Mccabee or WK180?

What pre-order?

  • WK180 pre-order only

    Votes: 85 25.3%
  • WK180 in, Mccabee out

    Votes: 42 12.5%
  • Mccabee pre-order only

    Votes: 81 24.1%
  • Keeping Mccabee + ordered WK180

    Votes: 26 7.7%
  • None, yet

    Votes: 102 30.4%

  • Total voters
    336
  • Poll closed .
I plan on the wk180-c, was going to buy a restricted AR but not now. I prefer to be able to take my rifles anyplace I like, and I don't start ordering parts to dress up a rifle just because I want it to look like something else. I will be selling my Kel-tec su16f though, functions just fine but accuracy is below what I would like. Time will tell though on the wk 180-c, until they get delivered and used everybody is just guessing about performance.
 
SLR - Existing FRT
BCL future offering - No FRT
ATRS future offering - No FRT

and even the new uber inexpensive WK-180 - No FRT

A lot of claims that FRT should be approved in XX weeks/months.
Big hopes about a government department that sits often for years on issuing an FRT.

I would bet on what has an FRT.

The SLR.

Moe

I personally agree with you and feel that having a NR FRT in hand is a must have before venturing outdoors. Without it you have no recognised and acceptable proof of NR status. I do not foresee any success in an encounter with law enforcement whereby you can state for example, the Armalite AR-180B has an FRT and is NR so my similar looking rifle of a different manufacturer, model and country of origin is ok based on the other FRT. For me, when i have any AR looking rifle in hand outside, I carry that exact manufacturers make/model NR FRT with me as a PDF on my iPhone and a paper copy in my transport case. Then the conversation becomes, no this is not an AR, no this is not restricted, here is the proof, check for yourself, thank you and have a nice day.
 
Why? With the mcabee i am building the ar i want. Yes the magwell looks odd. But it's a stronger receiver. And it gets set up exactly how I want. And parts are everywhere for it.

That being said the wk180 is a better budget option. I am waiting to see if they work well and if they bring out a 7.62x39 I will be getting one.
 
Why? With the mcabee i am building the ar i want. Yes the magwell looks odd. But it's a stronger receiver. And it gets set up exactly how I want. And parts are everywhere for it.

That being said the wk180 is a better budget option. I am waiting to see if they work well and if they bring out a 7.62x39 I will be getting one.

ATRS receiver isn't goofy looking, doesn't use a proprietary trigger pack, uses a takedown pin not bolt, is made of the same material as SLR, you can truly make the rifle you want and it's $25 cheaper lol ;) With all that said I'm getting a WK180-C and hopefully that will help tide me over until the ATRS receiver's arrival :)

5RFwecp.jpg
 
I am embarrassed at this comparison between the Maccabee Defence SLR and our WK180-C this makes as much sense as comparing a Cart Horse with a Racing Thoroughbred. They are designed for different purposes. In my opinion the Maccebee SLR is the bases for a custom built match rifle, sure she will not be the cheapest but that was not their objective. I designed the WK180-C as an affordable, reliable, “plinker” the Cart Horse if you like. I see a place for both and I doubt if either of us will be fighting over the same customers.

As for the NR Tax, our price is plus tax! I jest. The vast majority of the time accusations of a NR Tax are completely unjust. We have been accused of them in the past, but our retail price is determined firstly by our cost.

Right now Maccabee Defence is been accused of charging this tax which in my opinion is completely unfounded. Maccabee did not have the luxury of copying a simple design like us, their R&D costs would have been higher, they ran bigger risks and their specialist market is much smaller than ours, they have to hold their machining to a higher tolerance than us, they start with different materials. People should remember that before attacking them, I wish them every success, they deserve it, I am confident that their SLR will provide great value for money.

Why are Canadian gun owners so negative towards one another and so quick to attack, no wonder we can never have a united front when required. Anyway that is my sermon for this Sunday
 
I am embarrassed at this comparison between the Maccabee Defence SLR and our WK180-C this makes as much sense as comparing a Cart Horse with a Racing Thoroughbred. They are designed for different purposes. In my opinion the Maccebee SLR is the bases for a custom built match rifle, sure she will not be the cheapest but that was not their objective. I designed the WK180-C as an affordable, reliable, “plinker” the Cart Horse if you like. I see a place for both and I doubt if either of us will be fighting over the same customers.

