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

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 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.

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

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?

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. Keep Reading

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VIzs16cJk Keep Reading

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 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.

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

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.

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. Keep Reading

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

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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. Keep Reading

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. Keep Reading

Nov. 8, 2016, was a huge victory for gun owners and the firearms industry. Our new president, strongly endorsed and supported by the NRA, has promised to protect the Second amendment from encroachment. National concealed-carry reciprocity and the Hearing Protection Act actually look like they’ll have a chance of passing Congress and we, the firearms community, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. We are not so embattled, and for the moment life is good. But there were other consequences as a result of the election, and I guess it depends on which seat you are sitting in as to whether they are good or bad.

After The Boom

The AR-15, or modern sporting rifle (MSR) as we have come to know it, has never been more popular. In recent years, many shops with CNC machinery have become manufacturers and some sold to even smaller shops with variances. A lot of these small manufacturers gambled on Hillary Clinton winning the presidential election and tapped out their lines of credit to build inventory in time for the post-election panic buying. With diminished post-Trump-victory demand and an oversupplied market, prices for ARs have never been cheaper. As a result, we can expect to see a number of these smaller manufacturers disappear.

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Is the Savage MSR 15 Recon a Serviceable Combat Rifle?

But one company sure to weather the storm is Savage Arms. In January of 2017, Savage introduced its new line of MSRs. The line includes two rifles with .223 Wylde chamberings so they can fire both 5.56mm NATO and .223 Remington cartridges reliably and accurately without pressure issues. The MSR 15 Patrol carbine is an enhanced civilian-legal version of the military’s M4 Carbine while the MSR 15 Recon possesses a BlackHawk AR Blaze trigger, a free-floating handguard and a collapsible BlackHawk buttstock and pistol grip. I received the latter for testing.

Family Resemblance

My initial examination of the carbine didn’t reveal any surprises. If you’re expecting anything dramatically different than what we’ve become accustom to in AR-15 rifles, you will be disappointed. But what I discovered is the Savage MSR 15 Recon is a well-built gun using some great components and assembled with a good degree of attention to detail. The Savage gun uses a direct gas impingement system just like the original AR-15. However, it uses a mid-length gas system, which reduces the port pressure, helps reduce wear by lowering the bolt carrier velocity and makes the gun softer on recoil. Savage calls the mid-length system appropriate for the 16.13-inch barrel length, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Savage uses a 1-in-8-inch-twist barrel on the MSR 15 Recon. Here we see a number of innovations that help set the rifle apart from competitors. The barrel’s 5R rifling has five lands and grooves arranged so there is no land or groove directly opposite (180 degrees) of each other, which might cause an uneven constriction on the projectile. The lands are slightly slanted and less likely to collect bullet jacket material, which should aid in accuracy and makes the barrel easier to clean. Savage claims the 5R rifling cradles the bullet just enough to impart spin without unnecessary constriction.

To protect the barrel, Savage gives it a surface hardening treatment called Melonite QPQ. Besides making the barrel harder, it also has a lower friction coefficient than chrome and should ensure a long life. As mentioned, the gun has a .223 Wylde chamber.

Savage goes the extra length and laser-engraves the rifle’s serial number on the bolt. I could see where this would be especially helpful when guns are involved in group cleaning sessions such as with a department or agency. The bolt carrier’s gas key is correctly staked and should provide a lifetime of trouble-free use.

Extra Touches

A 13.5-inch, free-floating M-LOK handguard is used on the Savage MSR 15 Recon. It’s a rock-solid unit, and I like its small diameter. It covers the gun’s gas block to give the carbine clean and uncluttered lines and provides plenty of rail space on top for different sighting options. BlackHawk’s folding backup sights are also included.

Savage uses its own forgings to machine the upper and lower receivers. The stylized lines give the lower a decidedly “billet” look, though it is not. There are grooves on the front of the magazine well for those who like to shoot with their support hand in this location instead of on the handguard. There are also indexing cuts on the rear of the magazine well, bilaterally, to give shooters a place for their trigger fingers to rest when they are not on the trigger. The lower has an integral winter triggerguard.

One interesting feature of the Savage MSR lower receiver is that it is drilled and tapped for a setscrew that, when tightened, eliminates all of the play and movement between the upper and lower receivers. The tip of the screw bears against the bottom of the rear lug of the upper receiver for rigidity.

As mentioned, the Savage MSR 15 Recon is outfitted with a BlackHawk AR Blaze trigger, a single-stage unit designed for duty use. It features a full-mass hammer, and all of the components are given a boron treatment to eliminate the need for lubrication. My test sample had a smooth and crisp trigger pull, breaking at 5.25 pounds with a firm reset. This is a sensible trigger pull for those who will use this gun for tactical applications, but those interested in target work and 3-Gun competition will likely want to switch to a lighter pull.

The pistol grip used on the Savage MSR 15 Recon is also a BlackHawk part. Ergonomically, it is one of the best grips I have used. It has a “bottle taper,” meaning it’s slim at the top and fatter at its bottom, and it’s heavily textured. The Recon also uses a BlackHawk six-position collapsible stock. It features a wedge-shaped cheekweld and a 1-inch recoil pad. Though the recoil from .223/5.56mm rounds isn’t punishing, the pad gives the stock extra length, and its tacky rubber composition prevents it from sliding off of a ballistic vest.

Range Workout

I tested the MSR 15 Recon’s accuracy at the range on a blustery Tucson winter day. Winds gusted to 15 mph, and I tried to time my shots during windless lulls. If I thought the wind affected a group, I reshot it. For optics, I used a Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm scope with a 30mm tube. It has .223/5.56 BDC reticle for mid-range accuracy and target turrets. I mounted it in a Weaver Tactical SPR mount. This combo proved to be a perfect match for the Recon for short- to mid-range work. I didn’t feel handicapped at all using the 4X scope to shoot groups at 100 yards.

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The scope’s clear and bright optics made it easy to hold the crosshairs on the little 2-inch Shoot-N-C targets. While the trigger was a little heavier and had a little more creep than I would prefer for target work, I was able to shoot some very nice groups. All of the groups were fired from a warm barrel with no effort made to allow it to cool. Savage doesn’t claim the MSR 15 Recon to be a target gun, but it did produce sub-MOA groups—not just once, but with three of the five different loads used!

Shooting the Recon on steel, I dialed the Bushnell’s magnification down and shot with both eyes open. I liked the long handguard and the ability to grip it far forward, with its slim diameter permitting me to hook my thumb over the top rail.

The Takeaway

Admittedly, I am many years removed from active 3-Gun competition, but the Savage MSR 15 Recon impressed me as a gun whose only limitation would be the shooter. The rifle worked and worked well, with absolutely no stoppages during the 300-round test. It possesses all the accuracy needed for competition, law enforcement or security work.

For those wanting to test the waters in 3-Gun competition, the Savage MSR 15 Recon makes a lot of sense. It provides a solid platform that can be added to as the competitor’s skill level increases. Savage Arms lists the MSRP of the Recon at $999 but, like most other guns—especially AR-style rifles—you’ll find the real-world price to be substantially less.

Savage MSR 15 Recon Specs

Savage MSR 15 Recon Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for three 5-shot groups at 100 yards.

