences between models are more cosmetic than pragmatic. Improvements in machining and materials keeps them strong, and many companies are now trying to make their rifles as light as possible.

Lessons learned in the competition world have produced slim and trim handguards increasingly devoid of Picatinny rails and the weight they bring. Military users may stack all kinds of stuff on their rifles, but police officers seldom do. At most, you might see an optic or reflex sight, a light, some backup sights and maybe a bipod. In many cases, you’ll only add a light and iron sights. Here the “less is more” philosophy prevails—rails are added only where needed to keep a rifle as lightweight and streamlined as possible.

One company making strides in this area is Seekins Precision. Starting with a simple set of scope rings, the company has blossomed into one of the most sought-after AR manufacturers on the market. Along with unique and innovative receivers, Seekins Precision manufactures some of the strongest, lightest and most useful handguards. Looking to build a handguard that meets the latest trends while maintaining its well-known attention to detail, Seekins introduced the free-floating NOXs (“No Excess”) handguard. Strong yet lightweight, it features an ultra-thin profile, integral anti-rotation QD swivels, and either M-LOK or KeyMod slots along the sides and bottom for adding accessories. And it was only a matter of time before Seekins Precision decided to put its new handguards to use on complete rifles.

Seekins Precision is currently offering SP15 NOXs rifles with either billet or forged receivers in .223 Wylde or 300 Blackout, and I got my hands on a forged model in .223 Wylde for testing. These rifles were built to be high-performance tactical carbines exceeding the all but antiquated “mil-spec” standard.

As its name implies, the SP15 Forged NOXs starts with upper and lower receivers that are CNC-machined to precise tolerances from 7075-T6 aluminum forgings before being hardcoat anodized black. The upper receiver features a 16-inch, stainless steel barrel that comes equipped with Seekins’ Melonite-coated, three-pronged flash suppressor. Each barrel is also inspected four times to ensure match-grade tolerances, and M4 feed ramps are included. The gas tube, gas block and M16 bolt carrier group are all coated in Melonite to resist corrosion and increase lubricity, and a Bravo Company Gunfighter Mod 3 charging handle is another enhancement.

Of course, surrounding the barrel and gas system is a 15-inch NOXs handguard. Precision machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, it features a seamless top Picatinny rail and M-LOK slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions for mounting accessories where needed. Dozens of lightening cuts help the NOXs handguard achieve such a light weight.

The lower receiver features ALG Defense’s proven QMS trigger along with a Seekins ambidextrous safety and a machined mag release. As for furniture, my test rifle came with Magpul’s MOE pistol grip and STR buttstock, providing solid control. Finally, the rifle came in a very nice nylon case with a 30-round Magpul PMAG.

Sticking with the lightweight theme, I didn’t add much to my rifle. I installed a Trijicon SRS red dot along with a SureFire Scout light in a LaRue Tactical mount. I also used my Blue Force Gear sling when necessary.

Defining Precision

The NOXs rifle’s accuracy was commensurate with every Seekins Precision rifle I’ve tested—excellent. These are easily some of the most consistently accurate rifles I’ve used. With the NOXs, everything grouped under an inch, but the rifle really liked the Black Hills 69-grain TMK load. Black Hills’ 77-grain TMK load has become my go-to 5.56mm round, but it wasn’t as accurate in testing given the rifle’s chamber and twist rate. The 69-grain TMK load should work across a broader range of rifles with similar terminal ballistics, and the NOXs sure liked it, with groups consistently in the 0.6-inch range at 100 yards and best group clustering four rounds inside 0.5 inches.

Along with the typical accuracy testing, I spent a great deal of time using the NOXs around my vehicle, an FJ Cruiser. While it may not always be the best place to fight from, it is often all an officer has. Learning what works well (and doesn’t) when deploying from a vehicle is critical for anyone, especially patrol officers. So, to test the rifle’s practical accuracy, I fired it from the hood of my truck using a pad. At 50 yards—a more likely police distance—the rifle created a five-round cluster just under 0.5 inches. My guess is that bench testing may provide even tighter groups, but for police work, this kind of accuracy is superb.

Several magazines were used during testing, including those from Brownells, Lancer, Magpul and a few stray magazines sitting in my shop. Magpul’s PMAGs were the most reliable along with both 20- and 30-round Lancer AWMs. At first, all of the aluminum magazines experienced an occasional failure to go into battery after reloading, but it was cold—12 degrees at most—so things dried up quickly. Keeping the rifle wet eliminated most issues, but it definitely liked PMAGs the most.

Extraction and ejection was consistent, with no failures to fire, extract or eject. Working from underneath the FJ Cruiser, I fired the NOXs with the ejection port in numerous positions, including towards the ground, and it never failed to eject.

RELATED STORY: LEO Ready: Seekins Precision’s 300 Blackout SBR

Overall, the NOXs handguard should be perfect for most shooters these days. It offers plenty of hand space for various positions. Working on the square range, transitions between targets were fast, especially when I kept my support hand forward on the handguard. The rail accommodates pretty much any preferred shooting position. It even worked well against barricades and fences, in close quarters, and inside and out of my vehicle.

Top Marks

Seekins Precision designed the SP15 Forged NOXs as a tactical rifle, and it’s just about perfect for the patrol rifle task. You get top-notch parts with an attention to detail most run-of-the-mill manufacturers just don’t have. The rifle’s accuracy and reliability were excellent. With a retail price of $1,275, it is competitive with most higher-end duty rifles that lack many of the same features. In other words, if you’re looking for a high-quality patrol rifle, make sure you add the NOXs to your list. It may just be the best of the bunch.

For more information on the SP15 Forged NOXs, visit seekinsprecision.com or call 208-743-3400.