As for the NR Tax, our price is plus tax! I jest. The vast majority of the time accusations of a NR Tax are completely unjust. We have been accused of them in the past, but our retail price is determined firstly by our cost.

Right now Maccabee Defence is been accused of charging this tax which in my opinion is completely unfounded. Maccabee did not have the luxury of copying a simple design like us, their R&D costs would have been higher, they ran bigger risks and their specialist market is much smaller than ours, they have to hold their machining to a higher tolerance than us, they start with different materials. People should remember that before attacking them, I wish them every success, they deserve it, I am confident that their SLR will provide great value for money.

Why are Canadian gun owners so negative towards one another and so quick to attack, no wonder we can never have a united front when required. Anyway that is my sermon for this Sunday

Well said. That's pretty much all that needs to be said about the situation. Where's the like button?
 
I am embarrassed at this comparison between the Maccabee Defence SLR and our WK180-C this makes as much sense as comparing a Cart Horse with a Racing Thoroughbred. They are designed for different purposes. In my opinion the Maccebee SLR is the bases for a custom built match rifle, sure she will not be the cheapest but that was not their objective. I designed the WK180-C as an affordable, reliable, “plinker” the Cart Horse if you like. I see a place for both and I doubt if either of us will be fighting over the same customers.

As for the NR Tax, our price is plus tax! I jest. The vast majority of the time accusations of a NR Tax are completely unjust. We have been accused of them in the past, but our retail price is determined firstly by our cost.

Right now Maccabee Defence is been accused of charging this tax which in my opinion is completely unfounded. Maccabee did not have the luxury of copying a simple design like us, their R&D costs would have been higher, they ran bigger risks and their specialist market is much smaller than ours, they have to hold their machining to a higher tolerance than us, they start with different materials. People should remember that before attacking them, I wish them every success, they deserve it, I am confident that their SLR will provide great value for money.

Why are Canadian gun owners so negative towards one another and so quick to attack, no wonder we can never have a united front when required. Anyway that is my sermon for this Sunday

Exactly what I've been trying to say. The only commonality between these two is they are NR.
I don't know why people constantly try to turn everything into a pissing match like there can be only one. I own at least 5 NR black rifles and I'll probably end up with one of the WK180's and when they're available I'm pretty sure I'll buy the ATRS receiver set for a build. I'm skipping the SLR because I don't need to have another rifle right this second, I'll wait patiently for the parts I want from a manufacturer I know and want to support.

These are two completely different tools aimed at two entirely different market segments. Plus, we're somehow comparing a complete rifle to a receiver set that costs the same amount, how does that make sense?

I find it funny that guys are looking at the SLR set and planning the ultimate budget build for all the rest of the parts. Why not just buy a used XCR or Tavor for around $2000 instead. $1000 for a receiver set is not the way to start a budget build. Go hard or go home :p


Hey John, do you have any details about the barrel gas port size on the 180-c?
Since it was said that they use an AR compatible barrel I was wondering if the gas port size was also standard AR size or if it was adjusted for the piston system. The reason I ask is that my Bushmaster ACR piston system is more efficient than the DI system of the AR so if I run a standard AR barrel I end up overgassed. Just wondering if the 180-c will be the same or if it's going to be as simple as just swapping in the barrel of our choice with the correct gas system length.
Also, is there much parts compatibility from the 180-C to my 180-B, just wondering if this may end up being a parts source for a spare bolt for my B.

Thanks for going through all the trouble of bringing this to our market, I hope you sell every rifle that is made as fast as they can be built.
 
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I am embarrassed at this comparison between the Maccabee Defence SLR and our WK180-C this makes as much sense as comparing a Cart Horse with a Racing Thoroughbred. They are designed for different purposes. In my opinion the Maccebee SLR is the bases for a custom built match rifle, sure she will not be the cheapest but that was not their objective. I designed the WK180-C as an affordable, reliable, “plinker” the Cart Horse if you like. I see a place for both and I doubt if either of us will be fighting over the same customers.

This is exactly what I've been trying to get through to people. These are two totally different products that will serve two totally different markets. There is NO comparison between the two.

