A summary of Non Restricted 5.56/7.62x39 Black Rifle Options and Prices
After seeing many people rightly seeking to learn what NR Black Rifle options there are I have made the below to try and give a high level summary.
When I get the time I will edit this and add some links to videos etc.
A few points of warning:
1. You need to start buying more of these, the more in the wild the better.
2. If you are thinking about mentioning anything about "giving the grabbers a list" slam your head against a wall as hard as you can until you realise that these people are actually capable of going on websites and yes they can read.
3.. Though I have put some humor in this my points are serious except where it's obvious that they are not
4. Prices are +/- circa $200 depending on where you go. Prices are currently inflated as a result of political events and may not match those I have listed.
5. Some rifles like the K&M ARMS M17S exist but if I can't find any for sale then it is nigh on impossible for me to place a value on them or a fair accuracy claim. The second hand one you find might have 4 or 40,000 rounds through it.
6. The Maccabee SLR and ATRS Modern Sporter rifles are not done the justice they deserve in this post. This is because I simply don't know enough about them and because there are so many options for them. They are well worth researching.
7. The accuracy potentials and other aspects are based around normal people. Yes you as a 55yr old divorcee might be able to throw a Nightforce 5x25x56 on your $1000 rifle and push $2 a pop rounds down the barrel from a lead sled after altering the rifle to achieve a 3 round sub-MOA group. Yay for you. I'm a former infantryman and practical shooter, I sit on the side of people who buy a rifle, normal bulk ammo and reasonable optics then do their best.
NB: Some people get very upset that their $5000 rifle/scope combo is referred to as anything but a tac driver, others are outraged that their $800 Chinese Freedom Slayer isn't being treated with holy reverence. You can of course link to evidence, help others achieve what you have achieved and show where things are not right. However $200 1MOA SKS style comments/whinges/etc can be sent here
8. DO, NOT, PRE-ORDER. It's basically been one example after another of companies giving you the chance to give them money and get nothing back in return. Examples include:
- WK180C (Wolverine Supplies and Kodiak Defence had a divorce, those on the waiting list obviously then didn't get the rifle though the rifle is still being made by KD. During the marriage people like myself were able to buy WK180Cs from shops while people who had been on the list for months were not getting them)
- WK180C NSR (It's been months now and it just doesn't seem to exist)
- Troy 5.56 (I can't remember the exact name), basically died a quiet insignificant death and customers with one company were told to they had to request their $100 back (no automatic returns WTF)
To Summarise:
$800 + $1000 Norinco Type 97 Gen 1 + 2, 5.56, some STANAG/AR magazines, Bullpup configuration. This is a lottery rifle, you may get one that functions very well, you may get a nightmare child that will result in hair loss. There is a reason this rifle is priced this way. NB: It has a strong following from some people, but no-one knows if these people are firing 5 or 500 rounds on each range trip.
- The Good, It might shoot ok, around 3-4MOA
- The Bad, whoever designed this rifle hates you, the safety is in a ridiculous location,
when disassembled the rifle breaks into three or more parts and requires a third arm to re-assemble. The top rail can come loose, ensure to red loctite it on day 1. It will destroy your brass and will not function with many STANAG/AR magazines. Failure to feed stoppages are common. Made in China, China Bad, 4 legs good.
$1000 Type 81 in 7.62x39, a
Chinese SKS + AK mongrel that aimed to get better accuracy while maintaining AK reliability. It achieved neither. This is predominantly an iron sighted rifle that uses horrific iron sights.
Just look at this sight picture.
- The Good: It looks pretty cool and your American friends will be envious because they can't get them. A unique rifle in history.
It looks cool when shot.
- The Bad: 4.3 - 8MOA (
No really, watch this extensive test) and see
this article. It uses proprietary magazines, is allegedly no longer being made so spare parts from where? Allegedly some rifles arrived bent, this needs to be fact checked however. Made in China, China Bad, 4 legs good.
$1100, WK180C from Kodiak Defence, 5.56, STANAG/AR magazines, AR trigger, AR Safety, Full top cover rail, cocking handle can be placed on both sides.
- The Good: gets 2MOA from bulk 55gr American Eagle, cycles reliably while parts are all working. Very large aftermarket to upgrade the rifle as you want it. Made in Canada.