For more information, visit savagearms.com. Keep Reading

Blending into an urban environment isn’t all that hard—until you need to bring a carbine or precision rifle along, too. Even these days, with all the movies, video games and media coverage, a person carrying a rifle draws a lot of attention, even if you use a hard case or some camouflaged or drab-colored bag. But I’ve come up with a better solution that allows you to carry a compact carbine and a more precision-oriented rifle at the same time in one simple, discreet bag.

I jokingly refer to this concept as “the primitive switch-barrel.” Switch-barrel rifles have been very popular lately. They allow you to use different barrel lengths and calibers as needed. But you’ll also need a different sighting system every time you transition from close- to long-range engagements, and removing/reinstalling optics makes it very easy for them to lose their zero. Thankfully, with the AR platform you can just switch out your upper receivers. Leave the optic on the long-barreled upper and keep a red dot on the shorter upper. Switching uppers takes less time than switching barrels, and it ensures you’ll still be on target afterward.

You can do this with a number of AR-platform rifles, but so far Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) has offered the best options for my “two guns, one bag” concept.

PWS Combo

One of the most reliable short-barreled ARs I’ve ever tested is the PWS MK107. It typically runs a wide variety of ammunition and will also work reliably with a sound suppressor—not something every 7- to 8-inch-barreled AR can do. Of course, PWS recently unveiled its MOD 2 design upgrade, and this seemed like a great opportunity to try it out.

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The MK107 MOD 2 is a piston-driven AR with a short 7.75-inch barrel. The gas piston operating system can be adjusted to three different positions to compensate for sound suppressors, various ammunition, heavy fouling, environmental conditions, etc. The chrome-moly barrel has a QPQ coating for corrosion resistance, and it comes fitted with PWS’ CQB compensator, which helps mitigate muzzle blast in close quarters.

Surrounding the barrel and piston system is a new handguard with PicMod technology. KeyMod slots run the entire lengths of the sides and bottom, but Picatinny slots are machined near the front so you can quickly add whatever accessories you might need. You won’t have to worry about rails coming loose.

Upper & Lower

Strong yet lightweight, the MOD 2 upper and lower receivers are forged from 7075-T6 aluminum. The upper features a hardened bolt carrier group made from tool steel. The lower comes with ambidextrous controls, including the safety selector, magazine release and bolt release. The enhanced trigger is factory set for a crisp 5.5-pound pull.

The lower also features a redesigned buffer tube made from extruded 7075-T6 aluminum with PWS’ new Rachet-Lock design, which eliminates the need for a staked castle nut. The buffer tube is fitted with a collapsible polymer BCM Gunfighter stock that complements the BCM Gunfighter pistol grip.

For long-range engagements, I also tested an MK116 MOD 2 upper with a 16.1-inch barrel and a correspondingly longer PicMod handguard. This upper is similar to the MK107’s, with lightening cuts along the sides of the receiver. Three synthetic rail covers were included with the upper to provide a solid support-hand grip, and the barrel came capped with PWS’ FSC (Flash Suppressing Compensation) muzzle device.

Optics & Accessories

For short-barreled rifles (SBRs), I prefer to use a red-dot sight along with fixed front and rear backup sights and a flashlight mounted at 12 o’clock. The Trijicon SRS remains one of my favorites for this setup because it provides a wide field of view with no tunneling effect. Fixed sights are necessary because you might not have time to flip up sights if your red dot is occluded or inoperable. That’s why I turn to Daniel Defense’s fixed rail-mounted sights, which only show in the lower third of the Trijicon SRS’ sight picture. For the flashlight I chose my trusted SureFire X200. My final additions included a BCM KeyMod foregrip and a Law Tactical Gen3
Folding Stock Adaptor.

Thanks to some top-notch training with Follow Through Consulting, I’ve become hooked on scopes with TReMoR 3 (T3) reticles for fast targeting out to 500 meters. So I added a Leupold 3-18x44mm Mark 6 scope with an illuminated T3 reticle to the MK116 MOD 2 upper’s top rail along with Griffin Armaments’ Fail Safe Angle sights.

Now to hold it all together. With the MK107 MOD 2’s stock folded, it’ll fit in a bag that’s only 18 inches long, like a standard hydration pack. Of course the goal here is to carry the SBR and upper together. This requires a larger bag like the Elite Survival Systems Stealth. Designed for law enforcement use as a covert pack, the Stealth accommodated the folded MK107 and MK116 upper with all of their accessories, including a bipod. It also held spare magazines, a first-aid kit, a sling, water and snacks—pretty much all you would need for a deployment or bug-out situation lasting a few hours.

Zeroing In

As mentioned, the goal of this system is to provide two rifle setups without having to switch sights around and lose your zero. Field testing proved this concept; removing and reinstalling the upper receivers did not cause their sights/optics to shift or lose their zero. I zeroed both uppers with Black Hills’ 69-grain Tipped MatchKing (TMK) ammunition. It’s designed to expand at velocities slower than 2,000 fps, making it perfect for short barrels. This allowed me to use one round for both uppers.

While switching back and forth over 10 separate cold-bore shots, there was little if any shift in the point of impact. At 100 yards, the MK116 MOD 2 put everything inside an inch. Using my truck as an impromptu rest, 10-shot groups with the Black Hills 69-grain TMKs were all smaller than 2 inches. In short, after seeing just how accurate and reliable this setup was, I would not hesitate a second to deploy with it.

The MK107 MOD 2 performed similarly at 50 yards. Using my truck bumper as a rest, my groups all measured less than an inch at 50 yards. At 25 yards, it created one big hole. Again, switching the uppers did not cause a shift in the point of impact. I was very pleased with the Trijicon and Leupold optics used for both rifles.

After Action Report

The MK116 MOD 2’s FSC muzzle device did a pretty good job of keeping me on target with less muzzle blast coming back my way. I also tested this rifle with SureFire’s WarComp 556 flash suppressor/adapter and the SOCOM556-RC2 sound suppressor. The WarComp performed like the FSC—it wasn’t much louder, and the blast was similar. The MK116 ran well with the SOCOM556-RC2 with no change in accuracy and only a vertical point-of-impact shift of about an inch.

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PWS’ CQB is an excellent brake for sending muzzle blast forward. Firing at a moderate pace, you’ll barely notice any flash with most ammunition. Rapid-fire strings result in a small fireball every few rounds. But it made the MK107 MOD 2 very pleasant to be behind or beside when firing.

The enhanced two-stage trigger was crisp with no creep or overtravel, and the reset was both audible and tactile. At 5.5 pounds, it’s just about right for most duty applications. It’ll meet the minimum for many law enforcement agencies. Also, I found the ambidextrous controls worked well and were positioned properly. The controls were intuitive and easy to activate.

Final Shots

I had been looking forward to testing PWS’ new MOD 2 rifles since the 2016 SHOT Show. They certainly did not disappoint here. Both of the uppers were accurate and reliable, with the soft shooting impulse that long-stroke gas piston systems offer. Their fit and finish were excellent, with tighter lines and better ergonomics than their predecessors. These uppers were also lighter, stronger and sleeker. The PicMod system is extremely practical and efficient, too, keeping both of these handguards slim and lightweight.

