Sterling Arms International R18 Mk3 Part 1 Review - Specifications and Initial Impressions
- Thread starter Bartok5
- Start date
Contact me by DM and let's set up a meet-up at the range. That way, you can take her for a spin and help me out with accuracy testing. It would be great to have another person's shooting results in addition to my own!
I won't have a Pre-Production rifle for test driving for a few weeks yet. Once I get it I will let you know by DM.
New Recommendations for improvement have been incorporated into Part 3 of the Initial Review. The points include a folding Charging Handle, eliminating the small Handguard Take-Down Screw, make the main Takedown Bolt for the Handguard "Tool-less", and make the side-folding Buttstock Adapter (seen in the TFBTV video o. The AKDAS "SAM" rifle) factory standard.
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The R18 Mk3 as it ships from Sterling Arms International (SAI)
INTRODUCTION
A Sterling Arms International (SAI) R18 Mk3 Pre-Production 5.56mm semi-automatic Test Rifle caused quite a positive stir amongst those Canadian Gunnutz fortunate enough to attend the annual TACOM show earlier this month in Ontario. The rifle’s svelte lines and Hard-Coat Anodizing with painted pictogram markings evoked comparisons to the appearance of Heckler and Kock products, among some show attendees, which was quite a compliment. One can only hope that the new rifle from SAI performs as good as it looks in terms of reliability, accuracy and high-round-count durability. This initial pre-firing inspection will provide details of the changes and improvements made to the rifle while offering up some experience-based impressions and observations. A Part 2 will be published at a later date in which the results of test-firing will be discussed in terms of accuracy achieved and the reliability experienced. While by no means exhaustive, these two Reviews ought to give the curious, prospective customer a jump-start in learning about the R18 Mk3 and the benefits that it brings to the table for Canadians in search of a modern utility and sporting rifle.
Receiver Close-Up with Markings
DISCLAIMER
I am friends with the Chief Designer of the R18 series of modern sporting and utility rifles, Mr. James R. Cox – who also happens to own “The Shooting Edge” Indoor Range and Gun Shop in Calgary, and a similar set-up called “Target Sports” in Gormley, Ontario. “JR” as he likes to be known, has entered into a business arrangement with SAI who are responsible for the manufacture of the rifles to be marketed in both Canada and Internationally with a strong secondary focus on international markets. The R18 Mk3 represents a significant change to the manufacturing process for the new firearm, taking advantage of low workforce wages in other nations to manufacture superior parts and assemblies on robotic Computer Numerically-Controlled machinery to exacting international ISO standards in order to improve the product, hold tighter tolerances, incorporate superior materials and perhaps most important – reduce the MSRP by 30% from $2700 CAD to a mere $1800 CAD! The R18 Mk3 will rely upon overseas component manufacture with Canadian assembly and Quality Control checks (to include test-firing). Although supply chain issue could complicate production and sales timelines, there is no disputing the cost savings associated with the move to offshore manufacture. It simply had to be done in order to keep costs reasonable for the R18 Mk3 customer base. Once production ramps up to full capacity the projected output (subject to change) will be 200 rifles per month.
Notwithstanding my positive relationship with the rifle’s Chief Designer and my role as a consultant during preparation of the FRT Submission, it is my intention to provide a non-biased Review of the R18 Mk3, perceived warts and all (if any). To do otherwise would compromise my integrity and perform a disservice to the members of this Discussion Forum, which is never my intent.
Subdued SAI Logo – Right Side, Magazine Well
DESCRIPTION
The R18 Mk2 is a short-stroke, gas-operated, shoulder-controlled, semi-automatic, modern sporting and utility rifle that is assembled and test-fired in Canada. It makes use of a Carbine-Length Gas System and a properly stress-relieved Medium-weight Barrel in order to reduce Barrel-whip, enhance the rifle’s balance and to reduce overall weight by over ½ lb. The Mk3 continues to make use of standard, AR15 STANAG Magazines, having been design-finalized prior to 15 December 2023, the coming into force date for Bill C21. The Mk3 features a Melonite-lined Chamber and Bore, as well as a stainless steel Piston, Rod, Bolt and Cam Pin for corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance.
