northballistics
Member
- Location
- Beautiful BC
But look at it, and I'll get thousands upon thousand of rounds through it, and she'll still run like a top.
I do work for a gun store, keep that in mind.
READ MORE ABOUT IT.
Best 5.56 rifle right now?
- Thread starter CdnLibertarian
- Start date
But look at it, and I'll get thousands upon thousand of rounds through it, and she'll still run like a top.
I do work for a gun store, keep that in mind.
READ MORE ABOUT IT.
Bingo. Sure, WK-180 pistons are only $20, but you guys are missing the point - a properly designed firearm does not routinely suffer major parts failure on a routine basis such that spares must be kept on-hand. And if the designers cut corners with the Gas System, where else did they take shortcuts taken in an effort to keep the unit cost sub-$1K (when first marketed)? For somebody just starting out I suppose the WK-180 and the like are a good way to learn how to maintain and trouble-shoot a gas-operated firearm (because it WILL be required at some point), but honestly somebody just learning the basic ropes might be better served by an SKS or a Ruger 10/22 and plenty of ammunition.
Westcoastbro
New member
- Location
- British Columbia
I have the SKS and 10/22. Im just trying to find an affordable option in .223. Now if that means spending a little more for some quality im not against it. I also dont need a $5k rifle.
Well, I provided you with a list of pretty much all of your options in Post 111. At the end of the day, what folks recommend you buy is going to largely depend on how much you are willing to spend. Bear in mind that you will also need to feed your new .223/5.56mm rifle, with a case of 1000 rounds of 55gr ammo costing approximately $670 (plus tax) on sale these days....
Personally, I would place the minimum "sweet spot" at $3K, which allows you to purchase (in priority):
1. The Lockhart "Silver" Raven (~$2500 plus tax with the desirable add-on options), plus 500 rounds of ammo.
2. Sterling Arms International R18 Mk2 with standard Trigger Tech Trigger ($2700), plus 300 rds of ammo.
2. Crusader Templar with upgraded Trigger Tech Trigger ($2200) plus a full 1000-round case of ammo, OR a lightly used Tavor X95 (~$2500) plus 500 rounds of ammo. This choice is all about whether you can work with a bullpup or not....
YMMV, but any of the above ought to serve you well at the $3K price-point. Good Luck with your quest!
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The raven has had its fair share of malfunctions.
Care to elaborate. Other than a cracked bolt carrier that Lockhart rectified immediately what other issues have they had.
The only issues that I am aware of were/are:
1. Cracked Gen 1 Bolt Carriers. As mentioned, Lockhart did an immediate redesign and pushed out new, beefier Bolt Carriers to his customers free of charge. An excellent level of customer care was demonstrated. No issues since.
2. Bad Batch of Barrels. Yes, Lockhart's Assembly Staff should have noticed that an early batch of Barrels had undersized Gas Ports and/or Bad Chamber Dimensions during proof-firing or final QC checks, however this did not occur. Once the problem was identified, Lockhart once again did his best to immediately rectify the situation with a self-help Gas Port drilling program. A new batch of Barrels was ordered and defective Barrels with wonky Chamber dimensions were switched out. The time-line for delivery of a replacement Barrel to me was just 3 business days from the point that I contacted Lockhart until I had the new Barrel in-hand (and immediately installed).