Ever since my first range trip, I’ve kept the PWS MK107 and MK116 handy inside the Elite Survival Systems Stealth. This setup is very slick. You really can’t beat this kind of convenience—just grab the bag and everything is ready to go. My preference these days is to leave the MK107 intact given where I live, but you can pack it either way. It’s a tighter fit with the lower on the MK116, but it works. If you’re considering replicating this setup, you’ll probably need to start with the MK107 because it has to be registered with the BAFTE, then add the MK116 upper. All in all, this is a very handy setup that will help you tackle threats up close and 800 yards away.

PWS MK107 Mod 2 Specs

PWS MK107 Mod 2 Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 50 yards.

For more information, visit primaryweapons.com.

This article was originally published in “Black Guns” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com. Keep Reading

Back in 2015, Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) launched a sister company called Bootleg that focuses on direct-impingement ARs and accessories. To help launch the new product line, PWS contacted Agency Arms.

When it came to building its own AR-15, Mike Parks, the co-owner of Agency Arms, said, “We normally don’t stray outside of our lane. There’s just too much of a learning curve. But working in collaboration with another company shortens that curve.”

Starting with a Bootleg forged receiver set, Agency Arms set about giving the rifle its own unique styling with dramatic lightening cuts. From there, the gun was outfitted with high-quality parts to produce what would become known as the Agency Arms Classified Rifle.

Built for Speed

Sporting a 14.5-inch, 1-in-8-inch-twist barrel with a pinned and welded Dead Air flash suppressor and Pyro brake to redirect and minimize flash and concussion, the Classified is a short, fast-handling carbine.

The barrel is covered with Bootleg’s 15-inch, free-floating PicMod handguard with a full-length Picatinny top rail and shorter rails along the sides and bottom that turn into KeyMod interfaces. I like this setup, and it provides rock-solid mounting for lights and other accessories.

One unique Bootleg part is the Classified’s bolt carrier group, which can be adjusted with two settings for suppressed and unsuppressed use. Adjustments are made through the ejection port with a flat-head screwdriver, so the bolt carrier group doesn’t have to be removed first.

The gun also boasts ambidextrous controls, including the magazine release, bolt release, short-throw Radian Talon safety selector and Raptor charging handle. The lower also features a Magpul MOE SL collapsible stock and K2 pistol grip. Another neat feature of the Classified rifle is that its PWS castle nut ratchets with a locking detent, which makes staking the part unnecessary.

CQB Ready

We used the Classified at Gunsite’s shoothouse and found the gun to be 100-percent reliable. Its short length made negotiating doorways, hatches and tight hallways bearable without reducing our effectiveness. Our gun had a very clean 3.75-pound trigger pull with an awesome reset. This made the gun devastatingly fast on the close-range targets inside the shoothouse.

There’s only one bad thing about the Agency Arms Classified Rifle: Only 300 of these guns were produced last year, and if you didn’t get one, you’ll have to find someone who is willing to part with their gun. Based on our experience with the Classified Rifle, that will be unlikely!

For more information, visit AgencyArms.com.

Agency Arms Classified Rifle Specifications

• Caliber: .223 Wylde
• Barrel: 14.5 inches
• OA Length: 32-36 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds (empty)
• Grips: Magpul MOE SL
• Sights: Magpul MBUS Pro
• Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
• Finish: Gray Cerakote
• Capacity: 30+1
• MSRP: N/A

This article is from the summer 2018 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Keep Reading

RISE Armament is a weapons manufacturer that began as RISE Manufacturing, a manufacturer of aerospace, oil and gas, and defense industry-related parts. In 2013, RISE Armament was born and began making triggers for the AR family of rifles. Complete rifle production began in 2014. Recently, I was able to shoot a sampling of its rifles — including the all-new RISE Armament Watchman — at the 2018 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous.

More on the Rendezvous in just a bit.

Arming Some of America’s Finest

The Watchman really caught my eye. It promises to deliver on a noble idea. RISE designed the Watchman with one main purpose in mind: to arm our nation’s hometown protectors.

In 2016, immediately after five Dallas Police officers were murdered, with another seven injured, RISE Armament set out on a mission of sorts. The manufacturer wanted to appropriately arm America’s police officers.

Most reading this may not know, but a great many number of our nation’s police officers are forced to supply their own rifles for “official” patrol use. We all know that law enforcement, in general, isn’t the best paying of careers. So, a large monetary purchase of anything for police officers usually requires an OT shift or two.

My wife was forced to live the life of a cop’s wife, so we knew how to pinch a penny. Buying my own patrol rifle to use on duty was a major investment, but every bit as necessary.

RISE Armament is doing everything it can to arm our nation’s law enforcement with the best quality rifle possible, and for an affordable price.

A Rifle of a Different Breed

Enter RISE Armament with the new Watchman. Originally named the “300LE,” RISE chambered the rifle in .223 Wylde. Wait, what? Why not chamber it in 5.56mm?

Created by Bill Wylde, the .223 Wylde takes advantage of the accuracy potentials of the .223 chambering, while still being able to contain the higher pressures of the 5.56 chambering. For those that may not know, the .223 Wylde is actually an optimum chambering for greater accuracy results, in layman’s terms anyways.

The RISE Armament Watchman utilizes 7075-forged aluminum upper and lower receivers. It includes a 16.1-inch 416R stainless steel match grade, button rifled barrel with a 1/7 twist. It’s also Nitrided and partially fluted for added lubricity and increased wear resistance.

RISE Armament uses its own 13.5-inch 6061 billet aluminum M-LOK-compatible, free-floated handguard with a mid-length gas system.

Topping off the barrel is RISE Armament’s own proprietary four-prong flash hider.

RISE equipped its Watchman with its own LE145 single-stage trigger, featuring a 4.5-pound pull. It also comes wearing RISE’s ambi-safety and Magpul furniture.

Range Time With the RISE Armament Watchman

I got in a little trigger time with the RISE Armament Watchman at the aforementioned Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous in Montana.

It handled nicely and put the rounds exactly where I wanted them to go. RISE’s triggers are something special; it pulled smoothly and broke nicely.

I was only able to send a few magazines down range with the Watchman. However, based on my limited time with it, this rifle is a real contender.

After speaking at length with the representatives from RISE Armament, they are sending this grizzly old retired copper a new rifle to play with for a complete comprehensive test and evaluation process. It is my intention to really put the RISE Armament Watchman through its paces. So, please stay tuned for the complete review in an upcoming issue of Tactical Life Magazine.

For more information, please visit RISEarmament.com.

RISE Armament Watchman Specs

• Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
• Barrel Type: 416R stainless steel match grade, button rifled barrel; 1/7 twist
• Overall Length: 33 inches (closed stock); 36 inches (open)
• Mid-length Direct Impingement Gas System
• Weight: 6.44 lbs
• Trigger: RISE Armament LE145; 4.5 pounds pull weight
• Capacity: 30+1
• BUIS: Available as an upgrade
• MSRP: $1,099 (general public); For agency and officer direct prices, please contact RISE Armament

RISE Armament recently announced it had reached an agreement to provide its Watchman law enforcement rifles to the Broken Arrow Police Department in Oklahoma. Moreover, the Watchman, chambered in .223 Wylde, will outfit the department’s Special Operations Team.