Ejection Port with stainless steel Bolt, Dust Cover and Cartridge Case Deflector
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Name R18 Mk3 R18 Mk2 Caliber 5.56 mm ( 7.62x39 mm, .300 Blackout to follow) .223 Wylde Barrel Material AISI-SAE 4140 CrMo4 Steel AISI-SAE 4150 CrMo4 Steel Barrel Finish Exterior – Matte Black Gas Nitride
Interior - MeloniteGas Nitride Receiver Material 7075 T6 Aluminum Alloy 6061 T6 Aluminum Alloy Muzzle 1/2-28 TPI Threaded 1/2 - 28 TPI Threaded Muzzle Device SAI 5.56mm Muzzle Brake Various Dust Cover Plastic – Strike Industries Clip on style Nil Magazine Capacity Options Fits standard 5 round STANAG magazines Fits standard 5 round STANAG magazineS Brass Deflector Bolted on Upper Receiver Milled on Upper Receiver Barrel Length 18.6 ” (472mm) 18.6 " (472 mm) Buttstock Attachment 1913 Picatinny – 3 slot with QD Sling Swivel port 1913 Picatinny – 3 Slot Total Length (Without Stock) min. 28.7” 730 mm N/A Total Length (With Stock Collapsed) min. 37.8” 960 mm min. 37.75" 95.88mm Total Length (With Stock Extended) 40.8”
1037 mmmin. 40.7" 1035mm Weight (Without Stock) min. 3120 gr (6.38 lb) N/A Weight (With Stock) min. 3620 gr (7.97 lb) (Without Magazine) min 3730 gr (8.3 lbs) (without Magazine) Weight of Stock min. 500 gr (1.1 lb) Min. 500 gr (1.1 lb) Method of Operation Short-Stroke, Gas Piston action, Rotating Stainless Steel Bolt, Locking Head Short-Stroke, Gas Piston action, Rotating Bolt, Locking Head Type of Piston System Carbine Length, Stainless Steel Piston and Rod Rifle Length Mode of Operation Semi- Automatic ONLY Semi- Automatic ONLY Fire Selector Position Left Side Only Ambidextrous Trigger Pull Force 3.5 lb Single Stage Cartridge type (TriggerTech) 33.5 lb Single Stage Cartridge type (TriggerTech) Mechanical Safety Firing Pin Safety on Bolt Carrier None Height approx. 7.76” (197 mm) approx. 7.76" (197mm) Width (without charging handle) approx 2.16” (55 mm) approx 2.25" (58 mm) Accuracy (5.56mm) 2.5 MOA with commercial high quality ammunition 2.5 MOA with commercial, high- quality ammunition Muzzle Velocity Minimum 928 m/s (3225 ft/s) with Standard 55gr M193 Ball 5.56mm ammo. Data to be added once testing in alternate calibers is completed Minimum 825 m/s (2700ft/s) with Standard .223 Rem 55gr ammo Barrel Profile (5.56mm) 1:7” 6 grooves right hand twist, “Medium” profile 1:8' 6 grooves right hand twist
To be Continued......
| Weight (With Stock) | min. 3620 gr (7.97 lb) (Without Magazine) | min 3730 gr (8.3 lbs) (without Magazine) |
Looking back over this again wondering if the medium profile barrel you have in-hand is indicative of the final production model? All the coverage on this so far has stated this version is ~0.5lb lighter and one even stated it would be 7.6lbs while you're reporting just 0.3lb reduction. A pencil barrel would shave at least 5 more ounces off brining the weight closer to the stated 1/2lb reduction and coming in around 7.6.