Here is a Accuracy test comparing it to an AR15 with Barnaul Ammo
- The Bad: parts breakages are more common than desirable once you pass the 1000 - 1500 round mark however Kodiak is very quick to replace parts. The two most common parts to break are the cocking handle and the piston. The rifle can continue to function without the former and for those looking for something to slay Coyotes or other such things your round count will probably take quite some time to reach say 1500 so it may still be absolutely fine for you.
- Sidenote: No case deflector, weak individuals will think the little brass marks are actually a problem.
$1150, KELTEC SU-16, a light weigh rifle that seems to be around 2-3MOA, STANAG/AR magazines and comes in 5.56. Made in USA.
The Good: lightweight, affordable, reliable rifle that functions well.
The Bad:
Plastic receiver seems to have a high frequency of breaking than other rifles, you can feel comforted however in the knowledge that an explosion isn't happening by your face every time you pull the trigger.
$1300??? WK180 NSR, A Kodiak Defence and North Sylva monster that definitely didn't come about as a result of monstrous bedroom activities. It's basically the WK180C but with a AR-15 style cocking handle, a case deflector and an improved trigger over the WK180C. This rifle as of yet has not been made.
$1300, The WS-MCR from Wolverine Supplies, basically the same thing as the WK180C but with some extras added in and hopefully has resolved the issues of the WK180C which was originally developed by Wolverine Supplies. Not many of these are on the market yet, time will tell whether they really are an improvement on the WK180C, hopefully someone will do a 5000 round test or something.
- The Good, probably the same as the WK180C. Also comes in 7.62x39 (But accepts 10 round XCR magazines) and .223 Valkyrie for a couple $100 more. Made in Canada.
- The Bad, uses at least one 3D printed part, whether this is present in all of their rifles or only the initial ones should be fact checked.
Info: A couple videos made by a nice gentleman on the rifle.
First shots and
Accuracy
Info2: Kudos to NavyShooter who conducted
an in-depth look into the rifle.
$1500, KelTec RDB, Bullpup configuration, 5.56, STANAG/AR Magazines, Made in USA.
- The Good: 2MOA accuracy, reliable, effective rifle
- The Bad: Unobtanium, these rifles do exist in secret dwarf caves, with sufficient sacrifices you will find one in stock. Also clearing stoppages is a beast because the ejection port is downward facing, if you get a stoppage you need to partially dissasemble the rifle. The solution to this is to find the ammo it likes and stick with it.
$1549, The BCL Coyote, an as of yet unproven rifle. TO be very clear this is because they have only just hit the market. 5.56, STANAG/AR magazines, AR trigger, AR Safety, Full top cover rail, Made in Canada
- Potential Good: Uses many AR parts including the BCG. This enables access to high quality but affordable parts due to USA economies of scale. Claims accuracy of better than 2MOA. BCL is using Maccabee SLR receivers, Maccabee makes quality rifles, the odds of them teaming up with a low quality manufacturer is low.
- Potential Bad: BCL manufacturing quality prior to it's take over was very poor. HOWEVER, since it's take over ti seems to have got it's act together and is producing the BLC MK7 rifles which appear to have resolved all the previous issues. Will the Coyote be of similar quality? Time will tell.
$1500 upwards. The Maccabee SLR and the ATRS Modern Sporter. Both AR type rifles, both not being made in anywhere high enough numbers, both excellent rifles by all reports. A wealth of knowledge exists about these rifles so I suggest you use google fu. Made in Canada.
- The Good: They're basically NR ARs. After possibly a year or more (fact check that number) once finally get your rifle though you can endlessly respond to threads where people ask what Black NR rifle to get by saying "jUSt gET A mOdErn SPorTeR"
- The Bad: Long wait lists, slow production, high price and you need to know your #### when ordering.
NB: See post 7 for addiitonal information, I can not contest what they say.
$1800 The M+M M10X A modern long stroke 7.62x39 rifle using AK mags. Flat top upper which keeps zero, a folding stock for when you are in an APC and an M-LOK fore-rail.
- The Good: It's an accurate 7.62x39 platform that will eat affordable ammo but uses a very reliable gas system. Easily available AK mags. Does NOT use AK safety
- The Bad: 5 round lengthy magazines unless you can find 5/20 AK mags
$2000, HK SL8, The Sporter variant of the HK36, there is a wealth of knowledge and detailed review on the internet, go and check them out.