Specifications Seekins Precision SP15 Forged NOXs

Caliber: .223 Wylde
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 33.25 inches
Weight: 6.5 pounds (empty)
Stock: Magpul STR
Sights: None
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $1,275

The post Gun Test: Seekins Precision’s SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Custom firearms have always been very popular. Many of the most useful features found on production firearms today came from small shops before they were picked up by larger, more mainstream manufacturers. Were it not for custom gunsmiths’ willingness to think outside of the box, we would probably still be using flintlocks.

Custom shops drive innovation, and they can cater to what many consider “atypical” buyers who don’t exactly want cookie-cutter rifles designed solely for personal or home defense. Because the firearms market is currently saturated with AR-platform rifles, a new niche has sprung up—shooters who want something different. And one new company, EraThr3, was created specifically for those not satisfied with the status quo.

EraThr3 is not some large corporate manufacturer building firearms in the thousands. Sheri Johnson and Sterling Becklin started EraThr3 in 2013, and it remains a small operation. But don’t let the company’s young age fool you. Sheri previously served as the general manager of Noveske Rifleworks and had been working there since 2004. Looking to get back to the excitement of her previous company’s “garage days,” she teamed up with Sterling, a former Noveske president, to reach a new market—one less interested in a tactical edge yet still in need of high-quality products. I recently attended a media event for gun writers in Utah with Sheri, Sterling and EraThr3’s editorial director, Ken Hutchison, which gave me a great opportunity to get to know the company and its products a little better.

When I drove up to the range, I immediately noticed rifles Cerakoted bright orange, green, yellow, blue, pink and purple. The guns had arrived in custom-made wooden crates engraved with our names and filled with various goodies and assorted clothing. My gun was a lime green AR in 5.56mm NATO nicknamed “The Grunt,” which came with several features I’d never used before this event. The goal was to make something different, and EraThr3 certainly accomplished that task very well.

Meeting Sheri and Sterling marked the beginning of some of the most fun I’ve had on a range in a long time. Both are engaging, friendly, enthusiastic and great to be around. They don’t take themselves too seriously, which made for a fun visit. When I asked Sheri about the bright colors on the rifles, she simply said that they were fun and different. And that may sum up the whole event.

Meet The Grunt

The billet-crafted receivers, Cerakoted lime green, feature several lightening cuts to reduce weight.

The EraThr3 Grunt rifle started with EraThr3’s E3 upper and lower receivers, which are machined from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum and fitted by hand for enhanced accuracy. The receivers also feature several cutouts to reduce weight, and a smooth Cerakote finish gives the rifle its bright lime green color.

RELATED STORY: AR Accessories – 16 Optics, Triggers, Handguards & Barrels For Your Rifle

The upper houses a 16-inch, carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel from Proof Research. The barrel has a .223 Wylde chamber, a 1-in-7-inch twist rate and a SilencerCo Saker flash suppressor. Surrounding the barrel and mid-length gas system is a 15-inch handguard with several lightening cuts, M-LOK slots for mounting accessories along the sides and bottom, and a full-length Picatinny rail on top for sights and optics. The upper also sports an AXTS Raptor ambidextrous charging handle and a titanium bolt carrier that holds an enhanced bolt from JP Enterprises. Another small touch is the dust cover, which is held in place with a recessed rod.

The author’s test rifle came equipped with a Leupold 3-18x4mm Mark 6 scope in an IMS mount.

The E3 lower receiver is a truly unique design that is secured to the upper with enlarged titanium takedown pins. The first thing you’ll probably notice is the magazine well, which has cutouts on both sides as well as the front to help reduce weight. The integral triggerguard houses an AR Gold trigger from American Trigger. The magazine release and AXTS Talon ambidextrous safety are also made of titanium.

The rear of the lower receiver features a Primary Weapons Systems enhanced buffer tube with an H2 buffer. A Flat Dark Earth Magpul STR stock is installed on the buffer tube, and the pistol grip is a matching Magpul MIAD unit.

For targeting, the test rifle came equipped with a Leupold 3-18x44mm Mark 6 scope mounted in a Leupold IMS mount as well as Dueck Defense’s offset RTS sights. The EraThr3 Grunt also came with three 20-round Magpul Gen 3 PMAGs and an Atlas bipod.

Range Performance

The first day of the media event, we took shots out to 1,100 meters but mostly focused on targets at 600 meters and in. Hornady provided its 75-grain Superformance Match BTHP ammunition, which proved very accurate in the Grunt. This 5.56mm NATO ammo has a higher velocity than most of Hornady’s .223 Remington ammo. Factory rated at 2,910 fps from a 20-inch barrel, this load came closer to 2,800 fps through the Grunt’s 16-inch barrel.

I was able to get hits on steel targets at 600 meters with just one or two shots. Winds ranging from 10 to 20 mph made it harder to get hits at 800 and 1,000 meters, but I hit both of those targets. It was almost too easy; as long as I correctly accounted for the wind, I’d get a hit. Timed for right-handed shooters, the Saker flash suppressor held the muzzle in place with no rise. The EraThr3 Grunt was soft to shoot. It mostly stayed in place, even during rapid-fire strings.

RELATED STORY: Upper Receivers – 22 Complete Uppers to Transform Your AR

Next, we ran a short course of fire where each writer had to take shooting positions behind barricades and hay bales to engage ISPC-sized steel targets and LaRue knockdown targets from 50 to 500 meters. My first run, I didn’t miss a single target. I knocked them all down in turn, even the steel set at 508 meters. One thing became very obvious during this portion of the testing: The Grunt is truly light, and I had no problem running with it. It’s easy to maneuver with, carries well and recoils slightly, which makes it easier to get back on target for quick follow-up shots.