I just weighed Prototype #9 on my US Postal Meter digital scale, without magazine. The weight that I recorded is 8.1 lb / 3.7 kg. Do with that what you will, however I believe that the weight for the Mk2 recorded in the Spec Chart is incorrect. For some reason, 8.7 lb rings a bell (vice 8.3 lb), but I no longer have a Mk2 to weigh. If I am correct, that would equal the .5 lb (.6 lb actually) difference quoted by JR Cox in the videos. As an aside, the weights for the Mk2 given in my Part 1 Review of that rifle were erroneous (7.9 lb / 3.6 kg) on the light side. Reality is that the Mk2 is heavier than the Mk3, not lighter....
Anyone out there with a Mk 2 care to strip it of accessories and weigh it bare on a decent scale?
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I think you are correct on Mk2 listed weight being the difference due to some error or version control issue. The listed specs from the SAI R18 MK2B User’s manual – ENGLISH – version 2.0 FINAL copy below:
3. SPECIFICATIONS
Weight
Rifle without Magazine:
3.54 Kg
7.8 Lbs
Rifle with Loaded Magazine (5 rounds of 55gr ammunition)
3.76 Kg
8.3 Lbs
If the Raven didn't exist this would really be a non-issue but there is a lot of allure to being able to shoot a quality lightweight 556 rifle.
3. SPECIFICATIONS
Weight
Rifle without Magazine:
3.54 Kg
7.8 Lbs
Rifle with Loaded Magazine (5 rounds of 55gr ammunition)
3.76 Kg
8.3 Lbs
If the Raven didn't exist this would really be a non-issue but there is a lot of allure to being able to shoot a quality lightweight 556 rifle.
Watched all the taccom videos on this thing... really exciting to think that we might finally be getting a quality semi in Canada... and one that is worth the $$$ ta boot. Definitely looking forward to the range report. I loved hearing their rep at taccom saying that they are not beta testing on their customers... that in itself is basically unheard of in Canadian gun manufacturing... we are always the guinni-pigs. Targeting minimum 5000 test rounds on each of their test rifles is music to my ears. And $900 below the old MK2... had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming when he said that. Praying that this thing performs well because ima get me one Stat. Thanks very much for such a thorough writeup on this new and exciting release Bartok5.
good job bartok
Thanks!
Please try this with RRA, C Products, and Cross mags, these are the most abundant pistol mags in Canada, most of the time when MFT mags work, feed and drop free, the RRA, C Products and Cross mags don't work
Looking forward to the live fire review
This price point is very VERY attractive
The "turkey' leavs a sour taste in mouth
But I going off my experience with Turkish made semi auto shotguns, which are all garbage in my books
Thanks for this
Looking forward to the live fire review
This price point is very VERY attractive
The "turkey' leavs a sour taste in mouth
But I going off my experience with Turkish made semi auto shotguns, which are all garbage in my books
Thanks for this
As I posted in another thread, this isn't Sterling partnering with your average back alley/garage Turkish shotgun cloner. Akdas is a military supplier of small arms, like grenade launchers. Although this is their first foray into the rifle space, they have experience meeting the quality and dependability for military contracts. The fact they found the improved R18 MK3 design they worked on with Sterling worthy of reproducing the essential action in their own AR-15-esque rear charging SAM rifle and then present at that the premiere European firearms show gives me some hope the R18 MK3 will be a quality firearm. Time will tell.
If you send me RRA, C Products and/or Cross Mags, I will happily test them. I don't claim to have every magazine known to mankind within my modest holdings of STANAG bullet-holders. I tested and listed what I have. I will leave the remainder for you to validate before you buy when the rifles hit dealer shelves.
Turkey is a leader in robotic CNC machining to International ISO standards. AKDAS, the company producing the R18's main components, is a long-established defense contractor - the Turkish equivalent of Daniel Defense, Knight's Armament, or Lewis Machine and Tool. They specialized in manufacturing grenade launchers prior to establishing a partnership with SAI to produce the R18 Mk3 major components and their complete "SAM" variant of the mature R18 design. They now produce the "SAM" rifle for their own domestic and foreign markets. ADKAS is a real small arms factory with professional defence engineering capability. They are not just some rinky-dinky Turkish garbage "clone" shotgun manufacturer....
