smak_daddy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- big sky country
Range report 1 of 2: Swiss Arms "Classic Green" (with North Eastern Arms lower)
This is the first of two range reports for my new Swiss Arms "Classic Green" rifle with a North Eastern Arms (NEA) lower. Report two will include groups with a good scope using my reloads.
Before I go on, I must give Jeff from NEA my fullest gratitude. He sold me the rifle and answered all my questions, endlessly.
Because the NEA lower accepts AR-15 stocks (and mags), the rifle came with a six point collapsible stock (see the photo below) I swapped it out for an A2 stock because the gun just felt more balanced, I'm old school and it feels more like a "battle rifle" with the A2 stock. Just my opinion though.
The rifle:
I took the gun to The Shooting Edge today (Canada Day 2011), as a result I could only shoot out to 50 yards, but that's just fine as I am pretty shabby with iron sights.
The trigger is nice, but very different than the AR-15 triggers I am used to. It has a two stage feel. The first stage lets up very easy. The second stage is heavier, but smooth. It seemed to always suprise me when it went off, which I like.
Ergonomics are great as well. The ambidextrous safety is nice. The mag release is barely reachable with your shooting grip. I found myself rotating my hand slightly to reach it. The bolt release is basically in the same location as an AR-15 except it operates more like a Glock bolt release.
The A2 stock just feels right on this rifle. The length of pull is perfect for me. The cheek weld is 100% dead on.
The iron sights are excellent on this rifle. The 100 yard rear sight has two tritium dots on each post.
Blurry photo of rear iron sight with two tritium dots:
You can rotate the rear sight to give yourself different aperatures, which gives the correct bullet drop out to longer ranges. These longer range rear sights have no tritium dots, but rely on a peep-style sight, which makes sense.
Longer range rear peep iron sight (you can barely see the top of the front post throught the peep sight):
The front sight is quite unique too. You can use the larger tritium front post, or flip it down and use the smaller more precise front post for longer shots.
Tritium front post:
Precise front post:
I tried to photograph the three tritium dots glowing bright in 100% darkness. I even recruited the wife to hold the gun perfectly still in a pitch black room. Her eyes were rolling, but she tried her best. After 5 minutes in utter darkness holding a gun, while I snapped pictures with different settings and angles, she quit. And rightfully so. She's a great sport - thanks for trying baby. I love you.
So I have no pictures of the tritium sights in the dark.
I decided to hit the range with 160 rounds of American Eagle 55gr FMJ's. The first 140 rounds were just a function test. Getting to know the rifle, understanding the sights, etc.
At the end of the session I decided to try and shoot groups with the irons. I felt it was hopeless, as I am not great with irons, but I thought "what the hell, lets try".
The barrel was very, very warm, but not smoking hot. I fired three shots at 25 yards with cheap American Eagle, when I retrieved the target I had shot a 0.25" group.
I was amazed. I thought it was a fluke. I sent another target out to 50 yards, then took 5 shots and ended up with a .7" 5 shot group. That's a great group for this old man with his 40+ year old eyes and iron sights.
Both groups were shot with iron sights and American Eagle 55 gr FMJ ammo:
I'm sure many will find these groups less than stellar, but not me. I was shocked. I am a horrible shot with irons. I can't wait to scope this rifle and test some of my reloads through her. I think she will be well under 1 MOA in the end.
Of course she also has the integral bi-pod:
In the end, this Swiss Arms lived up to every single postive review I have every read. It functioned perfectly with all my 20/5, 30/5, P-mags and LAR-15 mags. It's worth every single dollar I paid for it. Thanks once again to Jeff from NEA.
The North Eastern Arms lower rocks. I have no complaints. The fit and finish is sublime. The trigger guard is great with the extra clearance. I've been known to go after coyotes and I can put my finger on the trigger with a glove on. Yes, I tested it on my patio in 27 degree weather while flipping burgers on the BBQ. If the neighbors spotted me, they probably thought I was nuts. I also love the fact that I can use my AR-15 mags. It's like owning a non-restricted AR-15. Really.
I am predicting this baby will shoot close to .5" groups at 100 yards with a scope and my reloads. It's a bold assertion, I know. But thats what my gut is telling me after my first visit to the range with her. This rifle has potential written all over it.
At the end of the day I am another happy Swiss Arms/NEA customer.
