Highlights of the Swiss Arms rifles based on my PE-90 black target model.
1) Non-restricted rifle
2) Military service style rifle including a military barrel profile complete with flash hider
3) AK "inspired" action for reliability
4) Finely machined
5) High level of fit/finish
6) Piston system from the ground up, not a retrofit
7) A decent out of the box trigger
8) Very good out of the box accuracy, especially for a non bull barreled service rifle.
The Swiss arms rifle is very well thought out. I think this gets overlooked a lot. The folding stock is the only folder that I like. The trigger guard folds out of the way for shooting with gloves, and there is an integrated bipod. These aren't extras, they come stock. If you were to add these extras to an HK SL8 the cost would match or most likely exceed that of the Swiss Arms.
One other point, are the take down pins. They are truly no tool required pins. Push the button on the top and pull them out. I haven't been able to figure out why every firearms manufacturer doesn't use this system. It beats the heck out of what the other rifles are using.
The flaws:
1) Sticker shock (Although not bad when you realize what you're getting)
2) @$@#$ charging handle on the right hand side. You would think if the Germans could get it right back in 1942 that we wouldn't be stuck with the charging handle on the right. I guess we can thank the Russians for that one. Oh look we didn't copy the STG44, the charging handle is on the right side not the left!!!! Too bad they didn't realize the Germans had the handle on the left for a reason. Rant off.
3) Weight. But this is a trade off. It's well built because of the materials used which generally weighs more. I don't personally find it too heavy, but it's definitely not a really light service rifle. The AR rifle is much lighter providing you aren't one of those guys that likes to mount everything and anything on the front rails.
4) 5 round mags only, and they rock in IE AK style. Which means the mag release is also AK style. I don't mind this, but I do prefer the AR style and the mag release button of the AR.
The ergonomics on the Swiss rifle aren't bad. If the cocking handle was on the left, and the mags went straight in with a mag release button then it would be perfect. The ambi safety and location is very good. The bolt release is nice too.
top to bottom/left to right: DPMS LR-308 ie AR-10 style rifle, Swiss Arms PE-90 black target model, Stag AR-15 2T. They play well together.