Excellent write up. It’s helping me get through this night shift.
Nice comparison chart between mk3 and mk2. Minor correction suggestion. I’m guessing the 33.5 pound trigger for the mk2 is a typo? I laughed!
The super safe trigger.
“ 33.5 lb Single Stage Cartridge type (TriggerTech)”
Nice comparison chart between mk3 and mk2. Minor correction suggestion. I’m guessing the 33.5 pound trigger for the mk2 is a typo? I laughed!
The super safe trigger.“ 33.5 lb Single Stage Cartridge type (TriggerTech)”
LOL - Super Safe indeed! Typo fixed, thanks for the laugh!Excellent write up. It’s helping me get through this night shift.
Nice comparison chart between mk3 and mk2. Minor correction suggestion. I’m guessing the 33.5 pound trigger for the mk2 is a typo? I laughed!
“ 33.5 lb Single Stage Cartridge type (TriggerTech)”
Yes, no issues.
I have recieved a response back from JR Cox regarding my recommended R18 Mk 3 upgrades and minor fixes. Here are the details:
1. Folding Charging Handle. Sterling cannot do this for the launch based on cost. They are working on an FN C1/L1 style of folder, but the cost to produce that is approximately $30-50 right now. That would add $100 to the rifle's MSRP. By comparison, the current handle costs $3. The likely outcome will be a Folding Charging Handle offered as a User-Install upgrade, sold as an add-on accessory.
2. Top Handguard Index Screw. SAII is working on a prototype that will have the Top Indexing Tab slide into a dovetail. This would allow elimination of the top screw. This amendment may be possible for the R18 Mk3 launch, or at worst will occur during one of the first few batches. This change could roll out when ready, as it doesn’t negate the current offering.
3. Tool-Less Handguard Bolt. SAI will look at the HK system of using a Locking Lug on the Bolt-Head to mate with a special recess in the Handguard Bolt's Head.
4. Folding Buttstock. SAI are already working on a redesign of the AKDAS Buttstock adapter to allow a side-folding stock. Right now, the R18's side-cocking mechanism interferes with the AKDAS Buttstock when folded. SAI is really keen to provide more fun factory stock options and are encouraged by the comparatively lower cost of injection-moulding in Turkey than elsewhere.
5. HK-Compatible Barrel Nut. SAI will look at adopting the HK pattern for their Barrel Nut, which is alrady very close to the HK dimensions.
1. Folding Charging Handle. Sterling cannot do this for the launch based on cost. They are working on an FN C1/L1 style of folder, but the cost to produce that is approximately $30-50 right now. That would add $100 to the rifle's MSRP. By comparison, the current handle costs $3. The likely outcome will be a Folding Charging Handle offered as a User-Install upgrade, sold as an add-on accessory.
2. Top Handguard Index Screw. SAII is working on a prototype that will have the Top Indexing Tab slide into a dovetail. This would allow elimination of the top screw. This amendment may be possible for the R18 Mk3 launch, or at worst will occur during one of the first few batches. This change could roll out when ready, as it doesn’t negate the current offering.
3. Tool-Less Handguard Bolt. SAI will look at the HK system of using a Locking Lug on the Bolt-Head to mate with a special recess in the Handguard Bolt's Head.
4. Folding Buttstock. SAI are already working on a redesign of the AKDAS Buttstock adapter to allow a side-folding stock. Right now, the R18's side-cocking mechanism interferes with the AKDAS Buttstock when folded. SAI is really keen to provide more fun factory stock options and are encouraged by the comparatively lower cost of injection-moulding in Turkey than elsewhere.
5. HK-Compatible Barrel Nut. SAI will look at adopting the HK pattern for their Barrel Nut, which is alrady very close to the HK dimensions.
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