Modern Varmint killer?

[mark222]

No need to cold turkey anything, the MH and MS are both built as ordered only, no stock has ever been built up for off the rack sales.
I think you be surprised how many people would be willing to pay extra to have a fully built premium rifle with a warranty (even if the poll doesn't show it).

Just like a high end highly tuned sports car, there are lots of guys with more money than skill. They could build their 1000hp dream car themselves and save thousands of dollars but few have the skills or tools to do it right and end up with the same reliable and well tuned product a professionally trained tech can build with all the right tools at hand.
Yes, I agree, many people understand the dynamics of a balanced rifle system and can build an AR type rifle that functions well and is reliable but most people don't. Most rely on youtube videos and internet forums to show them but don't do the research to understand the finer details and don't have the skills or tools to hand fit parts that are slightly out of spec.

No matter which path someone takes they could end up with a quality rifle but they are not all the same and the buyer's intended end use, skill set, and financial situation will determine which path is right for them.
For me, I want a MS receiver set but if the right deal came up tomorrow on a MV that was equipped the way I want I'd probably buy it. And by the right deal I don't mean if I found some crack head selling one for $1000.

ATRS has said they will do compete builds on the MS platform it people want that option, which levels the "I can't assemble a gun myself" playing field. I could see the MV being discontinued and MS custom builds becoming a thing. This would mean way less parts for ATRS to machine from scratch, and with no shortage of quality AR parts to assemble into rifles I could see them transferring their MV menu system to MS receivers.

 

[Brianma65]

An MS spec,d out the same as an MV will be the most desirable.
99% of the time , out of 95% of consumers, looking for an AR15 clone.

 

[HotSoup]

A professionally built and fitted rifle, assembled by someone who does it every day all day with all the correct tools and training and those same people standing behind it goes a long way towards a smooth shooting and reliable rifle.
After the SLR stories it's obvious that a lot of guys diving into the build your own category don't know what they're doing, didn't buy the right tools, and didn't bother to do the research they should have before buying, showing that the SLR and MS are not for everyone. There will always be a market for a fully built premium rifle.

Lower cost is rarely better. I think the MS will be a good product but the MV will always be a nicer and more valuable rifle.
Ever try to sell a frankenAR on the EE? Compared to a complete brand name factory built the Franken will always be a harder sell even if it has nice parts in it.

Assembling an AR-15 is not difficult. and in fact very straightforward. Its not like you can #### up the performance of the firearm.

 

[F22_RaptoR]

Assembling an AR-15 is not difficult. and in fact very straightforward. Its not like you can #### up the performance of the firearm.

Back when I worked at a gun shop, there were lots of people that had no business taking tools to a firearm.

There were people that came in wanting us to put SKS's into stocks.... it's literally one of the easiest things you can do with tools.

Some people have no interest or desire to know how something works, they just want it to work!

So I don't really blame anyone for wanting a pre-built rifle made by someone that does know what they are doing

 

[rally guy]

Assembling an AR-15 is not difficult. and in fact very straightforward. Its not like you can #### up the performance of the firearm.

I beleive you, but here is the thing, I have ben buying and shooting, mostly semi auto rifle since 2010. I never built a ar, I might shortly but a factory built with life time warranty is much more appealing to me. It is not like I am not mechanically incline, i rebuilt multiple car engine, buit race cars.

 

[Battleworn]

I like my modern varmint. It came as a complete working rifle. But I can also changed out parts that I want to change. And at a comfortable pace while still having a dependable rifle out of the box. It comes out of the box with premium parts and good features. Have it to sourc this parts and wait for them is not fun.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Assembling an AR-15 is not difficult. and in fact very straightforward. Its not like you can #### up the performance of the firearm.

Agreed! However given the volume of ARs we see every week that need professional repair to either make em work at all or fix the fubars that have been put to them makes me wonder.

Personally I much prefer the Varmint to the Sporter. I don't like the rear charge handle as being optically challenged all of my rifle have big scopes. The side charge handle works better for big scopes in my opinion. I also don't like that little blast of gas you get in the face from where the rear charge handle is, even the supposed "gas buster" charge handle still allow some gas to get you in the face, where the side charge handle being sealed allows all exhaust to go out the ejection port, where it should go.
The ambi bolt release I find hard to get used to not having, but in order to hit the price point demanded by the masses, many nice features like that had to be sacrificed.

Will the Sporter kill the Varmint. Hard to say as we are still taking many orders for Varmints.