“We’re proud to provide our officers with RISE Armament rifles,” said Sergeant Brad Klingenberg, Broken Arrow Police Department Special Operations Team Commander. “We are impressed with the rifles’ quality and the engineering behind them. They’re real tack drivers, and the price makes them an incredible value.”

RISE Armament built the Watchman exclusively for law enforcement use. Additionally, the company wanted to supply officers with a “supremely accurate, highly dependable rifle.”

Moreover, it also had to be “affordable on a law enforcement budget.”  As such, RISE sought input from special units, officers, military, competitive shooters and firearm instructors.

RISE Armament Watchman Features

Two different models are available, in .223 Wylde or 300 BLK. Also, each rifle utilizes a RISE advanced flash hider, a four-pronged unit designed to minimize flash in low light. Moreover, the Watchman features forged upper and lower receivers, an LE145 Tactical Trigger, ambidextrous safety and RISE LE M-LOK handguard. Also, the rifle includes a 416R stainless steel barrel and black nitride-coated bolt carrier group. Finally, a Magpul pistol grip and CTR stock round out the package.

“RISE Armament’s number-one mission is to make a lasting difference,” said Chris Stratton, Sales Director at RISE Armament. “We launched our law enforcement division to make sure officers and citizens are better protected, so we’re honored we’re able to make that impact so quickly in Broken Arrow, our own community.”

The Watchman rifle kicks off a new initiative from the company: RISE LE. Further, the new division “focuses on designing, engineering, and manufacturing firearms and other products that meet the specific demands of law enforcement units across the country,” according to a RISE Armament release.

For more information, visit risearmament.com.

Oklahoma’s Cherokee National Marshal Service recently selected the RISE Armament Watchman for its officers. Moreover, the Cherokee Nation ultimately picked Rise Armament’s rifle and pistol configurations, both chambered in .223 Wylde.

Cherokee National Opts for RISE Watchman

The Tahlequah, Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation Marshal Service requested that RISE demo the law-enforcement platform. So RISE spent a day on the range with the marshals, running the rifles through multiple drills showcasing the Watchman’s accuracy, dependability and durability, according to RISE Armament.

The marshal service tested multiple high-end manufacturers’ rifles, ultimately determining the RISE Watchman to be the best performing rifle. Further, the rifle excelled by providing the most value as well, according to RISE.

“RISE is honored to have the Watchman rifle and pistol selected for field use by the Cherokee Marshals,” stated Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament. “The Watchman was designed specifically for law enforcement purposes, and it’s exciting to see it meeting the high standards we set for it.”

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service ordered 30 patrol rifles with 16-inch barrels. The marshals also ordered several pistol variants with 11.5-inch barrels.

RISE Watchman Features

RISE Armament developed the Watchman with input from SWAT/SOT/SRT officers. Additionally, patrol officers, military snipers, professional firearms instructors, and competitive shooters gave input. Above all, that collaboration ensures the platform combines the best in functionality, accuracy, dependability, and affordability, according to RISE.

Both the patrol and pistol versions feature a free-floating, match-grade 416R stainless steel barrel with proprietary fluting for weight reduction. Additionally, the platform utilizes Rise Armament’s LE145 Tactical Trigger, which has a crisp, balanced break and 4.5-pound pull, according to RISE.

Further, it has a precision-machined aluminum handguard with a continuous 12 o’clock top rail, M-LOK slots for attachments, and a skeletonized design for weight reduction. The rifle is sub-MOA accurate with duty ammo, according to RISE. For more information, visit RISEarmament.com.

Expanded Tactical-Life RISE Armament Watchman Coverage

Want more on this great law enforcement rifle? Then check out the upcoming May/June 2019 issue of Tactical-Life magazine. In it, Mitch Hardin breaks down RISE Armament’s latest duty rifle, the Watchman. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com. For digital editions, visit Amazon.

Hailing from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Rise Armament began in 2014 by designing and manufacturing components for the AR platform. After creating top-of-the-line AR-15 triggers, the company began building its own rifles. I got my first hands-on look at some of Rise’s weapons at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous last October in beautiful Montana, and its Watchman rifles—designed specifically for law enforcement—immediately piqued my interest. The cop in me wanted to see if one was up to snuff for a patrolman. So, I figured a bare minimum of 1,000 rounds of ammunition would suffice for an impromptu endurance test.

You can really tell a lot about a manufacturer in how it handles potential problems and issues. Not only does Rise Armament offer a lifetime warranty on each Watchman rifle, but also what the company refers to as its “Blue Line Backup.” This is for those cops who find themselves in officer-involved shootings and have their Watchman rifles held for evidentiary reasons. As long as such an officer is cleared for duty, Rise Armament will provide a free loaner Watchman until the officer receives his or her original rifle back, after the case is adjudicated. This alone proves that Rise Armament truly “gets it.”

Built For Heroes

The past few years have been especially rough for American law enforcement officers. After five police officers were killed and nine others injured during a heinous ambush in Dallas, Texas, on July 7, 2016, the folks at Rise Armament had an idea.

“We set out on a mission to do whatever we could reasonably do to ensure officers aren’t on the streets being outgunned by bad guys,” said Rise’s Garrett Grover, a veteran Army sniper, police officer and gun guru. “We spoke to officers from coast to coast, talked to firearms instructors, competitive shooters and military snipers, and then created a database of the most desired features for duty use. Then (we) combined them all to make this gun, with the goal of making it fit into a law enforcement officer’s budget.”

The result? Two rifles: The Watchman 300LE in 300 Blackout and the Watchman 223LE with a .223 Wylde chamber, allowing it to fire both .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO ammunition more accurately. I got my hands on the 223LE variant for testing.

Wylde Style

It’s obvious that Rise Armament chose the components for the Watchman 223LE very carefully. It comes from the factory with a 16.1-inch, 416R stainless steel, nitride-coated barrel with proprietary fluting and a 1-in-7-inch twist. Topping off the barrel is Rise’s proprietary four-prong flash suppressor. Tested at dusk, it does an exceptional job of mitigating flash, and it doesn’t produce that annoying ringing sound common to other prong-style flash suppressors.

Rise also chose a mid-length gas system, as it provides a more appropriate dwell time for gas management and recoil reduction. Surrounding the barrel and gas system is a free-floating, 13.5-inch, M-LOK-compatible handguard. Rise states that this helps enhance the rifle’s accuracy and modularity while further reducing weight. The handguard has a full-length Picatinny top rail as well as six total QD sling sockets at the front and rear along the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock axes.

Watchman 223LE Components

Rise makes a variety of bolt carrier groups in house, including both black nitride and nickel boron bolt carrier group options. However, for the 223LE Rise went with the black nitride version. The bolt and bolt carrier are both given a premium nitride coating, while the upper sports a Rise AR-15 charging handle with an extended latch. The lower receiver is equipped with an oversized triggerguard, anti-walk trigger pins and an ambidextrous safety. You’ll also find a Magpul CTR stock and MOE+ pistol grip. My only real gripe is that the Watchman 223LE doesn’t come with an ambidextrous bolt release. Otherwise, it’s a great rifle as is and can be further customized by the purchaser.

