Sterling Arms International R18 Mk3 Part 1 Review - Specifications and Initial Impressions

[Bartok5]

I get what you're saying about keeping the cost down. Personally, I wouldn't mind paying an extra $100 to have those things included instead of waiting for aftermarket options.

Any word on the R9? Was supposed to be nearing release by this time. Has it been held up too for some reason?

Raising the retail cost by even $100 would make the R18 Mk3 more expensive than the Gen 3 WK-180. That would obviously impact R18 marketing as the cheapest Canadian-manufactured rifle on the market, as that would no longer be true. So you can see the dilemma. Profit margins are razor-thin as it is....

The R18 Mk3 is fully compatible with AR15 Selector Switches and Magazine Releases. Ambi versions of both are currently available for purchase ahead of the R18 Mk3's releaase, so no neeed to wait for aftermarket options - you can purchase them now in anticipation of the rifle's release, just like your favourite rifle Optics set-up, Optics Mounts, Flashlight, preferred Buttstock, and so on and so forth.

I am not involved in the R9 Testing nor the timing of its Production Release. As far as I know from chit-chat, it is still on schedule for release at the end of this month. That said, I could easily be wrong if there has been a supply chain interruption, or some such. Keep your ear to the ground for updates more towards the end of the month.

 

[fat tony]

I'd like a few close ups showing the pivot pin knuckles on the lower reciever.

 

[Bartok5]

I'd like a few close ups showing the pivot pin knuckles on the lower reciever.

Here you go.... if you need other angles let me know.

 

[fat tony]

Thanks. How about a pic or two showing how the butt is attached to the reciever?

 

[Bartok5]

Thanks. How about a pic or two showing how the butt is attached to the reciever?

No problem - it is just a 3-Slot section of Pic Rail and a QD Sling Mount machined into the backside of the Lower Receiver:

 

[CobraGT]

Looks decent, but I think I'm going to wait for the R18 Mk4, with the AR15 charging handle and 'bar' stock. They're already making it in Turkey, so it shouldn't be long before we get it here

R18 Mk4:

 

[Thunderhog]

I get what you're saying about keeping the cost down. Personally, I wouldn't mind paying an extra $100 to have those things included instead of waiting for aftermarket options.

Any word on the R9? Was supposed to be nearing release by this time. Has it been held up too for some reason?

Just because you don't mind, doesn't mean the rest of us do.

Keep it simple, keep it $1800.00. This is still a lot of Jake for many people.

If someone wants to trick it out after the fact, then go for it!

Keep it simple stupid! KISS stands for just this........ LOL

 

[Thunderhog]

Looks decent, but I think I'm going to wait for the R18 Mk4, with the AR15 charging handle and 'bar' stock. They're already making it in Turkey, so it shouldn't be long before we get it here

R18 Mk4:

Okay, does this R18 MK4 make you Horny BABY?......

Yes it does!

 

[Bartok5]

Okay, does this R18 MK4 make you Horny BABY?......

Yes it does!

I suspect that you are going to be waiting a very long while for the Mk4 with Top charging. Just because the Turks went this direction with their R18-based SAM, doesn't mean that SAI is going in that direction as well. As it currently stands, Left-side Charging is here to stay as a direct link to the R18 lineage. Personally, I prefer the Left Side Charging and suspect that theire are other Right-handed shooters out there who agree. While top-charging is ambidextrous, it is also awkward, unnatural and intrusive in relation to one's cheek-weld, for many shooters. Top-Charging would require an extensive redesign of the Upper Receiver which I doubt SAI is keen to tackle. Time will tell, I reckon.

If by "Bar Stock" you mean the Collapsing Stock with round metal struts, that is simply a standard SIG MPX SMG/PCC stock.

 

[xdmer]

I'm very happy that it isn't top charging.

 

[Horilka]

Side charging all the way, natural, faster. But we're in minority here with ppl raised on AR15s.

 

[Ustauk]

If someone is not wedded to the piston system, wants dual 180 return springs with an internal piston bolt carrier running along dual rails being impinged by a gas tube to allow folding stocks, and wants rear charging, they may want to see if the West Tek Sarissa is actually going to be sold in Canada.

 

[Bartok5]

If someone is not wedded to the piston system, wants dual 180 return springs with an internal piston bolt carrier running along dual rails being impinged by a gas tube to allow folding stocks, and wants rear charging, they may want to see if the West Tek Sarissa is actually going to be sold in Canada.

Agreed. However the Sarissa, even if manufactured in semi-auto configuration, most likely won't come in at the same $1800 price-point as the R18 Mk3. If somebody want short-stroke piston operation with ambi top-charging, they are probably going to have to pay considerably more to get it...

 

[PinaKaleada]

I’m curious why can’t the partnering Turkey company send you bolts to do any testing?

Are there any existing videos of this rifle functioning?

 

[Bartok5]

I’m curious why can’t the partnering Turkey company send you bolts to do any testing?

Are there any existing videos of this rifle functioning?

The partnering (ADKAS) company's Turkish bolts are "problematic". One thing the Turks are not telling you is that they apparently haven't been able to get their SAM version of the R18 (manufactured entirely in Turkey), to run correctly yet. They apparently have domestic issues with the manufacture of multi-lugged rifle Bolts. Hence SAI's use of a Canadian sub-contractor for machining of their hardened stainless steel Bolts....

If there is video of initial test-firing, it has not been released by SAI. Expect plenty of live-fire footage once actual testing commences. No promises (so they aren't broken), but according to JR Cox, testing should be underway shortly. I'd cautiously translate that to mean sometime within the next month at the outside.

The plan is still to launch retail sales of the rifle early in Q1 2025. The 9mm PCC will launch earlier and is planned for December (next month) retail sales. Watch and shoot....

 

[Horilka]

Agreed. However the Sarissa, even if manufactured in semi-auto configuration, most likely won't come in at the same $1800 price-point as the R18 Mk3. If somebody want short-stroke piston operation with ambi top-charging, they are probably going to have to pay considerably more to get it...

Sarissa so far:
- semi version has not been even announced to target auditory
- the only "video" shows problematic ejection
- 0 history on the market
It's either vapourwaffen or the worst marketing ever.

 

[Ustauk]

Sarissa so far:
- semi version has not been even announced to target auditory
- the only "video" shows problematic ejection
- 0 history on the market
It's either vapourwaffen or the worst marketing ever.

Likely. I wish the Jard J180 lower hadn't turned out to be dog-poo; although bulky and side charging, it's DI-ish internal piston allowed use of any AR-15 barrel and gas tube, like the Crusader Crypto. Lost opportunity on Jard's part, c'est la vie.

 

[Ceiferiro]

The plan is still to launch retail sales of the rifle early in Q1 2025. The 9mm PCC will launch earlier and is planned for December (next month) retail sales. Watch and shoot....

With the fall of TSE has it been announced what store(s) will be carrying these when they come out ?

 

[iceman106]

Guess new bolt face will be early Xmas present for the testers.

I got trained on right charging handle manual of arms and I do prefer it that way. I'll still take left charging but folding charging handle will be put on ASAP. Maybe it's finally time to retire my MCR if all goes well.

 

[CobraGT]

Bartok - any idea whether full drop-in barrel assemblies in different lengths may be available for the R18 Mk3, for those of us who may want to run a restricted version of the gun...?