Here is a quick review of the TNW ASR in 10mm being offered through Hical...
The Gun -
Overall it feels very well built, minimal machining marks and everything is tight and fits well. My biggest complaint (only real complaint so far) is the god awful trigger. It seriously sucks to the point of me not wanting to purchase another ASR in 9mm like I had planned. There is a 1/2'' of slop to bring the trigger nearly all the way to the back of the trigger guard then about another 8-10lbs of pressure to get it to break. Coupled with the very thin trigger itself it is probably the worst I have ever used. I owned an NEA-15 for a while so that is saying a lot... The barrel screws in and out easily. You must pay attention as you are shooting as the barrel likes to loosen itself. If you were to do "serious" shooting sessions I would recommend some blue Loctite or something to keep the barrel from walking out.
Many people questioned if the rifle could handle "full" power loads, well the good news is it does and it does it better than any 10mm I have ever owned. All loads showed less than .430" case head average with most around .425'' indicating to me that the rifle stays locked up long after pressure levels have come down. These same loads expand to about .430-435 out of various 10mm pistols. It does leave a mark from slamming into the receiver while ejecting but it is nothing serious. Resizing and loading will iron it out.
The rifle functioned well. 180grn BDX bullets cycled flawlessly as did the 200grn XTPs. The TC style 200grn Campros and 135grn Sierras had trouble loading the first round out of the mag but otherwise cycled well. I am looking into the cause, which I figure is insufficient crimp coupled with the stubby bullet profiles not engaging the ramp properly. It's my best guess anyway. I'll be experimenting later on.
Chrony Results -
180 grn BDX TMJ
9.5grns Longshot
1.250'' OAL
Dominion LP Primer
Starline Cases
10 shot average 1578fps/995 ft.lbs
5 shot 50m group (POA is middle crosshair) The two flyers are from sighting in.
200grn Campro TC
10.5grns Blue Dot
1.260'' OAL
Dominion LP Primer
Starline Cases
10 shot average 1421fps/897 ft.lbs
5 shot 50m group (POA is top crosshair) These printed low as expected, both 200grn bullets also shot left.
200grn XTP
13grn AA9
1.260'' OAL
Winchester LP Primer
Winchester Cases
10 shot average 1349fps/808 ft.lbs
5 shot 50m group (POA is middle crosshair)
With a better optic and more practice with the ####ty trigger I am sure the rifle could do better...
135 grn Sierra JHP
14grns 800X
1.260" OAL
Dominion LP Primer (DO NOT USE MAGNUM PRIMERS WITH THIS LOAD)
Starline Cases
5 shot average 2202fps/1453 ft.lbs(!!!)
No grouping with this one unfortunately. I didn't bring enough to do both.
All in all I am pretty happy with it. Recoil is stiff but manageable. I will be replacing the cheap 4x scope it came with ASAP. I am hoping there are things that can be done with the trigger group as well. Any questions feel free to ask. I hope this helps guys decide whether or not to pick one of these powerful carbines up...
The Gun -
Overall it feels very well built, minimal machining marks and everything is tight and fits well. My biggest complaint (only real complaint so far) is the god awful trigger. It seriously sucks to the point of me not wanting to purchase another ASR in 9mm like I had planned. There is a 1/2'' of slop to bring the trigger nearly all the way to the back of the trigger guard then about another 8-10lbs of pressure to get it to break. Coupled with the very thin trigger itself it is probably the worst I have ever used. I owned an NEA-15 for a while so that is saying a lot... The barrel screws in and out easily. You must pay attention as you are shooting as the barrel likes to loosen itself. If you were to do "serious" shooting sessions I would recommend some blue Loctite or something to keep the barrel from walking out.
Many people questioned if the rifle could handle "full" power loads, well the good news is it does and it does it better than any 10mm I have ever owned. All loads showed less than .430" case head average with most around .425'' indicating to me that the rifle stays locked up long after pressure levels have come down. These same loads expand to about .430-435 out of various 10mm pistols. It does leave a mark from slamming into the receiver while ejecting but it is nothing serious. Resizing and loading will iron it out.
The rifle functioned well. 180grn BDX bullets cycled flawlessly as did the 200grn XTPs. The TC style 200grn Campros and 135grn Sierras had trouble loading the first round out of the mag but otherwise cycled well. I am looking into the cause, which I figure is insufficient crimp coupled with the stubby bullet profiles not engaging the ramp properly. It's my best guess anyway. I'll be experimenting later on.
Chrony Results -
180 grn BDX TMJ
9.5grns Longshot
1.250'' OAL
Dominion LP Primer
Starline Cases
10 shot average 1578fps/995 ft.lbs
5 shot 50m group (POA is middle crosshair) The two flyers are from sighting in.
200grn Campro TC
10.5grns Blue Dot
1.260'' OAL
Dominion LP Primer
Starline Cases
10 shot average 1421fps/897 ft.lbs
5 shot 50m group (POA is top crosshair) These printed low as expected, both 200grn bullets also shot left.
200grn XTP
13grn AA9
1.260'' OAL
Winchester LP Primer
Winchester Cases
10 shot average 1349fps/808 ft.lbs
5 shot 50m group (POA is middle crosshair)
With a better optic and more practice with the ####ty trigger I am sure the rifle could do better...
135 grn Sierra JHP
14grns 800X
1.260" OAL
Dominion LP Primer (DO NOT USE MAGNUM PRIMERS WITH THIS LOAD)
Starline Cases
5 shot average 2202fps/1453 ft.lbs(!!!)
No grouping with this one unfortunately. I didn't bring enough to do both.
All in all I am pretty happy with it. Recoil is stiff but manageable. I will be replacing the cheap 4x scope it came with ASAP. I am hoping there are things that can be done with the trigger group as well. Any questions feel free to ask. I hope this helps guys decide whether or not to pick one of these powerful carbines up...
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