Finally, we have the star of the show: Rise Armament’s single-stage LE145 trigger. Rise is known for its triggers, and the LE145 was designed specifically for duty use. My Wheeler trigger pull gauge agreed with the manufacturer specs and put the break right at 4.5 pounds. The LE145 has minimal overtravel, virtually no creep and a short, fast reset for quicker follow-up shots. It has what I consider a very crisp, icicle-like break. Interestingly enough, most police agencies that I know of require a 4- to 4.5-pound trigger pull at a bare minimum. So, Rise Armament set the trigger right at the sweet spot. 

Duty Upgrades

Now it was time to make the Watchman 223LE “duty ready.” As a retired law enforcement officer, I chose what I thought was a proper balance for patrol use. Remember, a cop is going to have a bunch of gear on them already, and factoring in running and other physical activities, it’s best to follow the KISS principle here.

Backup sights are mandatory for most law enforcement agencies. Every shooter should know how to master their irons before moving on to an optic. For the Watchman, I chose a set of Diamondhead “Hole Shot” sights that deploy quickly, and if you need a fast, accurate shot up close, just level the apertures and utilize the round upper and horizontal bars for sighting. The more I use these sights, the more I really like them.

You can go several routes in terms of optics: a red dot, a prism sight or a variable-power scope. However, some agencies won’t allow their patrol officers to equip their rifles with a variable-power scopes. This is a shame, as scopes can be an invaluable tool in quickly discerning good guy from bad, etc. Now, I’m not talking about mounting a telescope on one’s rifle, but a simple 1-4X, 1-6X or at most a 1-8X scope. A police officer isn’t going to go playing “sniper.” It’s simply about proper target identification.

Time to Accessorize

My usual one-stop shop is Primary Arms, as it has pretty much everything under the sun anyway. Plus, the company has tremendously stepped up its optics game in recent years. I’ve had the opportunity to torture-test a few Primary Arms models that I’d trust my life with.

I’ve personally put Primary Arms’ 1-8x24mm PLx4 FFP scope through about as much abuse as a variable-power scope can take, and it’s still working. Besides, it’s got a lifetime warranty. As far as red dots go, I opted to utilize the Primary Arms SLx1 Compact 1-20 Prism Scope for this endurance test. It uses an etched ACSS Cyclops reticle. Personally, I’d feel comfortable running either optic on my patrol rifle.

To finish off how to make this rifle really shine, I added the Crimson Trace LiNQ system, which consists of rail-mounted light/laser module that is activated and controlled wirelessly by a dedicated pistol grip. The module houses a green laser and a 300-lumen light. And let me just say that this system is pretty robust and should be capable of handling the rigors of patrol work. I’m very confident in the LiNQ system’s capabilities, especially after seeing how well it held up to being used on my short-barreled AK after firing several cases of ammunition.

Born To Run

The Watchman 223LE handled very well on the range. Aesthetically, it’s an impressive-looking rifle, so I had high hopes for its performance. And it didn’t let me down. If any demons need to be exercised from a new rifle, they usually rear their ugly heads well before the 1,000-round count. For this Watchman 223LE, no exorcism was needed—just a good beating.

The mid-length gas system made for a much softer-shooting rifle, versus a carbine-length gas system. It was easy to shoot steel targets at distances from 300 to 400 yards, and I also achieved sub-MOA results with two different loads at 100 yards. To make things more complicated, I collected my accuracy results while semi-hunched over and leaning against my ATV—how a cop might shoot while utilizing their patrol vehicle for cover. IN other words, this rifle has the accuracy potential in the right hands.

The testing was conducted in single-digit temperatures. I took the rifle into my house and back out again to make it sweat. It rode in the front rifle rack of my ATV for “coyote duty,” and I never cleaned it throughout the evaluation. The Watchman 223LE didn’t stutter; it just took the abuse and kept on running.

The Watchman 223LE is sure to be a hit within the law enforcement community as well as for the rest of us commoners. For a smaller company to come out of the gates swinging like this, I’ve got high hopes for Rise Armament and its future offerings. Whether you use it on patrol, for home defense or competition, the Watchman 223LE is sure to impress.

For more information, visit risearmament.com.

Rise Armament Watchman 223LE Specifications

• Overall Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
• Caliber: .223 Wylde
• Overall Length: 33-36 inches
• Overall Weight: 6.44 pounds (empty)
• Stock: Magpul CTR
• Sights: None
• Action: Direct impingement semi-auto
• Finish: Matte black
• Overall Capacity: 30+1
• MSRP: $1,099

Performance: RISE ARMAMENT WATCHMAN 223LE

Load                                                   Velocity         Accuracy

• Black Hills 69 TMK                            2,837              1.20
• Federal American Eagle 75 TMJ      2,419              0.90
• Hornady 55 Frontier Match HP        3,818              1.80
• Hornady 75 Black BTHP                   2,498              0.90
• HSM 64 Power-Point                        3,540              1.10
• Hornady 75 Training BTHP               2,573              1.80
• Magtech 62 FMJ                               2,918              1.70
• Prvi Partizan 62 M855                      2,944              1.90
• Speer 75 Gold Dot                             2,483              1.50
• Wilson Combat 69 BTHP                  2,755              1.00

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best overall five-shot groups at 100 yards.

This article is from the April-May 2019 issue of Tactical Life magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com. For digital editions, visit Amazon.

Christensen Arms recently announced it won a contract from the South Carolina LE Division. The company will produce and deliver 410 variants of model CA-15 G2 rifles chambered in .223 Wylde.

Christensen Arms Awarded South Carolina LE Division Contract

“After a thorough evaluation and testing of many AR platform rifles, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has chosen the Christensen Arms CA due to its accuracy, reliability, and overall weight,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “This innovative equipment will update and standardize the agency’s rifle inventory for SLED’s law enforcement personnel.”

The Christensen Arms CA-15 G2, a custom built AR-style rifle, optimizes weight and accuracy by utilizing aerospace-grade composites in production, according to Christensen Arms. It features a matched receiver set with a contour-matching carbon-fiber handguard. It includes a Black Nitride finished bolt carrier group and a single-state match-grade trigger assembly. The retail model also comes with stainless steel or carbon-fiber barrel options.

“We’re looking forward to an excellent partnership,” said Jason Christensen, President of Christensen Arms. “The CA-15 G2 is a remarkable firearm and we’re very pleased that the men and women of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have chosen to carry it.”

For more information, visit christensenarms.com.

Christensen Arms CA-15 G2 Specifications

• Receiver: Billet 7075 Aluminum
• Bolt Carrier Group: Black Nitride Finish
• Overall Barrel Length: 16 inches
• Overall Weight: 5.8-5.9 pounds
• Twist Rate: 1:8
• Gas System: Direct Impingement
• MSRP: Starting at $1,749

My experience with Desert Tech goes back to the company’s beginnings, or earlier if you include my time shooting .338 Lapua Magnum rifles with the owner, Nick Young. So the Desert Tech MDR was a natural fit in my progression. But a little history first.

The Stealth Recon Scout (SRS) started as a discussion between us in the early 2000s. Now it’s one of the only bullpup precision rifles with any serious reach and credibility. It’s also extremely innovative and provides one of the fastest, easiest switch-barrel systems I’ve seen so far. Next came the Covert version of the rifle. After that was the Hard Target Interdiction (HTI), which is still the most consistently precise .50 BMG bullpup I’ve ever tested. The Desert Tech HTI in .375 CheyTac is also a treat.