Each rifle was zeroed to hit close to the middle of a 6-inch steel target. My test rifle held dead on to my Kestrel readings and provided for consistent hits at extended ranges. It did so with the Hornady ammo as well as Black Hills’ 69-grain TMKs and Barnes’ 70-grain TSXs with no perceivable shift in holds. And it did all of this without cleaning the bore, only wiping down the bolt carrier group once in a while and occasionally adding oil.

After the event, I took the EraThr3 Grunt back to my home range, where I tested it for 100-yard groups and ran some of my own range drills. The results were similar—the rifle was very accurate, producing groups with all three types of ammunition within 0.6 inches. Hornady’s 75-grain Superformance Match ammo created the smallest group, which measured 0.5 inches exactly.

The Grunt Works

The Grunt never missed a beat, even with a SureFire SOCOM556-RC2 sound suppressor installed.

Between the media event and the trip to my home range, the EraThr3 Grunt never suffered a single malfunction, even when it was caked in sand and dust. Without extensive cleaning, the gun continued to run. Using ammo from Barnes, Black Hills and Hornady as well as a couple different 55-grain loads, the Grunt functioned without issue. I also ran the rifle with a SureFire SOCOM556-RC2 suppressor at my home range and didn’t experience a single hiccup. The ejection pattern shifted, as is typical with suppressor use, but the rifle never failed to eject a round.

I also want to note that, at 4.7 pounds unloaded, this is the lightest AR I’ve ever tested. The older I get, the less a rifle weighs, the better, and it’d be hard to beat the Grunt in this regard. Once the shooting started, I never noticed an increase in recoil or second-shot accuracy. My back and shoulders were very pleased with the lack of weight in my arms.

Each of these media event rifles was later listed on EraThr3’s website as a package with all of the test equipment included for a deeply discounted price. And despite their $6,750 price tags, the rifle packages quickly sold out, with $1,000 from each sale going to veterans’ charities. These were custom rifles built by hand with custom touches that are both useful and cosmetic, hence their custom prices.But EraThr3 treats every rifle like a personal creation—not a slab of aluminum and other parts slapped together. The attention to detail on my EraThr3 Grunt rifle alone was absolutely impressive. So if you’re looking for a cheap, get-it-done kind of rifle, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you are in the market for an unusual-looking rifle that performs well while standing out from the crowd, make sure you check out EraThr3.

For more information, visit http://www.erathr3.com.

This article was published in ‘Black Guns’ #190. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

The post Mean Green Fighting Machine: The .223 Wylde EraThr3 Grunt appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

If you have been shopping for an AR-15, the task should have gotten a little easier. A year ago, you might’ve sucked it up and learned to appreciate whatever you could get, but now is the time to relax and consider your next firearms purchase wisely. You might be a competitor hot and heavy into 3-Gun matches, or you may be seriously concerned about home defense. You may want to do a little mid-range varmint hunting or even prepare to join the next generation of Minute Men. Then again, some of us may want to do it all.

One-Gun Solution

The problem with this scenario? In recent years, buying even one AR-15 could be expensive. Fulfilling all of these roles might require purchasing several rifles, with each having a different mission-specific configuration. But I recently discovered a rifle that may be capable of handling all of these chores, thus leaving you with only having to buy a single AR-15. It really isn’t farfetched to think one rifle can be more than capable of handling each of these roles as long as it is reliable and accurate.

The drawback to this is that we often have to sacrifice a bit of one trait to get the other. Tighten things up for accuracy and you may lose some reliability. If we loosen our tolerances for reliability, accuracy may suffer. Still, at times you come across a manufacturer, such as Patriot Weaponry, that is just too stubborn to accept either condition.

RELATED STORY: WeltARweights – 9 Lightweight AR Rifles

For the past several months I have been testing the P-51 Carbon, which is Patriot Weaponry’s premier AR-15, and during that time I have had several conversations with the company’s owner, Kody Karch. I don’t know if it is due to the fact that Kody is an Army veteran, or if it is a trait born from living in the harsh winters of Wisconsin, but stubborn is just a good way of describing him. To say that he is persistent may be a more polite way of phrasing it, but the first year of Patriot Weaponry’s existence was spent doing nothing but studying every aspect of the AR-15. Sorry, but we Southern boys just call that stubborn.

Before the introduction of the P-51, Kody not only studied every part of the AR, but he also considered how each part interacts with the other parts of the rifle. Then, part by part, he searched out what he considered to be the best on the market. If he could improve on it, he did. If not, he incorporated it into his new rifle. Patriot Weaponry wanted to produce a rifle that was not only 100-percent reliable, but also attained a level of accuracy that would make any company proud.

Rifle Specs

From its VG6 Precision Epsilon muzzle brake to its Magpul CTR stock, the P-51 Carbon boasts a number of top-notch upgrades—and it only weighs 5.88 pounds unloaded thanks in part to its Proof Research barrel.

The P-51 Carbon starts with a set of upper and lower receivers crafted from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum. These receivers tie all of the rifle’s parts together, and this is where its inherent precision begins. The dimensional tolerances of the receivers dictate how each part is located and interacts with the other parts of the rifle.

The upper sports a 16-inch, carbon-fiber-wrapped Proof Research barrel with a 1-in-7-inch twist rate and a .223 Wylde chamber. The .223 Wylde chamber improves the rifle’s accuracy due to tighter dimensions for handling both .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO rounds. Proof Research claims superior performance, extreme accuracy and durability in its carbon-fiber process, and few in the industry would disagree. The only drawback I’ve ever noticed with Proof Research barrels is their cost. However, Patriot Weaponry was going for the best, not the cheapest.

The billet-crafted upper has a large integral shell deflector and forward assist.

