A summary of Non Restricted 5.56/7.62x39 Black Rifle Options and Prices

Bratwurst

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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.

Each of the underlined pieces of text is a link to a youtube video showing the rifle and possibly something fun

A few points of warning:

1. Though I have put some humor in this my points are serious except where it's obvious that they are not

2. Prices are +/- circa $200 depending on where you go

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

$850 Norinco M305A 7.62x39 A AK mag fed M14 rifle. Basically the result of experiments that Unit 731 were too scared to do. Forgotten weapons have a nice video.
- The Good: It's an M14 in 7.62x39 shooting surplus ammo to what looks like about 3MOA
- The Bad: More of a question than a fact, does it suffer from the same issues as the .308 variants? Do your research!

The Question: Is it worth buying this when you can buy a Ruger Mini 30? Warranties, build quality and after market support will be most likely better.

$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.

$1200, Ruger Mini 14, a light, 5.56 rifle, that gives around 3-4MOA, uses propriatory magazines so no 10 rounders for you. Made in USA.
- The Good, it's a reliable, acceptably accurate rifle from a reputable manufacturer that has been used for decades. The aftermarket is reasonable.
- The Bad, unlike other choices it does not use STANAG/AR magazines, so expensive 5 rounders only. Likewise the aftermarket is more expensive and things like changing the trigger etc are quite a lot more expensive. The rifle just isn't as adjustable as say the WK180C, WS-MCR, BCL Coyote etc etc.

$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.

$1400 Ruger Mini 30, a light, 7.62x39 rifle tthat gives around 3-5 MOA though can perform better with expensive ammo, uses proprietary magazines so no 10 rounders for you. Made in USA. TFB TV compares it to a Galil and AK in this video.
- The Good, it's a reliable, acceptably accurate rifle from a reputable manufacturer that has been used for decades. The aftermarket is reasonable.
- The Bad, unlike other choices it does not use STANAG/AR magazines, so expensive 5 rounders only. Likewise the aftermarket is more expensive and things like changing the trigger etc are quite a lot more expensive. The rifle just isn't as adjustable as say the WK180C, WS-MCR, BCL Coyote etc etc.

$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.

$1500, The CSA VZ58 (5.56 and 7.62x39) a hardcore proven Cold War beast, circa 3MOA accuracy with 7.62x39 this old girl will not fail you
- The Good, 3MOA with affordable surplus, will keep going no matter how hard you cry, can accept 10round LAR mags in 5.56 variant, can take scopes with side rail
- The Bad, Mounting optics is not ideal due to side rail, cheek rest may not be ideal

$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.

$3100, Robinson Arms XCR-L, 5.56 STANAG/AR magazine fed rifle, flat top railed receiver, ambidextrous (I think), solid rifle
The Good: Built like a tank, easy to change barrels, OK accuracy (3MOA I think), Ambidextrous, Allegedly used by some special forces so you can pretend you're one of them
The Bad: At the range some dude with a $750 Smith & Wesson M&P 15 II will shoot better than you and you will feel forced to explain that your rifle really is used by Special Forces. While doing so your trouser belt will finally break under the pressure of 40 years of poor life choices.

$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

$4100??? Swiss Arms Classi Green Basically a Sig 550, but is this rifle still being imported? These rifles may have been prohibted again. Please provide info and I will add detail.

$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
 
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$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.

A couple of points you might want to update

The price range. Receiver sets are $1150ish, then you have to add all the other parts, most people seems to spend in the $1500-$2500 range to complete their rifle.

Currently April 2020, the Maccabee is more readily available. 6-8week wait list. The ATRS if you put a deposity now, you'll get yours in early 2021ish.

Both the ATRS & Maccabee had issuies with early production models. So buyer beware if buying a used early one.

Ask people who own or have owned both the ATRS & Maccabee 9 out of 10 will tell you the ATRS is a better design.
 
Definitely thinking the BCL SLR Coyote and the WS MCR are the rising stars in the crowd.

For 7.62x39, I think the SKS remains king.
 
As requested my insight on the ACR keeping in mind my comments are based on a sample size of exactly one.

The good: Mine shoots bulk 223 and 556 batter than any of the previous NR rifles I’ve owned with a preference for 62gr+ loadings. This is likely due to the fast 1:7 twist.
Of the approximately 5 different STANAG mags I’ve tried all feed and drop free 100%.
Totally ambidextrous including it’s forward charging handle.
Extremely modular so easily adapted to different applications. The rifle can be broken down into its 4 basic sub assembly’s (upper, lower, barrel and butt) with out any tools.
Multi cal easily done with out tools due to the modularity.
Uses AR15 triggers with, I understand a few exceptions.
The bad: It’s now out of production so as proprietary parts break replacements will be difficult to find unless someone picks the design up.
Expensive.
With the heavy DMR barrel it’s heavy.
Though Multi cal. Due to the lack of investment by Remington and it’s now being discounted finding caliber conversions is more difficult and sometimes is a custom proposition.
I’m sure there’s more both pro and con but these are my basic thoughts. I’m sure others will chime in with their love or hate for the platform.
 