Desert Tech MDR Details

Then Desert Tech unveiled its first carbine, the Micro Dynamic Rifle (MDR), back in 2014. Solely a select-fire .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO design at the time, it suffered some growing pains as the company tried to make it accept different barrels and calibers. That said, it was still quite innovative from the beginning thanks to its forward ejection and ambidextrous controls. It just needed a little tuning, and Nick Young set out to prove the doubters wrong.

In 2017, Desert Tech officially launched the production .308 version, as well as .223 Wylde conversion kits. The rifles worked well, and it seemed that most of the issues had subsided, though the MDR could still be picky with certain types of ammunition. That’s what I experienced when I used the rifle for a Follow Through Consulting course in Texas. The MDR ran flawlessly with Hornady’s 155- and 168-grain Black A-MAX ammunition. However, it sometimes failed to eject 175- to 178-grain rounds.

When the MDR was outfitted with a late prototype 5.56mm barrel and a 3D-printed ejection chute, it ran reliably with all kinds of ammunition as I completed a number of training courses over the next year. And when I was chosen to rank 17 different semi-auto rifles for Ballistic’s Best, the MDR finished in the top 10.

Desert Tech wasn’t done tinkering, however. It made changes to the bolt, extractor and ejector. Also, Desert Tech added a six-position gas valve for both .223 and .308 variants. Current production rifles and barrel conversions include all of these changes. However, older rifles can also be sent in for the appropriate upgrades. That’s what I did with my MDR, and after I got it back, it was time to see if the rifle was really ready for prime time.

.308 Testing

I have both .223 and .308 conversion kits for my MDR, and my first task at the range was starting with a “What’s in the ammo can?” test. After installing a Leupold VX-6HD scope, I loaded three 20-round .308 magazines with a variety of rounds ranging from CorBon’s 125-grain TMKs to Black Hills’ 178-grain ELD-Xs. Putting the gas valve on the fourth setting for shooting in adverse conditions, the MDR digested all 60 rounds and didn’t stop or slow down until I needed to reload. Empty cases spit forward to slightly different distances, but they all ejected nicely, even the steel cases. I then set the gas valve on the third setting (normal) and ran the rifle with a .30-caliber OSS Helix suppressor. The rifle just kept chugging along.

When I tested more conventional suppressors, I switched to the second gas valve setting, and everything but the 125-grain TMKs ran well. Yes, a lot of gas kicked out of the rifle, but it was still reliable. Then I switched the gas valve back to the third setting and installed an OSS BPR, and the rifle digested several hundred rounds of Hornady 155-grain American Gunner ammo without missing a beat, even in bad weather—pouring rain, hail and some snow—at Buck Doyle’s Follow Through Consulting range in Torrey, Utah.

.223 Setup

Next, I switched the MDR over to the .223 Wylde and replaced the Leupold VX-6HD with my favorite sighting system for this rifle: The Leupold LCO red-dot sight and D-EVO fixed 6X optic. This unique setup provides fast transitions from dot to optic without ever moving the rifle—you just shift your focus. Offset sights work on the MDR, too, but most mounts are designed for an AR, so lining the dot up with the bore axis requires some work. The LCO/D-EVO setup eliminates this.

.223 Testing

I used Ammo Inc.’s 60-grain V-MAX rounds to zero the LCO at 50 yards and the D-EVO at 200 yards. I then tested the rifle from 50 to 610 yards using the 60-grain V-MAXs as well as Hornady’s 62-grain Frontier FMJs. Out to 381 yards, the 62-grain rounds were spot on when I held the reticle’s 400-yard mark at the bottom of the 12-inch steel target. I placed the reticle at the top of target for the remaining distances. The 60-grain V-MAXs shot even flatter and were just as accurate.

Back home, I subjected the .223 Wylde version to the same test as the .308 with varying types of ammunition. To be fair, the MDR had yet to miss a beat, but the new parts should ensure proper operation. Here my ammunition consisted of some pretty slow 68- and 69-grain match rounds, 50- and 55-grain Black Hills TSXs and some very fast Superformance 75-grainers from Hornady. There were also some 55- to 62-grain FMJ rounds of unknown origin. Again, the MDR ran everything on the fourth gas valve setting, and almost everything on the third setting with an NG2 Defense MZLMAX installed.

When I switched to a 3D-printed Thermal Defense Bantam suppressor, the rifle was reliable with nearly everything on the second gas setting. This suppressor weighs only 8 ounces and is just 3.8 inches long, with backpressure similar to that of most conventional designs. Printed from 100-percent Iconel 718, it is about as tough as it gets, especially for its weight and length, and it keeps the bullpup quite handy.

Ambidextrous & Switching Barrels

The Desert Tech MDR offers the easiest switch-barrel capabilities I’ve encountered while being completely ambidextrous. Every control is ambidextrous right out of the box, including the charging handle, bolt, safety and magazine release. Both sides feature charging handles that can lock the action open as well as ejection ports.

You determine what side the rifle ejects from by placing a solid cover on one side and the ejection chute on the opposite side. Remove the ejection chute entirely and the rifle will kick casings out like a typical rifle. There’s also a magazine release positioned forward of the triggerguard, and another is centered on the magazine well. All of this is good for lefties, but more importantly, you can operate the MDR from almost any conceivable position, no matter your strong side.

Swapping barrels is simple and easy, requiring nothing more than a couple of Torx wrenches. I’ve accomplished this in the field several times; considering the rest of the MDR’s features, no competitor out there really comes close. Switching from the .308 to the .223 resulted in a 3-inch change in the point of impact (POI) using the Leupold VX-6HD. Removing and reinstalling the same barrel resulted in little to no change. You can carry everything you’d need to switch calibers in the field in one little pack.

Raging Bullpup

Other bullpups are out there, but none has proven as accurate as the MDR. I regularly stack 60- to 69-grain rounds at 100 yards with groups in the 0.6-inch range. This is one of the few carbines that shoots Black Hills 69-grain TMKs into groups tighter than an inch at 100 yards. At 300 yards, my groups are in the 2- to 2.5-inch range. The flat two-stage trigger helps. Designed for hard use, it’s no precision trigger. However, it is better out of the box than most standard “mil-spec” AR triggers. It’s also light-years ahead of its bullpup competition.

Configured in .308 using a flash suppressor, the MDR weighs just over 8 pounds; that’s about the same as most AR-10 rifles. It’s obviously a little heavier than most .223/5.56mm rifles, but you are getting a 16-inch barrel in a rifle that is about the same length as a 10-inch-barreled AR-15. The MDR’s weight is centered, with less over the barrel, so it carries lighter, but it’s all a tradeoff.

The .308 recoil is stout with a flash suppressor. Adding a brake helps, but that muzzle blast is closer to the shooter than with most rifles, so it isn’t particularly comfortable to shoot. Adding the OSS BPR does not change the length and eliminates blast with some recoil mitigation. The OSS HX-QD works really well, too, but then you add to the overall length. The perfect configuration for me is with the MDR set up in .223 Wylde with the MZLMAX. The gun is short, handy and incredibly accurate while being light on recoil.

