Sterling Arms International R18 Mk3 Part 1 Review - Specifications and Initial Impressions

scianna54 said:
I am kinda stuck with your comment about this being a prototype and tolerance issues from a rifle being mostly manufactured in Turkey. I appreciate your honesty but this is buyers beware.
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They will have QC issues because of that, it's inevitable. But will they be worse than the Canadian MFGs that are trying to do things so fast and cheap because of higher operating costs that it causes the QC issues they have been known for? We'll find out I guess.
 
Horilka said:
As always excellent review with tons of helpful information for gunnutz. Thank you, Mark.

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So it is very similar to MCX. As I understand carrier movement is supported and guided in the following way: part 1 (btw, is it plastic or metal) is secured in the rear position and provide rear support for guide rods. Front support is provided by part 2, that is secured in the 8-shaped channel of the upper. As carrier moves back on the guide rods it is supported and guides by both 2 and its own round shape 3 in the matching round receiver walls. If that is the case - area of contact between steel carrier parts 2 and 3 and aluminum receiver is huge, giving it a little chance of significant wear. It's a proven design and I like it very much.

Actually I like almost everything, and I have only couple of areas of concern or things I don't like and they quite minor:
- short gas system has to deal with higher pressure and while no doubts it can be tamed effectively (and they do have effective excessive gas bleeding design), still I am a bit concerned.
- absence of gas regulator. Sad that many gun owner can't use it and were the reason behind its removal. Normal, adverse and suppressed position gas regulator is something I would expect to see on modern gun.
- 2 screws to remove handguard to access gas system for cleaning - can be resolved either by gas system accessible for cleaning without HG removal or tool less HG removal

Of course we will see how this rifle works to make final conclusions.
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Thanks for the kind words! I do try...

As for your observations/concerns, I offer the following:

1. The self-regulatin̈g Gas Block has no difficulty venting excess gas. Gas moves 5x faster than the bullet, so the exponential increase in venting capacity offered by the conical shape of the Piston and Gas Block permits very rapid venting and an associated pressure drop as the Piston begins its rearwards travel..

2. HK 416 and G36 do not make use of a multi-position Gas Regulator because such settings are not necessary with the self-regulating Gas Block. The rifle automatically adjusts the amount of gas pressure that goes into operating the action, regardless of suppressed or non-suppressed, fouled or clean.

3. The Handguard requires only the bottom Bolt to firmly attach it to the rifle HK MR556/416 style. The top Indexing Screw should be omitted (belt AND suspenders) in favour of just the bottom Bolt. The Bolt needs to be reconfigured from a 5mm Hex interface to something that allows a field-expedient solution like the HK 416 with its slot for the Bolt Lug to engage, turning the rifle's Bolt into the Handguard Removal Tool!
 
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Thanks for the review Mark. This rifle looks like a breath of fresh air compared to the other 180 offerings. Look like a LOT of thought went in to this and it wasn't just slapped together to get to market. I will be looking forward to seeing what other options are available during the inital release.
 
Mark,

Does it look difficult to replace the selector with an ambi one? As it’s using a Trigger Tech Duty any AR selector should work with it?

Thanks
 
Yuu said:
How and what part breaks?
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Some purchasers of the R18 Mk2 got rifles with an inadequate epoxy securing the magnet in its hole in the Upper Receiver. Once the issue came to the attention of SAI's Customer Service staff, the epoxy was suitably upgraded so as to remedy the problem.

I don't work for SAI, so I cannot speak to the repeated failures described in this thread. To my knowledge the problem of loose Charging Handle magnets has long since been resolved so that it is no longer an issue.
 
kporebski said:
Would you recommend it over the LTAC Raven ?
Looking on picking up something over the next few months but having a hard time deciding..
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That is a very personal decision that only you can decide for yourself. Some folks like Fords, others are Chevy fans, and still others dig Dodge! The best advice that I can give you is to try to attend a range (ideally) or a gun store with both rifles in stock. Handle them, try the Actions and the Triggers, shoulder the firearm and see if all of the key controls are easily reached and activated, and then decide for yourself. Nobody can decide for you! My next best advice is to simply buy both. There - problem solved!

The LTAC Raven and the SAI R18 Mk2 are both quality firearms. You won't go wrong either way....
 
Bartok5 said:
That is a very personal decision that only you can decide for yourself.
The LTAC Raven and the SAI R18 Mk2 are both quality firearms. You won't go wrong either way....
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Originally was between the LTAC Raven and the X95, but the bullpup style didn't sit well with me. Now with all these new releases at TACCOM, there's now more NR goodies to choose from - R18 MK3, WK180 Gen 3 and CA Crypto.
I'm leaning towards the Raven right now, but anytime I think of ordering one their upcharge for basic features makes me hesitate :eek:
Maybe one day I'll get a chance to handle both of them and make a decision that way but that seems unlikely..
 
Haha at first is was shocked by the dismal sounding 2.5 MOA claim. But then later read that was a maximum and with 10 rounds.
 
Mark,

Thanks again for taking a look and confirming that ar15 compatible selectors should work.

I’m looking forward to your opinions after your part 2
 
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