TACCOM24 Sterling arms R18 mk3 .223

DerWeißeWolf said:
Noticeable uptick in MK2s for sale now. Looks like many are interested switching to the MK3.
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Yeah, that was to be expected. I got a bit of a jump on things and sold off my Mk2 two weeks ago in order to make room for a MK3. I would have preferred to keep both, but I simply do not have the room for even one "spare" rifle. Something unfortunately had to give....

In good news, I have been informed that I will have a pre-production Test Rifle in-hand on Thursday afternoon. You can expect a Part 1 Review based on First Impressions and a non-firing examination of the rifle's component parts to follow a few days later. The Part 2 Accuracy and Reliability Review based on live-firing will occur at a slightly later date (yet to be confirimed).
 
Bartok5 said:
Yeah, that was to be expected. I got a bit of a jump on things and sold off my Mk2 two weeks ago in order to make room for a MK3. I would have preferred to keep both, but I simply do not have the room for even one "spare" rifle. Something unfortunately had to give....

In good news, I have been informed that I will have a pre-production Test Rifle in-hand on Thursday afternoon. You can expect a Part 1 Review based on First Impressions and a non-firing examination of the rifle's component parts to follow a few days later. The Part 2 Accuracy and Reliability Review based on live-firing will occur at a slightly later date (yet to be confirimed).
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Looking forward to this!!
 
Bartok5 said:
The Mk3 is approximately 1/2 lb lighter than the Mk2. I will have an exact weight for you when I receive my test rifle later this month.
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Looking forward to your evaluation sir.

I'm excited about this. The mcx inspired bolt carrier and ejection port cover are looking very nice. And so is the price point. I'd get one as soon as they go up for sale. I bet they won't be able to crank em out as fast as people want em. If they do, they're flying off the shelves.

Looks well engineered with upgraded materials and anodizing, i bet it feels like an HK.
 
Bartok5 said:
Yeah, that was to be expected. I got a bit of a jump on things and sold off my Mk2 two weeks ago in order to make room for a MK3. I would have preferred to keep both, but I simply do not have the room for even one "spare" rifle. Something unfortunately had to give....

In good news, I have been informed that I will have a pre-production Test Rifle in-hand on Thursday afternoon. You can expect a Part 1 Review based on First Impressions and a non-firing examination of the rifle's component parts to follow a few days later. The Part 2 Accuracy and Reliability Review based on live-firing will occur at a slightly later date (yet to be confirimed).
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I look forward to your review. I handled the Mk3 at Taccom and found it very lightweight. Good ergonomics and the trigger was very light and crisp. If they do indeed bring this to market for $1800 then there will definitely be a space in my safe for one.
 

7.6 lbs (8:34 mark)

Not sure which video it was but there was also mention of reverting back to the pencil barrel. This and the new gas system are the only two things that will hold me back at first. Accuracy of the original Mk2 w/ pencil barrel was not great.
 
I hope their delivery dates are accurate.

We have all seen these promises before, November 2025 may be a more realistic date. Yes, I do hope I am wrong.

But..........
 
ZeusDragon said:
7.6 lbs (8:34 mark)

Not sure which video it was but there was also mention of reverting back to the pencil barrel. This and the new gas system are the only two things that will hold me back at first. Accuracy of the original Mk2 w/ pencil barrel was not great.
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The Pencil Barrel was inaccurate on the Mk 2 because that firearm employed a Rifle-Length Gas System, which directly interfered with the natural Barrel harmonics and therefore accuracy. That is why a medium-weight Barrel was ultimately sold with the R18 Mk2. The entire point of reducing the length of the Gas System down to Carbine length on the R18 Mk3 is to enhance the rifle's inherent accuracy, thereby allowing the successful use of a Pencil Barrel again. The Pencil Barrel provides necessary weight savings and balance to the R18 Mk3. Pencil Barrels need not be any less accurate than a heavy match-grade tube, provided that they are correctly stress-relieved so that groups do not expand and/or wander as the Barrel (quickly) heats up.
 