The barrel uses a mid-length gas system and is fitted with an adjustable gas block and VG6 Precision’s Epsilon muzzle brake. Surrounding the barrel and gas system is a 12.63-inch, free-floating Midwest Industries G3 M-Series handguard with a long Picatinny top rail and M-LOK slots along the sides and bottom. The upper is also fitted with a lightweight forward assist, ejection port cover and rod. A Griffin Armament charging handle is also included as well as a titanium bolt carrier. An enhanced JP Enterprises bolt with an improved extractor, ejector and gas rings is installed for increased durability and reliability.

The upper receiver is a flattop design, which most would consider standard in the AR world, and mounting optics is a breeze. However, Patriot Weaponry also includes a set of Magpul MBUS Pro flip-up sights.

The lower receiver’s takedown and pivot pins, magazine release and ambidextrous safety selector all made from titanium. The mil-spec carbine buffer tube, attached to the lower with a titanium castle nut, houses a JP Enterprises Silent Captured Spring System. The buffer retainer and end plate are also made of titanium.

Note the gold trigger and the stylish engraving on the the magazine well and dust cover.

For anyone who loves a good trigger pull, the lower features a single-stage CMC trigger with a 3.5-pound pull weight. For furniture, Patriot Weaponry chose Magpul’s K2 pistol grip and adjustable CTR buttstock. A 30-round Magpul PMAG is included with the rifle.

As soon as I unpacked my test rifle, I noticed something that was always supposed to be a trait of the AR-15 but had been lost over time: This rifle is light! Unloaded and without any optics, the P-51 weighs 5.88 pounds. With its collapsible stock and 16-inch barrel, the rifle is already relatively compact, but when you add in its light weight, you’ve got a handy little rifle.

The overall finish blends well from one part to the next, and the bright unfinished titanium magazine release and safety provide a stylish contrast. The “We the People” engraving on the dust cover will have any good patriot smirking. Yet, no matter the quality of the parts used, it is their fitting and assembly that brings it all together. The parts have been optimized for their function, but it is the fitting that allows them to operate smoothly. Just handling the P-51 Carbon and working the action gave me the feeling that Kody and his staff knows what they are doing. At that point, the only question I had was how all of this would work on the range.

Let Freedom Ring

Federal’s 69-grain Gold Medal Match BTHPs produced the tightest five-shot group at 100 yards.

Patriot Weaponry guarantees that the P-51 Carbon will maintain 1-MOA accuracy with match-grade ammunition, but Kody boasted much better groups in our conversations. I don’t blame any man for being proud of his product, but I wanted to see if this rifle would live up to his claims. Plus, this would be my first experience with a Proof Research barrel, so I was eager to get this rifle to the range.

My normal optic for testing a 16-inch-barreled AR is the U.S. Optics 1.5-6X SR6, and I halfway considered switching to a scope with more magnification because of Kody’s claims about the rifle. But a 16-inch-barreled carbine normally isn’t the choice of a long-range marksman, so I decided to stay with my normal game plan. Since this scope had been used on several 5.56mm rifles, it only took a few moments to dial it in to where I was hitting within an inch or two of dead-center.

RELATED STORY: AR Rifles & Pistols – 20 New Models On The Block

My test ammunition consisted of Winchester 55-grain FMJs, Federal 69-grain Gold Medal Match BTHPs and Creedmoor 77-grain Tipped MatchKings (TMKs). The Winchester load was never intended to be match-quality ammunition, but it got the scope sighted-in and served as a good test load for general reliability. However, even these rounds created five-shot groups averaging 1.5 inches, and many AR owners would be happy with those results.

The real accuracy began to show itself once I switched over to the Federal ammo. Kody had mentioned 0.25- to 0.38-MOA results in our conversations, but I’ve also heard of unicorns, and they are just about as common. The average group size for the Federal load was 0.75 inches, and the smallest group I managed that day was 0.69 inches.

But Kody wasn’t exaggerating. Given a more powerful scope and another shooter, I could see this rifle achieving 0.25 MOA. I wish I had gotten the chance to spend more time with this rifle, since I can count the number of 0.25-inch groups I’ve fired on two fingers. Any time I can hit near 0.5 inches, I tend to brag for days.

The 69-grain bullets must have been the sweet spot for this barrel, since the 77-grain Creedmoor TMKs opened the groups up slightly. It should be noted that Patriot Weaponry’s 1-MOA accuracy guarantee would be safe with either of these match loads.

After the shooting rest and chronograph were put away, I fired another 120 rounds of the Winchester FMJ load on 6-inch-diameter metal plates at 100 yards just to get a good feel for this rifle. The trigger was very easy to work with, but I did have to adjust slightly to the change in balance between this rifle and my personal rifles. The Proof Research barrel might look like a bull barrel, but it doesn’t weigh anything close to one. Any misses on the plates were directly related to my skill as a shooter. As to reliability, the rifle ran flawlessly, and you can’t improve on 100 percent.

Ready To Shop?

The Magpul CTR buttstock can easily be adjusted to six different length-of-pull positions to fit a wide variety of shooters.

You may still want to take some time to consider your purchase, since Patriot Weaponry’s P-51 Carbon is priced a little higher than the average AR-15. Yet, once you consider the cost of the various parts combined to make this rifle, you will understand the pricing. It may not be the rifle for everyone, but I assure you that it will keep its new owner happy. There is a deep satisfaction in owning a tool that works the way it should day in and day out.

During my review process, I went online to see what others were saying about this new rifle. I read where a few people were making references to this being the Ferrari or Lamborghini of AR-15s. But I’ve got news for them: This rifle is all American, and it’s the Cadillac of weapons.

For more information, visit patriotweaponry.us or call 715-467-1461.