- Note: If you buy this you will do so in the knowledge that you can't afford the G36, this will haunt you for the rest of your life. You will feel weak and humiliated by actual G36 owners and will feel forced to show your HK power to none-HK owners.
$2250 Benelli MR1 Tactical Semi-Auto Rifle An Italian Pony, it's an interesting wee beasty .
Here is an accuracy test of the rifle
- The Good: Non-Tactical sporty looking rifle for those who like that, uses STANAG/AR Magazines
- The Bad: Pencil barrel, not the best ergonomics. Very little customisation, aftermarket support. This rifle probably was interesting when it first came to market but with so many Black NR options it just shouldn't exist for $2250
$2400, The X95 and Tavor-21 rifles (they are a bit different), The Semi Auto variant of the Israeli forces standard issue rifle (I believe). Great for shooting, great controls, short, handy and good for competition shooting out to 200m
- The Good: AR Magazines, reliable, bullpup configuration awesomeness, doesn't really care if you enjoy bacon
- The Bad:
You just spent $2400 on a 3-4MOA rifle, that's fine for urban fighting (which is what it is for) but the closest you'll get is being gunned down on live TV while doing a forward roll out of your window to break a police seige. Silver lining, pictures of your naked gravy smeared corpse will be a meme forever.
$3200 The FAMAE: SG-540-1 Rifle A Chilean rifle that uses the same magazines as the SIG Classic and SG-90 rifles. It also uses the same scope mount as the SIG Classic rifles. The rifle can take a side folding stock. Here is a nice TFB outline of the rifle.
- The Good: Uses the same magazines as the SIG Classic + SG-90. Also uses the same scope mount, nice adjustable rear site. A picatinny rail can be added.
- The Bad: The iron sights are pretty low down (which is fine) the stock likewise matches this so if you add an optic you may need a cheek riser.
$3220, The Bushmaster ACR DMR, I don't have experience with this rifle. From what I understand however it's accuracy is not Designated Marksman level and it isn't even being made anymore.
$3900 B&T APC 223-SA A Swiss clock of a rifle that comes from a very high quality manufacturer. 5.56 STANAG/AR mags, full rail etc.
- The Good: STANAG/AR Magazines so 10 rounders are go, very reputable manufacturer, ambidextrous safety, excellent barrel
- The Bad: You just spent $3900
$8000, HK G36. The German Army Standard Issue in 5.56, there is a wealth of knowledge out there go and check it out.
- The Good, if you own one you are better than everyone else. imbued by HK smugness you will never even need to take your rifle out of the box.
- The Bad, you will never financially recover from buying this rifle unless you are in a position to buy 10. If you are not in a position to buy 10 your partner will leave you when they find out how much you spent on this rifle.
- The mixed, your hair will turn blonde, you will grow to be 2m tall and your ancestors will smile upon you as you reach genetic perfection
$???? K&M ARMS M17S. This rifle appears to be a NR rifle but I was unable to find anyone retailing the 5.56 variant. IRUNGUNS would be the best people to speak to as
they are the sole retailer and are advertising
the .308 variant of this rifle.
-
A full review by The Hunting Gear Guy states that it is the best Bullpup in Canada. As the Author has never seen or used one and can't find one for sale a good/bad section will not be included.
BONUS RIFLE!!!!
$250, the SKS a 7.62x39 stripper clip loaded semi-auto rifle of manliness
just like the Lada
The Good:
-
The Power of URAAAA!
- It's a 6MOA semi-auto Goliath that allows you to enforce Soviet strength on the world in an affordable manner.
- No matter what ammo you put in this rifle it will function
- Women and Children will weep in fear at the mere sight of you
- Ownership of this rifle instantly enables you to Bench Press 500kg or a
full grown unwilling angry Grizzly bear on steroids
- Comes with wood stock which can be burnt in emergency situation, rifle will still function without it (maybe)
- Bayonet allows for tight groupings, sneer at other shooters spending $5 on a 3 round 1MOA group and simply stab the target instantly creating a $0 1MOA group
-
Mongolians will love you
- Goats will bleed from their eyes
The Bad:
-
Talking with other SKS owners is pretty much just this
- Ownership can cause spontaneous combustion among the weak
-
Mongolians will love you more than you are comfortable with
- Your Goats will go blind