The New and Improved Desert Tech MDR

Bullpups offer some real advantages. You get a compact rifle without the tax stamp, excess blast or gas, or the loss of ballistic efficiency that comes with short-barreled rifles. Being able to switch calibers is a bonus; and no other system lets you move from the .308 to the .223, and back again, on the same base platform. The MDR’s accuracy is excellent. This latest production version has proven to be just as reliable—or more so—than anything else out there. The changes made, mostly to the bolt and associated parts, seem to have created a truly dependable carbine capable of doing almost anything you would ever need it to do. You can order it in either .308 or .223. Conversion kits consist of the barrel, bolt, mag conversion (where needed) and magazine catch. For even more info, visit deserttech.com.

Desert Tech MDR Specs

• Caliber: .223 Wylde, .308 Winchester
• Barrel: 16.13 inches
• OA Length: 26.2 inches
• Weight: 8.3 pounds (empty)
• Stock: Synthetic
• Sights: None
• Action: Piston-operated semi-auto
• Finish: Flat Dark Earth
• Capacity: 30+1, 20+1
• MSRP: $2,274

This article is from the October/November 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Physical and digital copies are available at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

‘Tis the season to feel patriotic. We’re pulling out our GI Joe toys, cranking the national anthem to 11, and saluting our nation any way we can. With the Fourth of July upon us, it’s also a good time to highlight some patriotism as far as firearms go, and the RISE Armament Legacy Rifle jumps to the top of the list.

Before we get to the build itself, we should call out why this rifle stands out from the rest of the patriotic pack: Folds of Honor. A portion of each rifle purchase goes to Folds of Honor. In case you’re unfamiliar, the organization provides educational scholarships to children and spouses of those killed or disabled in combat. It’s a cause that should get everyone’s support. But let’s get to the rifle itself.

RISE Armament Legacy Rifle Details

The first thing that obviously stands out with the Legacy Rifle is the Cerakote pattern. There are several American flag-themed ARs on the market, but the color scheme on this one is the cleanest; it’s slightly faded, but still sleek.

RISE chambered the rifle in .223 Wylde. It features a boatload of RISE features. Let’s start with the barrel. RISE included its 416R stainless steel CB-160 barrel. The 16-inch barrel is popular among competitive shooters with its light weight leading the way. Then there’s the RISE Armament RA-902 Stinger Slimline handguard. It measures 15 inches and features M-LOK slots for attachments. It also has a short Picatinny rail system. Also included is the RISE Armament RA-701 Compensator. It reduces recoil by 67 percent, according to the company.

That’s all great — and it really is — but RISE is known for its triggers. RISE won Ballistic’s “Best AR Trigger” for 2019, so that should say enough. For the Legacy Rifle, RISE [appropriately] included its Patriot Trigger. It fits the build with its red, white, and blue American flag theme. It also features a crisp, 3.5-pound pull and a straight trigger blade.

Beyond that, the rifle also has some Magpul hardware, specifically the CTR Carbine Stock. For more information, please visit RISEArmament.com.

RISE Armament Legacy Rifle Specs

• Overall Length: 32.25 inches
• Barrel Length: 16 inches
• Weight: 6 pounds, 12 ounces
• MSRP: $1,899

So, who doesn’t love a fire-breathing demon at your fingertips, really? Especially when it’s a demon that you can grab by the horns, and take for a ride. Primary Weapons Systems calls its PWS MK107 MOD 2-M Pistol the “Diablo” for a reason. More on that in just a bit.

PWS is the American Dream. It started in a garage by owner and designer Dean Sylvester. At the time, Sylvester designed and made brakes and other related AK-47 parts. Then he had a revolutionary idea: Adapt the gas piston system of the ultra-reliable, battle proven AKM (AK-47) so it works on the AR-15. Thus, we now have an AR-15 with a three-position long-stroke gas piston operated system.

If you get lazy, you can even clean it about as often as you clean an AK … seriously. I’ve heard of a PWS MK116 with just more than 5,000 rounds down range with no cleaning, for endurance testing. Sounds about right, as I personally know of an AK with a higher round count and no cleaning, and it’s still going strong. I really don’t suggest it, but it is doable. The Paratrooper in me won’t allow any weapon I own to stay dirty for long. Proper weapons maintenance was beaten into us early on.

The Demonically Wonderful PWS MK107 Diablo

PWS originally designed the MK107 MOD 2-M “Diablo” AR Pistol as an alternative to the 9mm H&K MP5. The Diablo offers 5.56mm solutions out of a 7.75-inch nitrided barrel, while producing unquestionable reliability. One cannot ask for much more than that.

Taming the demon is the CQB Compensator, also designed and made by PWS. It literally makes follow-up shots that easy, even from a barrel this short. To help with accuracy, PWS uses a .223 Wylde barrel with a 1:8 twist; this allows the user to shoot both 5.56 and .223 Rem. with greater accuracy potential.

Both the upper and lower receivers are T6 7075 Forged aluminum. The MOD 2-M lowers are fully ambidextrous as well, which is great for us southpaws. Having an ambi lower for this project was a must. You can shoot strong and weak handed, as well as if you are wounded and only have one hand in the fight.

PWS chose a 6.9-inch handguard for the MK107 MOD 2-M. A very cool feature unique to PWS is the way it attach accessories. PWS came up with its own system called PicLok. It incorporates MLOK with a Picatinny rail, so one can utilize both.

Also, factory is the Radian Raptor ambidextrous charging handle. It’s my personal favorite charging handle, as it works great, doesn’t snag on equipment, and is easy to manipulate with either hand.

Other Additions

While the MK107 comes with a nice enough mil-spec trigger, I like to make things truly “mine.” Plus, I have come to really like some of the triggers offered from RISE Armament. This Diablo got the newer RISE “Blitz” single-stage drop-in trigger. It comes with anti-walk pins and a 3- to 3.5-pound pull. When RISE Armament says that it’s got an “icicle like” break, it isn’t kidding. It’s got a very crisp break.

The other addition to the MK107 was the Law Tactical Folding Brace Adapter. By adding a folder, the storage options just increased. One can stow it under a seat, in-between seats, or in some cases, even behind the seat. Think about it though, now you have the perfect “truck gun” that is your own personal fire-breathing pet demon. I’ve used Law’s folders on several builds and haven’t had an issue yet. They are the best thing going for a folding brace/stock option in my opinion.

SB Tactical sure needs no introduction, as they are the leaders in pistol braces that actually work as advertised. No modifications needed—imagine that! The SBA3 Pistol Brace is right at home on this little beast.

Optic Upgrade

While ordering another scope mount from American Defense Manufacturing, I noticed that it got into the red dot business. ADM now offers its very own dot called the SPEK. It has 10 daytime settings and three night vision settings. It also uses a commonly available AAA battery for power. I’ve been playing with it for a few months now and really like it. The battery is rated at five years, which is really nice. The SPEK comes with an ADM Titanium QD Mount that will grip a rail like a vice.

Interestingly enough, ADM also offers a 3X and 5X magnifiers called the FLIK. It pairs right up with the SPEK, but just wasn’t applicable for a build like this. If you can’t hit your target within 50 yards with a 7.75-inch barrel and a 1x power red dot, then you just might want to make peace with God, because you’re probably about to be sent on your way to meet him.