Caliber: .223 Wylde
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 33.25-36 inches
Weight: 5.88 pounds (empty)
Stock: Magpul CTR
Sights: Magpul MBUS
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $3,985

This article was originally published in ‘Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement’ February/March 2017. For information on how to subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Elite Patriot: The All-American P-51 Carbon from Patriot Weaponry appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Many people in the industry sat up and took notice when Christensen Arms debuted its CA-15 and CA-10 Gen 2 rifles at SHOT Show back in January, and now the Utah-based gun maker has announced their official release.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Christensen Arms’ CA-15 Recon

Available with either stainless steel or carbon fiber barrels, the CA-15 and CA-10 Gen 2 both feature newly designed, billet 7075 receiver sets along with a slim profile, aerograde carbon fiber handguard. In addition, both of these rifles feature a free-floating barrel and come with a sub-MOA guarantee.

The CA-15 G2 weighs just under six pounds — making it one of the lightest and most accurate AR-15 platforms out there — and is offered in Black Anodize, Tungsten Cerakote, or Burnt Bronze Cerakote. It’s chambered in .223 Wylde. MSRP for the stainless steel barrel variant is $1,749, while the carbon fiber version retails for $2,295.

With a combination of aerospace alloys and ultra-lightweight carbon fiber, the CA-10 G2 weighs just 7.2 pounds, resulting in an insanely lightweight AR-10. It’s available in either .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor and comes in three different color offerings. MSRP for the stainless barrel version is $2,595 and $2,995 for the carbon fiber.

RELATED STORY: Christensen Arms CA-15

Check out the teaser videos below for a closer look at these two rifles.

For more information about the CA-15 G2 and CA-10 G2, visit https://christensenarms.com.

The post VIDEO: Christensen Arms Releases CA-15, CA-10 G2 MSRs appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

There are a lot of ARs on the market right now, but they are far from equal, and it is always a pleasure to find one done right. Black Dawn‘s new BDR-556-3GLW, a lightweight AR built for 3-Gun matches, certainly qualifies as a high-quality, purpose-built rifle that delivers the goods without breaking the bank.

When it comes to 3-Gun rifles, weight and reliability are two major considerations. Of course, having a rifle that allows one to move quickly, accurately engage multiple targets and avoid fatigue is of great value to any shooter, especially competitors and tactical operators.

This was the challenge Black Dawn decided to take on in building the BDR-556-3GLW rifle—to provide shooters with a lightweight, high-quality gun at a reasonable price. The company is not simply another AR assembler but rather a full-service manufacturer that produces many of its own parts. Black Dawn is known for making top-notch parts when it couldn’t find parts that met its needs.

Breaking Dawn

The 16-inch barrel is capped with an effective Lantac Dragon muzzle brake.

The BDR-556-3GLW is a semi-automatic, direct-impingement AR. The rifle’s 16-inch barrel is manufactured by Black Hole Weaponry using 416R stainless steel with a 1-in-8-inch twist rate, and it has a .223 Wylde chamber. The .223 Wylde splits the difference between .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO dimensions to offer the reliability of the 5.56mm and the accuracy of the tighter .223 chambering. The barrel’s 1-in-8-inch twist rate is also a good compromise, allowing for a wider variety of bullet weights while keeping them properly stabilized.

RELATED STORY: Competition Shooting – The Ultimate Guide To 3-Gun Matches

The rifling on this barrel is also extremely distinct, as Black Hole Weaponry uses three-land polygonal rifling. With traditional rifling, the bullet does not make contact with the bottom of the grooves and leaves a gap as it travels down the barrel. This can allow some gas to escape unevenly ahead of the bullet and increase barrel fouling. Polygonal rifling uses a hexagonal pattern that appears very smooth. And since there are no grooves, the barrel’s thickness is more consistent all around, resulting in a stronger barrel that lasts longer. This smooth design also allows the bullet to make full contact with the barrel, improving accuracy by reducing bullet deformation and increasing bullet velocity.

The barrel is topped off with a Lantac Dragon muzzle brake with a nitride finish. This aggressive-looking brake is specially designed with a “Short Energy Pulse” system to dramatically reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise. This makes it easier to stay on target in rapid fire, an important consideration in both competition and tactical situations. The design also redirects the muzzle blast to reduce the flash signature as well.

The rifle’s top rail is T-marked, making it easy to return optics to their original positions after being removed.

Another accuracy enhancement is Black Dawn’s 15-inch, free-floating MMR handguard, which is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum before being mil-spec hardcoat anodized. It features a full-length Picatinny top rail with laser-engraved T-markings, and it will also accept Magpul MOE rail sections as needed for added versatility.

The handguard’s top rail mates up perfectly with the flattop upper’s for over 20 inches of Picatinny rail space for mounting sights and optics. Interestingly, the forged aluminum upper uses a teardrop-shaped forward assist instead of the more traditional round forward assist. This shape certainly seems to make the forward assist easier to use.

Internally, the BDR-556-3GLW uses an IonBonded M16 bolt carrier group. IonBond is a surface treatment that provides the metal part with a tough, self-lubricating coating for added durability and corrosion resistance. This keeps the bolt carrier group a lot cleaner and makes it easier to clean as well. The gas key is also properly staked with sufficient metal forced into the carrier key screws. If these screws are not properly staked, they could become loose under fire.

Forged Lower

With the Xtech ATG pistol grip, shooters can adjust the grip angle from 17 to 25 or 33 degrees to find the perfect fit.

The mil-spec forged aluminum lower receiver features all of the traditional controls for a right-handed shooter. On the right side of the safety selector, there is a raised notch as well as the selector markings so the status of the rifle is easy to see and feel. Black Dawn has also added its enhanced triggerguard with a large, oversized circular design for shooting with gloves. CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, this component can easily be added to other lower receivers, and it eliminates the annoying rear triggerguard gap found on standard units.