:weird:
 
'NR Tax' is the traditional screw over more than a tax. It's often inflated further by the "I'll pay anything" pimps. Wolverine has avoided both to their credit.

Having more guns out there is good for our community. Better to have thousands than a few hundred the bureaurats are itching to ban.
 
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Why are Canadian gun owners so negative towards one another and so quick to attack, no wonder we can never have a united front when required. Anyway that is my sermon for this Sunday

Probably same reason as the "console wars" (PC vs. Xbox vs. Playstation). People invest their ego into things they buy because they don't want to think they made the wrong choice and wasted their investments of time, interest, and money. So they get defensive and try to cut the other parties down to make themselves feel elevated and justify why they made the better choice, but that's usually always subjective of course.
That's just my theory, anyway.
 
Not everyone pre-ordered SLR for "features" to custom build "match" rifle. NR black rifle with easy to get parts was the big sell. That applies to WK too. That's why in the poll about the same number of people opted for each rifle, but WK gets an extra 33% boost from people who switch.
 
Each to there own. If they are a quality product then they will be available for years to come. I don't mind waiting to make sure there are no QC issues with initial runs. Or parts failures with high round count guns.

The SLR has no parts to fail so that's a moot point. It is entirely dependent on the parts the user selects. The WK180C is a different story. 6061 is decent but it's not the same as 7075. Will that be a major issue? Who knows, but 7075 is the only material approved per milspec for AR rifles. Something to think about.

Wrong again.
I see the pic at the end of the thread, do you have any other information about production, or FRT status?

Likely neither.

I have enough NR toys for the time being. The 180 seems ok and reasonably priced for what it is. I'm glad they made it.

As for the Maccabee... $1000 for a stripped upper and lower set? GFY.

A billet receiver set will cost you nearly a grand as it stands, and that's from large US manufacturers not a small Canadian business with a very small market.

Bullet hose?
If their claim of 2 MOA is correct?
How bout you upgrade the barrel and trigger and get sub MOA, is it still a bullet hose?
Plenty of people will be out performing SLRs with their 180s no doubt.

That is dependent on the quality of parts used.

I find it amusing that everyone here has already shoehorned each rifle and their capabilities based on looks and cost.
$1000 for a set of AR receivers no matter how you slice it is extortion.
Again no... Billet receiver sets now cost nearly $1000 from large US manufacturers so the $1000 price of a Canadain non res set is more than reasonable.

You are 100% correct. I priced a Seekins precision upper and lower. From the States, with exchange, the pair come in at $600. They seem to be most expensive. An Aero set is probably $100 cheaper? So Maccabee is making roughly $400 extra profit. But as more and more manufacturers are now entering the NR market in Canada, the price has got to come down. Increased supply means lowered price, and manufacturers will have to compete for their slice of this market segment. This is far better for us as shooters, than when there was only one or two options (I will not count norinco.... lol).

Again wrong, CSC already answered this but you need to take into account all factors in manufacturing costs.

Lots of mis-information being presented here, hopefully because of ignorance rather than malice, but let's address some of the comments.

SLR pricing is "extortion" - Really? If you don't like the price don't pay. Nobody is forcing you to purchase.

"An US made AR15 billet set is cheaper, therefore MDI is making the difference in profit" . Well, this opinion is not based on fact and relies heavily on conjecture.

Let's look at some facts.

MDI is doing relatively small scale production based solely on a Canadian niche product. Smaller production means higher per unit costs. Trying to compare US production prices to Canadian is facile, ATRS makes a billet AR receiver set that retails for about $950. The SLR, has a smaller potential market than any US made billet receiver set.

The SLR is a more expensive design to manufacture. Buying an MDI set gets you the upper, the lower and the trigger module (more pieces). The upper and lower are mated using an interrupted rail rather than take down pins. This requires more precise machining over more areas of the receivers to ensure fit is precise, and rattling/wobbling is not present. The more precision machining required, the higher the production costs.

MDI started with the premise that they were going to build more accurate products, using the best materials. Their receiver parts are 7075-T6 aluminum because it is stronger that 6061. It also costs more to purchase and machine. Their concern over accuracy is reflected in their machining tolerances too. Their production plan is to have machining tolerance of the critical components to greater precision that most other manufacturers consider economical. MDI was concerned about making their guns fit this precisely so that the components will not rattle, wobble of otherwise detract from the precision feel of the rifle.