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Bartok5 said:
The Pencil Barrel was inaccurate on the Mk 2 because that firearm employed a Rifle-Length Gas System, which directly interfered with the natural Barrel harmonics and therefore accuracy. That is why a medium-weight Barrel was ultimately sold with the R18 Mk2. The entire point of reducing the length of the Gas System down to Carbine length on the R18 Mk3 is to enhance the rifle's inherent accuracy, thereby allowing the successful use of a Pencil Barrel again. The Pencil Barrel provides necessary weight savings and balance to the R18 Mk3. Pencil Barrels need not be any less accurate than a heavy match-grade tube, provided that they are correctly stress-relieved so that groups do not expand and/or wander as the Barrel (quickly) heats up.
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Agreed with your comments on accuracy of pencil barrels and conditions but the rationale for the shorter gas system from what I saw in the video (gotta rewatch everything again to find it) was to be able to maintain the same design in the 12.5" restricted version as well. Perhaps kills two birds with one stone also allowing for better accuracy from a lightweight 18.6" barrel but that wasn't the reasoning behind the change, at least as not per the one specific comment I am recalling.
 
ZeusDragon said:
Agreed with your comments on accuracy of pencil barrels and conditions but the rationale for the shorter gas system from what I saw in the video (gotta rewatch everything again to find it) was to be able to maintain the same design in the 12.5" restricted version as well. Perhaps kills two birds with one stone also allowing for better accuracy from a lightweight 18.6" barrel but that wasn't the reasoning behind the change, at least as not per the one specific comment I am recalling.
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25:10 mark SAI rep mentions the carbine length enables shorter barrels
 
ZeusDragon said:
Agreed with your comments on accuracy of pencil barrels and conditions but the rationale for the shorter gas system from what I saw in the video (gotta rewatch everything again to find it) was to be able to maintain the same design in the 12.5" restricted version as well. Perhaps kills two birds with one stone also allowing for better accuracy from a lightweight 18.6" barrel but that wasn't the reasoning behind the change, at least as not per the one specific comment I am recalling.
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Watch the "Ballistically Speaking" video, timestamp 10:20. There were a number of things accomplished by adopting a Carbine-length Gas System. It allows shorter Barrel lengths, yes. But it also reduces overall weight of the rifle and improves the balance/handling. Then there is the issue of a Long Piston causing Barrel Whip, which messed with the natural Barrel harmonics and resulted in poor accuracy, necessitating a heavier than desired Barrel in the R18 Mk2. The Mk3 seeks to rectify this with a properly stress-relieved 18.6" Pencil Barrel on the Carbine-length Gas System.


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Bartok5 said:
Watch the "Ballistically Speaking" video, timestamp 10:20. There were a number of things accomplished by adopting a Carbine-length Gas System. It allows shorter Barrel lengths, yes. But it also reduces overall weight of the rifle and improves the balance/handling. Then there is the issue of a Long Piston causing Barrel Whip, which messed with the natural Barrel harmonics and resulted in poor accuracy, necessitating a heavier than desired Barrel in the R18 Mk2. The Mk3 seeks to rectify this with a properly stress-relieved 18.6" Pencil Barrel on the Carbine-length Gas System.
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Too short gas system on longer barrel also could do harm (Bren 2 conversions come to mind, though crazy barrel attachment to receiver also plays the role). Usually designers either have calculations and velocity graphs for components or just roll with proven systems for given length of the barrel. For Mk3 with changes in its piston system - I can't know if SA did they calculation or just rolled with design changes based on their experience, so I will remain skeptical until hopefully we see some tests from you and other users.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there could be no strict conclusion that shorter gas system is definitely beneficial. It might be and it might be not.
Interesting that WK180 Gen 3 went ahead with increasing the length of the gas system. While both Mk3 and WK180 are piston guns, they are still very different so it is even quite possible that both will achieve improvements by doing opposite changes to the gas system length.
 
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