RELATED STORY: 15 Shotguns Designed For 3-Gun Competitions

The lower is fitted with an XTech ATG (Adjustable Tactical Grip), which is made from polymer with a comfortable and ergonomic design featuring slight finger grooves at the front and grip-enhancing texturing at the rear. It also features a large beavertail design for comfort and to better keep the index finger aligned with the trigger. Most interestingly, however, is the fact that the user can easily adjust the grip angle from 17 to 25 or 33 degrees. You just loosen the grip screw and make the desired adjustment.

Triggers are probably the single most important upgrades for any AR, and the BDR-556-3GLW sports a single-stage CMC trigger with a flat face and an outstandingly crisp 3.5-pound pull weight, which made accurate shooting a breeze.

Mission First Tactical’s tough polymer Battlelink Minimalist stock weighs only 5.8 ounces.

At the rear of the lower receiver, Black Dawn has added a receiver plate with single-point sling-attachment points on both sides. In keeping with the principle of building a lightweight rifle, Black Dawn also opted for the Mission First Tactical (MFT) Battlelink Minimalist stock, which is the lightest six-position stock you can buy at only 5.8 ounces. This tough polymer stock has a simple L-shape, but users can also add a tactical 550 cord adapter that keeps the stock from snagging on anything and provides emergency paracord when needed. A rubber buttpad keeps the rifle on your shoulder, and the single QD sling-attachment point is fully ambidextrous. The MFT stock is very snug on the BDR-556-3GLW’s mil-spec buffer tube, exhibiting no wobble or play at all.

All told, Black Dawn’s BDR-556-3GLW comes in at 6.2 pounds unloaded, and less than 6 pounds if you install one of Black Dawn’s shorter handguards. Of course, there is always the problem of feature creep with multiple accessories pushing the weight of your rifle back up quickly, but at least you are starting out with a truly lightweight gun.

Match Ready

On the range, the BDR-556-3GLW handled beautifully, with its light weight and short length making the rifle easy to use during extended shooting sessions. The Lantac muzzle brake did indeed reduce recoil (making it almost negligible) and helped keep the rifle on target. I also experienced zero failures with this gun right out of the box with no maintenance or cleaning. The fit and finish were also above par.

This rifle normally ships without sights, but Black Dawn included a Burris Fullfield TAC30 1-4x24mm scope with my test rifle. This optic is ideal for 3-Gun and tactical uses with a large, 10-position, illuminated center-dot reticle. The reticle’s holdover dots allow the user to adjust for bullet drop at distances out to 600 yards, and the waterproof, nitrogen-purged tube keeps the scope from fogging up in inclement weather. At 1X magnification, it is easy to quickly engage targets with both eyes open, and 4X is suitable for longer distances.

RELATED STORY: 10 Experts – Can Competitive Shooting Help Real-World Defensive Shooting?

To measure the rifle’s accuracy, I used three different types and weights of ammunition at 100 yards, shooting from a stable benchrest. The gun’s accuracy was impressive, and I believe it could have been better with a more powerful optic. Still, my best five-shot group was only 0.76 inches wide—well below 1 MOA and impressive on its own. The rifle certainly seemed to have a preference for lighter-weight bullets.

According to Black Dawn CEO Tim Padgett, his company is committed to building each rifle one at a time and thoroughly function and accuracy testing it before it goes to a customer. The company is committed to providing ARs with the absolute best reliability and accuracy, and if the BDR-556-3GLW is any indication, Black Dawn certainly seems to have succeeded. Black Dawn also stands behind its products with a lifetime warranty as well. This is truly an impressive rifle that includes many advanced features seldom seen on competing rifles, all delivered at well below a custom race gun price.

For more information, visit blackdawnguns.com or call 660-851-0907.

This article was originally published in ‘Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement’ February/March 2017. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Dawn of a 3-Gun King: Black Dawn’s BDR-556-3GLW appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

After a few decades of shooting, writing and teaching, I am quite jaded when it comes to new gear. To pique my interest, new products need to not just be new or different, they also have to be useful and practical. It takes a lot to catch my attention and stir a reaction, but that’s exactly what happened when I perused the Cobalt Kinetics booth at the 2016 SHOT Show. What first caught my eye were the bright and bold colors of its rifles, then their sharp, angular designs. I was so involved in their visual appeal that it took me a minute or so to recognize their most unique feature: dual forward assists.

Of course, you probably already know that a forward assist is designed to push the bolt forward to help chamber a stubborn round. But with today’s highly reliable rifles, the forward assist is rarely needed—so much so that some AR designs have removed them completely. If the feature is so rarely used, why would the folks at Cobalt Kinetics choose to put two forward assists on their rifles? Well, they have another sly trick up their sleeve: both forward assists perform double duty. They also act as bolt releases. Darn, why didn’t I think of that?

A Closer Look

If the bolt is locked back, both forward assists perform as normal: Hit them with the heel of your hand to manually push the bolt forward. However, when the bolt is forward, Cobalt’s two forward assists unlock the bolt with just a press of the thumb. This can be accomplished with the forward assists on either side of the rifle.

Completing the reload is sped up by releasing the bolt by way of the forward assist because the shooter’s thumb can be pre-staged on the forward assist and pressed the instant the magazine is seated. With a forward assist on both sides, the feature is fully ambidextrous. Since the assist is large and easy to find with the thumb, pressing it is a simple gross-motor skill that is easy to perform, even with gloves. Whether for military use, police duty, self-defense or sport, the added speed is valuable in any situation that requires quick reloading. Saving even a second can be a lifesaver when lead is flying in your direction.