I'll let you know exactly how well she shoots in range report 2 of 2. Thanks for tuning in.
This is the first of two range reports for my new Swiss Arms "Classic Green" rifle with a North Eastern Arms (NEA) lower. Report two will include groups with a good scope using my reloads.
Before I go on, I must give Jeff from NEA my fullest gratitude. He sold me the rifle and answered all my questions, endlessly.
Because the NEA lower accepts AR-15 stocks (and mags), the rifle came with a six point collapsible stock (see the photo below) I swapped it out for an A2 stock because the gun just felt more balanced, I'm old school and it feels more like a "battle rifle" with the A2 stock. Just my opinion though.
The rifle:
I took the gun to The Shooting Edge today (Canada Day 2011), as a result I could only shoot out to 50 yards, but that's just fine as I am pretty shabby with iron sights.
The trigger is nice, but very different than the AR-15 triggers I am used to. It has a two stage feel. The first stage lets up very easy. The second stage is heavier, but smooth. It seemed to always suprise me when it went off, which I like.
Ergonomics are great as well. The ambidextrous safety is nice. The mag release is barely reachable with your shooting grip. I found myself rotating my hand slightly to reach it. The bolt release is basically in the same location as an AR-15 except it operates more like a Glock bolt release.
The A2 stock just feels right on this rifle. The length of pull is perfect for me. The cheek weld is 100% dead on.
The iron sights are excellent on this rifle. The 100 yard rear sight has two tritium dots on each post.
Blurry photo of rear iron sight with two tritium dots:
You can rotate the rear sight to give yourself different aperatures, which gives the correct bullet drop out to longer ranges. These longer range rear sights have no tritium dots, but rely on a peep-style sight, which makes sense.
Longer range rear peep iron sight (you can barely see the top of the front post throught the peep sight):
The front sight is quite unique too. You can use the larger tritium front post, or flip it down and use the smaller more precise front post for longer shots.
Tritium front post:
Precise front post:
I tried to photograph the three tritium dots glowing bright in 100% darkness. I even recruited the wife to hold the gun perfectly still in a pitch black room. Her eyes were rolling, but she tried her best. After 5 minutes in utter darkness holding a gun, while I snapped pictures with different settings and angles, she quit. And rightfully so. She's a great sport - thanks for trying baby. I love you.
So I have no pictures of the tritium sights in the dark.I decided to hit the range with 160 rounds of American Eagle 55gr FMJ's. The first 140 rounds were just a function test. Getting to know the rifle, understanding the sights, etc.
At the end of the session I decided to try and shoot groups with the irons. I felt it was hopeless, as I am not great with irons, but I thought "what the hell, lets try".
The barrel was very, very warm, but not smoking hot. I fired three shots at 25 yards with cheap American Eagle, when I retrieved the target I had shot a 0.25" group.
I was amazed. I thought it was a fluke. I sent another target out to 50 yards, then took 5 shots and ended up with a .7" 5 shot group. That's a great group for this old man with his 40+ year old eyes and iron sights.
Both groups were shot with iron sights and American Eagle 55 gr FMJ ammo:
I'm sure many will find these groups less than stellar, but not me. I was shocked. I am a horrible shot with irons. I can't wait to scope this rifle and test some of my reloads through her. I think she will be well under 1 MOA in the end.
Of course she also has the integral bi-pod:
In the end, this Swiss Arms lived up to every single postive review I have every read. It functioned perfectly with all my 20/5, 30/5, P-mags and LAR-15 mags. It's worth every single dollar I paid for it. Thanks once again to Jeff from NEA.
The North Eastern Arms lower rocks. I have no complaints. The fit and finish is sublime. The trigger guard is great with the extra clearance. I've been known to go after coyotes and I can put my finger on the trigger with a glove on. Yes, I tested it on my patio in 27 degree weather while flipping burgers on the BBQ. If the neighbors spotted me, they probably thought I was nuts. I also love the fact that I can use my AR-15 mags. It's like owning a non-restricted AR-15. Really.
I am predicting this baby will shoot close to .5" groups at 100 yards with a scope and my reloads. It's a bold assertion, I know. But thats what my gut is telling me after my first visit to the range with her. This rifle has potential written all over it.
At the end of the day I am another happy Swiss Arms/NEA customer.
I'll let you know exactly how well she shoots in range report 2 of 2. Thanks for tuning in.
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