All this to say, MDI is making a high quality product, and most owners will get exactly what they are hoping to get. MDI could certainly have built to looser tolerances, used cheaper materials, and built a cheaper product, but they chose not to. These were marketing decisions, and while they may not appeal to everyone, they certainly do not represent extortion or price gouging. Nor are you going to see price drops to stay competitive. Their product is unique, but fills a specific niche and is going to be built to quite different standards.

Some fine factual posting here! ^^^

SLR - Existing FRT
BCL future offering - No FRT
ATRS future offering - No FRT

and even the new uber inexpensive WK-180 - No FRT

A lot of claims that FRT should be approved in XX weeks/months.
Big hopes about a government department that sits often for years on issuing an FRT.

I would bet on what has an FRT.

The SLR.

Moe

True, but as has been stated the FRT is not legally required although it is a big plus to have..

The only people I can see opting out of the SLR pre-order in favor of the WK180-C are a few people who just wanted a cheaper NR blaster. Most likely people who were going to gut a Norinco and end up with a $1500 bullet hose. And even some of those may not cancel for the simple reason that they still prefer the end look of the Norinco parts on the SLR receiver. So my guess is that the few that do bail out of the SLR will be few and far between.

Anyone who actually ordered the SLR because of what it is and what you can do with it won't cancel their pre-order and settle for the budget blaster because that isn't what most were looking for in the first place. People who actually have a build in mind like my A2 type build or people who want a high quality build with high quality components are still going to follow through and get the SLR.

The WK180-C has it's place but the SLR has infinite potential. I don't think MacDef has anything to worry about.

RIGHT!! ^^^

I agree, extortion was a poor choice of words. Look, I have no personal grudge against MDI or CSC. There is no question that some of the attributes to the SLR receiver, be it low numbers, manufacture in Canada, cost of raw material, etc. will raise pricing, but by the same token, none of these facts you’ve presented legitimizes the $1000 cost for two machined and anodized pieces of Aluminum. I’m not a paying customer, so neither you or MacAbee owe me or I suppose anyone any rationale for the retail pricing structure that has been established. People pony up or they don’t - such is life.



This has been addressed. The FaRT isn’t law, as much as the RCMP would like you to believe it is.
Regardless the WR product will be covered under the existing AR-180 frt.



Here we go again with this stigma that somehow because something is priced accordingly or is inexpensive it must be inferior.
Here’s a news flash for you: the AR receiver is nothing more than a case.
It neither aids or hiders the accuracy or reliability of the rifle, whether that receiver set is $199 or $999.

If you want to support a company that is obviously bending you over the barrel - and you justify it either by saying you are supporting a local Canadian company or that you admire their ingenuity or business acumen, or whatever it is that helps you sleep at night; that’s great and all the power to you...but don’t sell this line that due to costs it is somehow a superior product - that is just nonsense.

CSC's post absolutely addressed the cost issues. You simply can't understand that a small Canadian company cannot produce small batches for the same cost as a large US company producing large batches. You can't buy a Ferrari for the price of a KIA for the same reasons.

As for the WK180C performance. If it's cheaper to buy then it must be cheaper to produce which means the quality is likely lacking to achieve that. No one is saying it will suck, it simply won't be an amazing performer as some are leading themselves to believe. I think it will be more than adequate for most uses and a precision rifle it was never meant to be.

What "performance" semi auto can you buy for $1000? All you're buying with the SLR for $1000 is the upper and lower receiver.

While I do agree with the comment from CSC saying if you don't like the price don't buy it, no one is forcing you to do anything. It is priced where it is because that's what they know they can sell them for.

It's priced at a level the market will bear, like all products...

I actually don't even care if it only cost them $2 to make a receiver set. :)

I want one, nobody else is selling the same product, and I can't make one myself.

I don't have a problem paying people for their skills or their work and especially their innovation.

YEP!! ^^^

It's going to come down to barrel selection on either rifle.
Put the same trigger and barrel in both platforms and show the results.
I'd like to see the effect of superior receiver tolerances and grade of aluminium on the accuracy.