RELATED STORY: Mean Green Fighting Machine – The .223 Wylde EraThr3 Grunt

While looking at the pictures of these colorful guns and their elaborate designs, you may first mistake them as nothing more than fancy race guns made for competition. But that’s not the case. Their quality, reliability and unique features are well suited for the hard use seen by military and police weaponry. Cobalt Kinetics tested these guns to 40,000 rounds without any of the parts (beyond gas tubes and gas rings) failing. The company’s engineers shot and cooled them in 10,000-round increments. The testing also included dirt testing with the rifles buried then shot. With no major malfunctions, they stopped testing when the 40,000-
round mark was reached.

Anything that speeds up magazine changes during a firefight and simplifies the process is a welcome addition. And if these colors are not your fancy, Cobalt Kinetics will shortly introduce its rifles in black.

Gaining The Edge

Cobalt Kinetics BAMF E.D.G.E.

Having just started business in April of 2014, Cobalt Kinetics did not take the customary path to the market, making traditional products and then innovating later. Rather, the company burst out of the gate at 100 miles per hour with a very striking design and some of the most unique features on the market.

While the rifle company is new, the owners are not new to manufacturing. They have been in the business for more than 30 years. They started Cobalt Kinetics because they saw the current market was stagnant, and they wanted to breathe new life into it with innovative products. The owners noticed that there was a large emphasis in training for quick pistol-magazine changes, and they wanted to accelerate that task on the AR platform.

It only took four months for the founders to create a working prototype using the initial concept of the dual forward assists. Now fully operational, Cobalt Kinetics has 18 employees working in manufacturing, assembly and sales.

Cobalt Kinetics’ rifles utilize two forward assists that can unlock the bolt and drive it home for faster reloading.

The company’s first two products are the BAMF (Billet Aluminum Modern Firearm) and BAMF Edge, which I was recently sent for testing. Both feature dual forward assists, distinctive designs and come in a choice of vibrant color combinations. The differences between the two models are subtle. The BAMF includes a Hogue collapsible stock and a linear compensator that is designed to push the muzzle blast forward. This model is available with either a 14.5- or 16-inch barrel.

The BAMF Edge includes Cobalt Kinetics’ fixed, billet-crafted buttstock as well as the Edge compensator, which spreads the muzzle blast to the sides. BAMF Edge carbines are available with 14.5-, 16- or 18-inch barrels.

Unusual for a startup, Cobalt Kinetics makes most of the major components in-house, including both the upper and lower receivers, which are machined from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum. According to the company, the receivers are “custom mated pairs,” meaning they’re fitted by hand.

The BAMF Edge and BAMF feature stylish and sleek billet-crafted receivers.

The BAMF and BAMF Edge also feature unique handguards machined in-house from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum. These free-floating handguards feature 2-inch rails on the top and bottom, near the muzzle, for mounting sights, lights or a bipod. With these rails, the front of the handguard has four aggressive points that could be used to secure the rifle against a corner. The sides of the handguards feature M-LOK slots for accessories and numerous lightening cuts.

The fixed, billet-crafted stock on the BAMF Edge is as rock solid as it is distinctive. The stock is built around the buffer tube, which is partially left exposed as part of the design. It looks great and works well.

More BAMF Features

The BAMF uses a Hogue collapsible stock.

Niceties are jam-packed into these rifles. They both use nickel-boron-coated bolt carrier groups from WMD Guns that have been shot peened and magnetic-particle (MP) inspected. The chrome-lined, 1-in-8-inch-twist barrels are made by Faxon Firearms. They also have .223 Wylde chambers, thus allowing a higher degree of accuracy with a wide range of .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO ammunition. The rifles use mid-length gas systems and adjustable, low-profile gas blocks.

For controls, both guns feature ambidextrous, 45-degree safety selectors from KE Arms as well as Raptor ambidextrous charging handles from AXTS Weapons Systems. The ambidextrous magazine release is an extended design from Odin Works, and even the traditional thin, stamped ejection port cover has been replaced with a thickened model for another distinctive touch.

RELATED STORY: AR Rifles & Pistols – 20 New Models On The Block

The triggerguard and bolt catch use threaded pins instead of roll pins, which makes removal and installation much easier. Even the detents for the pivot and takedown pins are held in place with threaded pins so you can remove the components without losing the detent. It’s a genius touch.

Both rifles use DMR triggers from KE Arms. These are single-stage, one-piece, drop-in units with 4.5-pound pull weights and adjustable resets. The triggers are precisely crafted from A2 tool steel that is then titanium-nitride coated.

Numerous colors and combinations are available—four different options for the BAMF and six for the BAMF Edge. Customers can even choose if they’d prefer hardcoat anodizing or Cerakote for the receivers. The BAMF I tested featured green Cerakote receivers and black furniture, while the BAMF Edge had “brazed” (gold) hardcoat anodized receivers and black accents.

Taking them out of the box, I was just as awestruck by the colors and design as when I first saw them. As expected, the finishes were flawless on both guns. The fit was equally good, with no wiggle between the receivers, yet the pivot and takedown pins were easy to remove. The KE Arms triggers were crisp and clean.

The Edge compensator helps spread the muzzle blast to the sides.

After photographing the rifles, I ran every type of ammunition that I had on hand through them to test their functioning, including rounds from Hornady, Black Hills and HPR as well as some PMC, Federal, Hunting Shack, Guatemalan surplus and Prvi Partizan loads. Not surprisingly, the rifles ran every load well. Their actions were very smooth, and the rifles handled as expected.

The dual forward assists/bolt releases worked perfectly every time. It only took a little practice using the forward assist to release the bolt for it to become intuitive and easy.

The linear model pushes the blast forward.