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Great post now do all the PCCs

I would but honestly I have very little interest in Pistol Calibre Carbines. For my personal purposes if I am moving from 5.56 downward I go straight to .22LR and it does everything inside of 100m that I need it to.

BUT! I've also never fired a PCC, Sub Machine Guns yes, Pistols Yes, Short Rifles, yes but never a PCC.
 
As someone who owns a few of these rifles, I would correct a few things.

1. The Type 97 gen 2 i own shoots an easy 2-3 inch group freehand. I do have video to prove this, as well as multiple CGN users who have shot 2 inch or even better sometimes. The action moves a lot and thats the problem with the accuracy. Instead of a simple hammer like an AR, the striker wobbles the gun before discharge.

2. The Type 97 Gen 2 i own takes all 12 of my AR STANAG mags.

3. The Type 81's iron sights are not as bad as you claim, this is a training issue. Although i can not speak to it being more accurate than an AK, the accuracy is not far worse than my Type 97. I have never actually shot a 2 inch group with mine. Speculation: Accuracy problems could be from ammo grade. Ive not shot my Type 81 too much but I have certainly without a doubt shot more accurate at 100 yards than your claim of 8 moa on average.

4. The WK180c does not have a 'Very large after market'.

5. I do not believe its fair to call a Tavor a 3-4 moa gun. Yes i've seen all the tests. I do not own one of these, an X95 is most likely my next purchase.

6. Many SKS's shoot better than 6 moa.


Well written all things considered. Thanks for the comparison Bratwurst.
 
Great post. Too bad people asking these questions won't read it

This thread should be stickied for sure. I know when I asked this exact question not long ago that was the first thing I looked for.

Searches brought a lot of threads saying "this has been answered before", so it'd be good to have one thread (or better, one single post) that summarizes it all.
 
Love it! Thank you for taking the time to do this write-up. Perhaps a good process of feedback to the OP via PM and then the OP can make edits as he see's fit?
 
As someone who owns a few of these rifles, I would correct a few things.

1. The Type 97 gen 2 i own shoots an easy 2-3 inch group freehand. I do have video to prove this, as well as multiple CGN users who have shot 2 inch or even better sometimes. The action moves a lot and thats the problem with the accuracy. Instead of a simple hammer like an AR, the striker wobbles the gun before discharge.

2. The Type 97 Gen 2 i own takes all 12 of my AR STANAG mags.

As I said it's a lottery. If you want to prove it then do so, but give it a go with bulk ammo not $1 per shot stuff. So sure show us your freehand 5 and 10 groups at 100m.

I'm really glad your mags worked, but we are not talking about you we are talking the general experience. As I said it's a lottery.

3. The Type 81's iron sights are not as bad as you claim, this is a training issue. Although i can not speak to it being more accurate than an AK, the accuracy is not far worse than my Type 97. I have never actually shot a 2 inch group with mine. Speculation: Accuracy problems could be from ammo grade. Ive not shot my Type 81 too much but I have certainly without a doubt shot more accurate at 100 yards than your claim of 8 moa on average.

I politely but firmly disagree, however as always I am more than willing to be proven wrong.

4. The WK180c does not have a 'Very large after market'.

Every single AR Stock, trigger, pistol grip, magazine and any and all accessories that can be attached via MLOK or picatinny is a very large after market in my opinion.

5. I do not believe its fair to call a Tavor a 3-4 moa gun. Yes i've seen all the tests. I do not own one of these, an X95 is most likely my next purchase.

I can't really add anything to that you're denying something after being presented all the facts.

6. Many SKS's shoot better than 6 moa.


Well written all things considered. Thanks for the comparison Bratwurst.

I often hear this or see people saying it online but I never see any actualy evidence of this such as a video where someone shoot 3x5 round groups at 100m with iron sights, affordable ammo and then shows 3 separate 2-3MOA groups.

If you have one then I tip my hat to you sir and would call you a far better shooter than me.

A core component to consider is that while yes many guns can give fantastic performance if you do enough to them the absolute vast majority of us are going to put affordable ammo through our guns and are going to only conduct furniture changes on our guns and possibly put a reasonable but most likely not stellar optic on the rifle.
 
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. $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



I must have missed the price jump, but when did this "great pricing leap forward" take place from $1300?... :redface:
 
Had a laugh while reading, thank you OP for this hilarious summary.


One question though: in order to achieve the 500kg bench press, do you have to have the SKS:

-physically in contact wih you
-within arm's reach
-mere possession is enough to enable said power
 
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