AGREED!! ^^^

Lol, funny how a simple question about the type of aluminum used has stirred up the shartstorm it has. 6061 and 7075 are both used extensively in the manufacture of AR-15's depending on the brand of receiver and they both last longer than 90% of civilians need to worry about.
7075 is simply a slightly harder alloy and is quite a bit more expensive but both it and 6061 are more than adequate for the construction of a receiver for an AR type rifle. Once anodized the surface hardness is plenty hard enough to endure the bolt carrier riding back and forth. We also don't know if they are manufacturing the 180 with steel inserts inside the upper receiver similar to how the 180B has inside the stamped upper for the carrier and cam pin.

You guys are worrying about nothing. Don't let the internet talk you into it being a problem. Under normal conditions you probably can't put enough ammo through the 180 to wear it out in 10 years, some really heavy shooters might be able to but after that much ammo you'll definitely have gotten your money's worth out of the rifle.
Has anyone asked about what the warranty is on the 180WC? With Wolverine behind them I'd bet they would replace it for free if you ever wear it out.

AS I posted above, only 7075 is milspec approved for AR rifles. There's a reason for that....

I'm in the camp of neither.

The SLR set is too rich for my blood for being just a receiver set but the WK180C I can see its potential as a cheap poodle shooter.

I will wait and see what comes of them before jumping on board. I still have my ACR DMR to play with.

You talk about expense then indicate you own an ACR?! Talk about an over priced product!

Right so why is the 180 automatically going to be inferior in accuracy?
Because it's cheaper I suppose.
Cheaper price means cheaper to make which means quality likely took a backseat to meet that criteria.

ATRS receiver isn't goofy looking, doesn't use a proprietary trigger pack, uses a takedown pin not bolt, is made of the same material as SLR, you can truly make the rifle you want and it's $25 cheaper lol ;) With all that said I'm getting a WK180-C and hopefully that will help tide me over until the ATRS receiver's arrival :)

5RFwecp.jpg

Looks are irrelevant and the SLR has an altered magwell, that's it.
Trigger pack is irrelevant as it accepts most triggers anyway.
Take down pins are irrelevant. Field stripping is not a time sensitive operation nor is it a frequent one.

The ATRS offering is nowhere near production and has no FRT.
 
I would buy any of them immediately if they were available right now. If I could afford it I would buy one of each and convert all my ARs to non restricted. We have to support all these companies and purchase what is more suited to your use. I love the fact that we have these options and hope it doesn’t just stop here. Who knows maybe they will finally make the AR non-restricted because they might just as well as we won’t be stopped into having what we want. If there is a market then someone will find a way around these stupid rules.
 
Plan to order the WK180. Wolverine is a solid company who keeps on giving. Don’t think for one second that they couldnt of charged another $500 and still sold a #### load of rifles, but they didnt. They genuinly give a damn, which is why I’m lining up for one.

The SLR is what we Canadians have alawys wanted. I am very pleased its an option, and very excited to see the builds people will be making. Its too rich for me right now, but I will have one in the future. In the mean time, I hope both products are successful and everybody gets what they want.
 
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It's in production and you can buy one now. FRT not complete, but it's also not a legal requirement. It has been submitted for FRT and is still waiting, receiver is built off the modern varmint as the parent.

ATRS prefers to wait until FRT is given, but you can take a chance and buy one now.
I see the pic at the end of the thread, do you have any other information about production, or FRT status?
 
It keeps getting dredged up that a boutique set of over priced billet AR receivers are close in cost to the MDI set.
Fine, whatever some of you use to justify the high costs, but you don’t need a billet set of receivers to make an AR shoot.
You could take a Krieger barrel, arguably the best quality barrels available for an AR, and install it on a set of Norinco receivers that would give most any boltgun a run for their money, and perform just as well as any custom billet set, the MDI set included. They are cases after all.

It’s also been raised that they serve different markets? That is the most rediculous thing I’ve heard.
Both are serving the same firearms community and gun owners who want to, or are currently using ARs and other black rifles, and still others that want to use or have the option to use them away from an approved range.

The notion that some believe these rifles are going to be divided along the lines of cost alone?
It’s absurd. Proof of this is evident by early adopters planning on completing budget builds based off of the MDI receivers.
MDI were first out of the gate in offering an option to have a non-restricted semi-auto that mimics the AR, using AR parts, and it is evident that they enjoyed a brief monopoly by the price structure they set.
 
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