Next came the 100-yard accuracy testing. The barrels are rated for sub-MOA accuracy, and I wanted to see how “sub” I could get. Shooting the BAMF from prone with a bipod and a bag rest, I received the best group with Black Hills’ remanufactured 75-grain match HP ammo, which measured 0.75 inches at 100 yards. Hornady’s 75-grain BTHPs clustered into an inch. Third place went to HPR Ammunition’s 62-grain Black Ops OTF ammo, with a 1.87-inch group.

Since I could envision the BAMF Edge version, with its longer barrel and fixed stock, being used for sniper or designated marksman duty, I was interested to see how the unique stock design would perform while shooting prone. Despite the stock’s unconventional design, I had no problem steadying it with a shooting bag. Of course, since the stock isn’t collapsible, it can’t be adjusted to fit a wide range of shooters or optics. If the rifle will be used in varying roles with different shooters, the collapsible-stocked BAMF might be a better choice.

While Cobalt Kinetics didn’t go into great detail with me about future innovations, the company did share that it plans on offering 300 Blackout rifles soon and was considering a .308 option as well. In the near term, expect black rifles for military and law enforcement personnel, an option for full rails on the top of the handguard for night-vision accessories, short-barreled versions for entry work, and a model designed for 3-Gun competition right out of the box.

As much as I hate to use the expression, everything about the test rifles, from the fit, finish and function, oozes quality. These BAMF rifles are made with top-quality components and offer several unique improvements. If anyone says that there in no real innovation in ARs anymore, they obviously have not seen Cobalt Kinetics.

For more information, visit cobaltkinetics.com or call 435-656-0599.

This article was originally published in ‘Black Guns’ 2017. For information on how to subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Serious BAMFs: Testing Two BAMF Rifles from Cobalt Kinetics appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Cobalt Kinetics has announced that its “Glory” rifle—the first offering in its Chris Kyle “The Legend” tribute collection—is now shipping.

RELATED STORY: ‘The Legend’ – The Hero-Inspired Jeep

Chambered in .223 Wylde, the Chris Kyle “Glory” rifle sports a custom hand-painted battleworn dark earth and armor black American flag cerakote finish. The rifle is called “Glory” because it represents Chris Kyle’s willingness to fight for the glory of the United States, the press release says. Each rifle is individually numbered and production is limited to a run of 250 units, so you better hurry if you want one.

The “Glory” rifle includes all the same features seen on Cobalt’s Edge rifle, including a 14.5 inch or 16-inch 4150 CMV steel barrel with a 1:8 twist; enhanced single stage trigger; 7075 aluminum receivers, handguard and stock; ambidextrous magazine release, selector controls and charge handle; dual drop bolt release; nickel boron bolt carrier group; and a rubber over-molded pistol grip.

Proceeds from the sale of the “Glory” will benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, a non-profit that provides experiences which strengthen military and first responder marriages and families.

“The ‘Glory’ is pretty badass, in fact, each one of the four in The Legend series are cool,” said Taya Kyle, Kyle’s wife and the foundation’s executive director. “I love the fact that Cobalt Kinetics in association with Allegiant Rifleworks worked hard to capture Chris’s spirit in each of these collectibles. They are all so different, yet each have a meaning. For any rifle enthusiast or American Patriot, they will be a great addition to their collection.Best of all, each sale brings with it a benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation that allows us to continue fighting for the military, veteran and first responder families and marriages that fight for us on a daily basis.”

RELATED STORY: Special Report — American Sniper Steel

The Chris Kyle “Glory” rifle can be bought for $3,997. To order one, visit thelegendtribute.com.

The post Cobalt Kinetics is Now Shipping the Chris Kyle ‘Glory’ Tribute Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Midwest Industries M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle lead

Midwest Industries M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle solo

Midwest Industries M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle rail

Midwest Industries M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle front sight

Midwest Industries M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle mount

RELATED STORY: Midwest Industries Tavor KeyMod Handguard

Gun Details

Range Time

Final Notes

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For more information, visit midwestindustriesinc.com or call 262-896-6780.

The post Gun Test: Midwest Industries’ M-LOK 223 Wylde Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic lead

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic rail

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic magazine

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic charging handle

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic receiver

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic bolt carrier

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic scope

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic stripped

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic sling mount

AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 Rifle Ballistic mag well

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Fully Ambidextrous Lower

Billet Upper

Our test model was fitted with a superb SilencerCo Saker Trifecta flash suppressor. Customers can choose either the flash hider or muzzle brake version of the Saker Trifecta.

Any Extras?

At The Range

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Greater Than The Sum

For more information on the MI-T556 and other products from AXTS Weapons Systems, please visit AXTSweapons.com.

The post Featured Firearm: AXTS Weapons Systems’ MI-T556 Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Seekins Precision's SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle lead

Seekins Precision's SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle solo

Seekins Precision's SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle side

Seekins Precision's SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle top

Seekins Precision's SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle front

RELATED STORY: Gun Test: Seekins Precision’s SP10 Rifle

Less Is More

Defining Precision

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Top Marks

For more information on the SP15 Forged NOXs, visit seekinsprecision.com or call 208-743-3400.

Specifications Seekins Precision SP15 Forged NOXs

Caliber: .223 Wylde
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 33.25 inches
Weight: 6.5 pounds (empty)
Stock: Magpul STR
Sights: None
Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $1,275

The post Gun Test: Seekins Precision’s SP15 Forged NOXs Rifle appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

Meet The Grunt

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Range Performance

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The Grunt Works

For more information, visit http://www.erathr3.com.

This article was published in ‘Black Guns’ #190. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

The post Mean Green Fighting Machine: The .223 Wylde EraThr3 Grunt appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.