Range Time With the PWS MK107 Diablo

Good times! The PWS MK107 MOD 2-M is so much fun! Thanks to the soft-shooting PWS long stroke gas piston system, and its CQB Compensator, follow-up shots were easy enough to obtain. It’s a very accurate AR Pistol as well. At 50 yards I netted a 0.9-inch group using Hornady Critical Defense .223 Rem. 73gr. FTX. It also came screaming out of the business end of the barrel at 2,137 FPS.

I used a variety of magazines to check fit and function. There are no issues to report; everything worked exactly as intended. Out of approximately 500 rounds fired, I also had zero stoppages. Another surprising tidbit: The chamber wasn’t even that dirty. That’s hard to imagine for a barrel this short, so chalk it up to the long-stroke gas piston system that is the heart of every PWS AR.

It’s hard to find fault in a PWS AR. Then again, I was blessed to be given a tour of Primary Weapons Systems and saw firsthand how it designs and manufactures its products. If I had to say something negative, I’d say that it should have incorporated a sling swivel socket on each side of the Diablo’s handguard. That’s about all the negative I can find with this AR Pistol, if you could even call it a negative.

Final Thoughts

The PWS MK107 Mod 2-M is an exceptional truck gun, or personal defense gun in general. For home defense though, I’d invest in a sound suppressor so the whole family isn’t learning sign language after a burglary “attempt.”

Overall, it’s a great little AR Pistol. If you had one placed into your hands, you would probably want to take it home. Every trigger pull brought a smile, as the recoil impulse is very minimal. Couple that with the legendary reliability of Primary Weapons Systems, and you have a winner for sure. For even more info, please visit PrimaryWeapons.com.

PWS MK107 MOD 2-M “Diablo” Specs

• Caliber: .223 Wylde
• Barrel Length: 7.75 inches
• Barrel Twist 1:8
• Weight: 7.2 pounds (as equipped in article)
• Optic and Mount: American Defense Machining SPEK with Aluminum QD mount ($369.99)
• Trigger: Rise Armament BLITZ Drop-In Trigger ($199)
• MSRP: $2,099.95
• Complete Package: $2,668.94

PWS MK107 MOD 2-M “Diablo” Performance

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in FPS by Caldwell G2 Ballistic Precision Chronograph at 5 feet, and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groupings at 36 and 75 yards from standing modified support, using a Kopfjager K800 CF with Reaper Grip .

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, an AR-15 comes along that literally lets you see it all. Specifically, the Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA Amber Translucent AR-15 from American Tactical. The new rifle features translucent upper and lower receivers that allow the user to watch the action in action.

The American Tactical Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA Amber Translucent AR-15

Featuring an amber translucent polymer construction, the upper and lower receivers provide an insider look at your rifle’s components. As a result, you get a live view of the action—in action. Not to mention, this gives the Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA a unique and distinctive look that goes beyond the range.

Featuring a 16-inch ½ x 28 threaded barrel, with 1:8 twist, the translucent AR-15 provides optimized bullet stabilization. Correspondingly, chambered in .223 WYLDE, with a mid-length gas system, the rifle provides the added versatility of .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO accommodation. As a result, shooters enjoy greater accuracy, versatility, and reliability from both rounds.

Surrounding the barrel is a 15-inch M-LOK free-float handguard. The handguard has a full-length Picatinny rail that meets up with the rail on the upper receiver. Likewise, M-LOK slots surround its entire circumference. As a result, you can attach a full complement of optics, lights, grips, and other accessories.

The Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA Translucent AR-15 is shouldered via the Mission First Tactical Battlelink Utility low-profile stock. Designed for comfort and adaptability, the stock also includes a water-resistant storage compartment for storing critical gear.

Finally, the rifle ships with an American Tactical S60 556 60-round magazine with side window. So, the rifles components aren’t the only thing you get to see.

“The ATI Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA Amber Translucent represents the culmination of our relentless pursuit of firearm excellence,” said Tony DiChario, President of ATI.

“This rifle combines cutting-edge design, premium materials, and superb craftsmanship to deliver an extraordinary shooting experience. We are confident that firearm enthusiasts of all levels will appreciate the exceptional performance and stunning aesthetics of the OMNI HYBRID MAXX RIA Amber Translucent. Not only is it a top-performing rifle, it is a showpiece,” concluded DiChario.

Availability

The American Tactical Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA Amber Translucent AR-15 is available now with an MSRP of $599.99. For more info, please visit AmericanTactical.us.

American Tactical Omni Hybrid Maxx RIA Amber Translucent AR-15 Specs

Receivers: Omni Hybrid Amber Translucent Upper & Lower
Caliber: 223 Wylde
Barrel Length: 16” 1:8 Twist
Handguard: 15” MLOK
Stock: Mission First Tactical Battlelink Utility low-profile stock with water-resistant storage compartment
Magazine: S60 556 60 round
MSRP: $599.95

New to the game, Watchtower Firearms is making some serious waves in the industry. After the acquisition of F-1 Firearms, the veteran-owned company is focusing on the existing consumer market as well as military and law enforcement markets. A perfect example of what to expect from Watchtower is the Type 15M AR-15.

The Watchtower Type 15M

The Type 15M lays the groundwork for an “All American Made” premium forged line with its 7075-T651 forged aluminum receivers. Manufactured with enhanced tolerances, the rifle meets all military specifications. Likewise, the Type 15M features a 5.56 NATO Durabolt BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) with a black nitride finish.

A 13.7-inch S7M free-floating handguard houses the 16-inch barrel in your choice of .223 Wylde in stainless steel or 5.56 NATO cold hammer forged. The barrel features match-grade 1:8 rifling and 1/2×28 threading for attaching a suppressor or other muzzle device. However, a Mil-Spec A2 birdcage flash hider comes installed.

The handguard includes M-LOK slots down both sides and the bottom, with three slots at 11 and 1 o’clock. Likewise, a full-length Picatinny rail runs the top of the handguard and upper receiver. As a result, you can attach your choice of optics or other accessories.

The 15M features a Mil-Spec trigger, as well as a Mil-Spec charging handle and safety selector. Additionally, B5 Systems provides the furniture with the reinforced polymer Type 23 P-Grip and Bravo Stock. The 15M is available with Black Type III Anodized, Wolf Grey Cerakote, FDE Cerakote, or OD Green Cerakote finishes.

Availability

The Watchtower Type 15M is available now with MSRPs of $999.00 (.223 Wylde barrel) and $1,249.00 (5.56 NATO barrel). For more info, please visit WatchtowerFirearms.com.

Watchtower Type 15M Specs

Receiver: TYPE 15M 7075-T651 forged aluminum
Handguard: 13.7-inch S7M free-floating handguard
Barrel: 16-inch .223 Wylde match grade 1:8 rifling, black nitride finish
Muzzle Device: Mil-spec A2 birdcage flash hider
Bolt Carrier Group: 5.56 NATO Durabolt, black nitride finish
Trigger: Mil-spec
Safety Selector: Mil-spec
Charging Handle: Mil-spec
Grip: B5 Systems Type 23 P-grip
Stock: B5 Systems Bravo stock
Weight: 7 lbs.
Finishes: Black type III anodized or select from three cerakote colors: FDE, OD Green and Wolf Grey
MSRP: $999.00 (.223 Wylde barrel), $1,249.00 (5.56 NATO barrel)