3. Light Hammer Strikes. Some folks have reported Light Hammer Strikes with certain types of ammunition, specifically those with hard primers such as military surplus. I did not have Light Strikes, but I did have Bolt Carrier Bounce upon closing with the factory 3.8 Oz Buffer and Operating Spring, so I swapped out the Lockhart Buffer for a heavier H2 version that I had on hand and replaced the Spring with a Geissele "Super 42" heavier Braided-Wire version. This resulted in a "dead" closure of the Bolt/Carrier with a single "thud" rather than the dreaded double "CLANG-clang". sound. I suspect that many folks out there are suffering light Hammer Strikes as the direct result of Bolt Carrier Bounce upon closure with the factory Buffer and Spring. The factory Buffer would appear to be a design that lacks the "deadening" effect of loose Tungsten Powder inside of the Buffer itself. The Tungsten powder inside of the Buffer travels a split-second slower than the Buffer/Bolt Carrier Group, with the Tungsten powder's arrival at the front of the Buffer coinciding with the start of the metal on metal rearwards "bounce" of the Bolt Carrier. The forward momentum of the powdered Tungsten cancels out the rearwards movement of the bouncing Bolt Carrier. The result is a "dead drop" for the Bolt Carrier Group upon closure and a lack of interference by the bouncing Carrier with the Hammer Drop against the Firing Pin whick would have otherwise resulted in a "Light Strike"....
The first two issues were addressed as fast as possible by Lockhart, with the rapid replacement of faulty factory parts (Gen1 Bolt Carriers and early Barrels) by new product. The "Light Hammer Strikes", at least in large part attributable to the solid Buffer and Standard Power Operating Spring resulting in "Bolt Bounce", has yet to be addressed by the factory and is still under investigation for cause. Lockhart needs to offer a proper Buffer with the loose Tungsten Powder innside of it as a means of eliminating "Bolt Bounce" with a dead-drop instead. Until that occurs, those experiencing Bolt Bounce are encouraged to try a Heavier Buffer with the Tungsten Powder loose inside. Chances are, that will resolve the issue. Just saying....
Raven Silver, with the options that most will select (eg. Top Charging Handle, Bolt Catch, Casing Deflector, Left Side Cocking Slot Cover, etc, etc) will end up costing you $2500 in total charges. Try filling out the options selector and see your final tally instead of looking at the base price with not Bolt-Catch, etc. Nobody that I know of is going to buy the base model without adding a bunch of expensive options or equivalent factory parts (eg. Standard Buffer with Tungsten Powder) after their initial purchase. Very few will choose to own and shoot the base models lacking critical parts such as a Bolt Catch and a proper Buffer! YMMV.... but I doubt it.
For sure, but comparing to the 180 versions it’s $1400, what you choose to add after is a different story.
The Siberian is roughly $1600 + with a crappy trigger.
Still usable though.
Where could a guy purchase the tungsten buffer?
Late to the game, but so far my Kel-Tec SU-16F (tactical) has given me no grief, except for the fact it is not that accurate at 100 yards. I've never fired factory ammo through it (maybe I should...) but it hates every reload with BLC-2 I've tried. Varget with 55gr Campro bullets is best for me so far. About $1150 from site sponsors.
Anyone else have one of these?
https://alflahertys.com/kel-tec-su-16-tactical-version-rifle-223-semi-automatic-rifle-su16tac/
Anyone else have one of these?
https://alflahertys.com/kel-tec-su-16-tactical-version-rifle-223-semi-automatic-rifle-su16tac/
Amazing. I believe there are many fellas who would love gunning again if they knew we still had 'fun' rifles but aren't aware of it. OTOH, of course, there are many whatevers that would call opposite so I understand it. When at the gun store and asking how these 556s were legal and the ar not, he stated, "because the government is dumb". I would like to disagree and say that it is because the government, as we have clearly seen, is incredibly, sorry, insanely, disingenuous.
2nd that! Tavor X95 All Day!
How close to the ar 15?
Nowhere near but I thought this was the “Best 5.56 rifle right now?” thread…
Can you explain how these fellas failed in providing a similar, or if not better, rifle than an Ar 15?
Sry. saw that link, but didnt work, just black. I did get an advanced memebrship, geesh. Chances of finding it are slim. For my ability. =(
Sorry, just saying that if 556s are allowed and the ar isnt. I have read some details on that. How important are they? Really. I have zero doubt money felllas will make this work. Maybe just not enough Canadians? Is that what you're saying? lol
More expensive yes. Would you pay for it?
More expensive yes. Would you pay for it?
