So, is the RFB all that we thought it'd be?
- Thread starter peter2772000
- Start date
CarbineOne
Regular
It's entirely possible, I'm not saying my experience is writ for all RFB's, merely that I have not had success even toying with the platform. It is a new gun, and as all guns do, they will mature.
For my purposes as a .308 run and gun carbine, it is not reliable enough. My SR-25 satisfies that requirement, it even runs MFS 145gr. 308win just fine (pouring KFC fryer runoff into a Ferrari, I know, but I had to try).
Not a single failiure to function with mine. I am impressed with accuracy, quality, compactness, low recoil etc. It is complicated to strip and mounting an optic is finicky if you want to get it really comfortable Don't like the way ejected brass marks the barrel but apart from that its great
Im in love with mine. Gotta do some accuracy testing, but it fires very well from a supported position. I can hit the 300 meter gong all day long. Thats good enough for me. I also get a decent grouping standing at 100 meters.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
That's what my guess would be. IMO 95% (yes, I did just make that number up
) of failures in rifles like the RFB, AR15, etc. are either magazine, ammo or maintenance related. All three of those are readily and easily remedied. Also, I would ask if the gas system was adjusted properly, because if it's not, you will have issues. I remember when I was at the range and got to try Jay's RFB, the gas system had to be turned up around 1/4 turn to run reliably with the Federal blue box .308 SP that I had with me.
CarbineOne
Regular
One of them was probably magazines, I couldn't tell because we only had one to test (and it was obvious whomever pinned the mags took a few attempts to get it right...)
One lifted the shells right into the actual ejection tube feed ramp, essentially necking the brass out (to a square). Rammed them very hard into it. Required field stripping to actually clear the malfunction.
Another was either short stroking, or the op rod was getting caught on something. It would eject fine, but would sometimes half feed the following round. Hand feeding while rough, was functional.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Maybe the gas setting was too high for the ammunition being used?
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=552746&highlight=RFB
10 shot 145 Russian surplus ammo results are posted in that thread as well. It's worth reading the entire thread.
I have some of that surplus stuff, and I've loaded up 40 Berger 168 with Varget 43.4 grains. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get out to the range for a while.
Other issues with the RFB. When benching I suspect that little lip at the front of the handguard may cause the recoil to slide the rifle back and up when firing. I'll be checking out shooting this rifle off a bipod.
Some other tips, soak it in G96 so you don't have the break in stuff to go through, and use a high grade oil on the contact surfaces. Also turn down the gas system as low as it will go while reliably functioning. About +5 to +8 seems to be good. With the higher you can go the better. This way the force from the action is only as much as needed and less vibration/harmonic issues are present.
AR mounts also work great with this. I have a Burris quick release which is cost effective and works well with the RFB.
My rifle came with the 5 round magazine. I've had zero failures so far. I'll be looking at the RRA polymer mags as well later on.
So far I like for what it is. I'm partial to the AR10 platform but the RFB is handy and a lot more practical for off hand shooting especially in 200 yards or less ranges. The RFB isn't a precision rifle. One MOA maybe slightly less is obtainable once you find the right ammo. 1.5 moa seems to be the norm though with good ammo. Finding the right ammo is still a work in progress. Although it's off to a good start.
10 shot 145 Russian surplus ammo results are posted in that thread as well. It's worth reading the entire thread.
I have some of that surplus stuff, and I've loaded up 40 Berger 168 with Varget 43.4 grains. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get out to the range for a while.
Other issues with the RFB. When benching I suspect that little lip at the front of the handguard may cause the recoil to slide the rifle back and up when firing. I'll be checking out shooting this rifle off a bipod.
Some other tips, soak it in G96 so you don't have the break in stuff to go through, and use a high grade oil on the contact surfaces. Also turn down the gas system as low as it will go while reliably functioning. About +5 to +8 seems to be good. With the higher you can go the better. This way the force from the action is only as much as needed and less vibration/harmonic issues are present.
AR mounts also work great with this. I have a Burris quick release which is cost effective and works well with the RFB.
My rifle came with the 5 round magazine. I've had zero failures so far. I'll be looking at the RRA polymer mags as well later on.
So far I like for what it is. I'm partial to the AR10 platform but the RFB is handy and a lot more practical for off hand shooting especially in 200 yards or less ranges. The RFB isn't a precision rifle. One MOA maybe slightly less is obtainable once you find the right ammo. 1.5 moa seems to be the norm though with good ammo. Finding the right ammo is still a work in progress. Although it's off to a good start.
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Mininum here in this godforsaken province is .240, actually. I know, it sucks to be Petey....
Question. Whazzup with sellers like greeneytippy selling his RFB for a coupla $ more than a brand-spankin' new one? I just priced out a BNIB from Frontier at less than $2600 shipped. Yet Greeney is selling his used one for $2600 + shipping. Bloody strange.
When there's around a years wait list for one, you can sell it for what it cost new. Low round count, and his was threaded with a flash hider. So if you want one now, that's your only choice. Otherwise get on the waiting list and then go have it threaded while adding a flash hider or compensator. The price doesn't seem out of line to me for the current circumstances.
Bought it ex an experiment for a close quarter gun - the concept does work well but operating cost is a bit too high for proficiency to use in that role.
You are always welcome to buy a new one at $2712 after tax in Ontario. Next you can ship it out to a shop for a week or two to have it threaded and let CP #### with it for another week in transit. After that, spend the time and money to look for a 762 flashsuppressor. Finally, find the range time and piss away 40 bucks in ammo to adjust the gas system and break it in.
You are always welcome to buy a new one at $2712 after tax in Ontario. Next you can ship it out to a shop for a week or two to have it threaded and let CP #### with it for another week in transit. After that, spend the time and money to look for a 762 flashsuppressor. Finally, find the range time and piss away 40 bucks in ammo to adjust the gas system and break it in.
CarbineOne
Regular
Fiddled, no difference was found.
Come on now, other than the CP and the $$$ that all sounds like entertainment
That being said, I don't think your EE price is bad. I'd pick it up if I had the cash to do so. Put me to work and we can work out a barter deal?
"A tip for all RFB owners with reliability issues"
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=594551
I posted my experience above for everyone to draw from if needed. I only have (make that had) one rifle, but during my troubles I was collaborating with a number of other owners, and from the way it turned out for me I would also suspect that 99% of failures are magazine related. There were two guys who had a bad bolt, but after repair/replacement their issues went away.
...poor accuracy or not, I think the RFB is very well designed and I am glad to see some more bullpups finally coming to the market!
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=594551
I posted my experience above for everyone to draw from if needed. I only have (make that had) one rifle, but during my troubles I was collaborating with a number of other owners, and from the way it turned out for me I would also suspect that 99% of failures are magazine related. There were two guys who had a bad bolt, but after repair/replacement their issues went away.
...poor accuracy or not, I think the RFB is very well designed and I am glad to see some more bullpups finally coming to the market!
The RFB needs some break-in. Its action and magazine needs some wear in. I put 120 rounds through it and my feeling is that it probably needs another 100 to complete the process.
You should not expect the reliability of RFB to approach that of LMT MWS or other proven AR system.
The concept of RFB is nice and it does hold a lot of punches for the package. On the other hand, it is not a military weapon and it probably will not pass the reliability test required. If I can get a SCAR 17 in Canada.....
If you are looking for 0.5 moa precision rifle buy something els.If you are looking for a compact attention getting hunting rifle buy the rfb( I spend as much time showing the rifle as I do shooting it at the range),I put a 3.5 acog on it and hit a gong half the size of a pie plate at 250 yards every time with no effort and that's good enough for the game I hunt here,I sighted it in close but haven't had time to see how close mine actually groups.the one and only complaint is the mags but hopefully we can get some polymer mags soon and that might help.
