President Obama Shows His True Gun Control Agenda

Most of the media attention on President Obama’s renewed calls for gun control has focused on the tone of his remarks, rather than on the substance of what he said. You don’t have to scratch very deep, however, to understand that what the president really wants to see in the U.S. is gun confiscation. 

Reiterating his support for gun control last week, Obama vowed, “I am going to talk about this, on a regular basis, and I will politicize it.…”

For once, we are willing to take the president at his word.

Clearly, the president is infuriated with Congress and the American people for failing to adopt his gun control agenda, but what is he actually promoting by way of solutions? His recent speeches have been long on vitriol, but short on specifics.

Just as clearly, the president has been unwilling to entertain any idea that mass murders can be adequately addressed by means other than gun control. In his Oct. 2 remarks, for example, he dismissed talk of mental health reform, such as that supported by the NRA. He insisted that anger, mental illness, and violence are problems that all nations face, but the U.S. is unique in its level of “mass shootings” and “gun violence.” He admitted, “Levels of violence are on par, between the United States and other countries.” But because American violence more often involves firearms, firearms must be blamed.

Rather surprisingly, the president undermined the gun control movement’s current push for so-called “universal background checks.” According to the president, “we can't sort through and identify ahead of time who might take actions like this….” It’s hard to argue he’s wrong, as the latest tragedy he is politicizing was once again committed, according to ATF, with firearms obtained through dealers, after successful background checks. 

The president has something more ambitious in mind, and he’s been consistent on this point for almost two years. As he has time after time in the past, the president on Oct. 1 invoked Australia and Great Britain – what he called “countries like ours” – as models for the U.S. They “have been able to craft laws that almost eliminate mass shootings,” the president lectured. They prove “there are ways to prevent it.” 

What Obama is really proposing, despite some platitudes to the contrary, is the end of private firearm ownership for self-defense – which is essentially what happened in Australia and the U.K.  Below are summaries of those nations’ laws from the Library of Congress that make the point:

There is no constitutional right to keep and bear arms in Australia and Great Britain.

If you want to own a firearm in either country, you must first obtain the government’s permission, and you must prove to their satisfaction that you need it. Self-defense is neither a sufficient nor even legitimate reason to own a gun. 

The most popular firearms in America are banned in Australia and Great Britain, no matter what a person’s reasons for owing them. Australia bans AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles. Great Britain bans handguns.  

After the bans were enacted, both countries forced residents to surrender prohibited guns to the government.

When the president complains that America refuses to enact “common-sense gun-safety laws” and rails against the ability of America to amass “arsenals” of guns and ammunition, confiscation is what he really has in mind.   To this end, he scoffed at the idea that more Americans should be armed or that anyone could in good faith oppose more gun control. “Does anybody really believe that?” he asked.

Obama has made it clear that he will continue to politicize tragedies in order to push his gun control agenda.  That’s really nothing new.  What is new is his admission that what he really wants to do is confiscate legally owned firearms.  Rest assured, the five million men and women of the National Rifle Association will continue to fight him every step of the way.

 

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Clinton Says That the Second Amendment DOES NOT Protect an Individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Friday, October 9, 2015

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A recent CNN/ORC International Poll found that 57-percent of Americans do not find Hillary Clinton “honest or trustworthy.” If there are figures in American public life with a stronger disregard for the rights of the American people, they have yet to come to our attention.

Obviously, Clinton is referring to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago. The central conclusion in Heller was that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. The McDonald decision made clear that this right is fundamental and applies to all Americans.

When Clinton said, “the Supreme Court is wrong on the Second Amendment,” she was making clear her opposition to our individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense; to her, governments at every level can strip us of this right without restriction.

It is hard to overstate the extremism of Clinton’s position on the Second Amendment. A February 2008 USA Today/Gallup poll conducted prior to the Heller decision, asked those surveyed, “Do you believe the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns, or do you believe it only guarantees members of state militias such as National Guard units the right to own guns?” The response was unambiguous; 73-percent responded that the Second Amendment guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns, while a mere 20-percent limited that right to state militia members.

A Quinnipiac University poll conducted shortly after the Heller decision, in July 2008, mirrored these results. This poll asked respondents, “Would you support or oppose amending the United States Constitution to ban individual gun ownership?” 78-percent opposed such a measure, while only 17-percent were found to be in favor.

And in May 2009, CNN and ORC conducted a similar poll that asked “Which of the following comes closer to your interpretation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? In addition to addressing the need for citizen-militias, it was intended to give individual Americans the right to keep and bear arms for their own defense. It was only intended to preserve the existence of citizen-militias, and does not give individual Americans the right to keep and bear arms for their own defense.” Once again, the American public made their position clear; with 77-percent choosing “individual gun ownership” to 21-percent answering “only citizen-militias.”

A professional politician like Clinton is almost certainly aware of the public’s views on this matter, which is likely the reason she’s gone to great lengths to hide her most extreme positions on the subject. To be sure, Clinton has publicly advocated for all manner of gun control; including gun owner licensing, taxation, and bans on popular firearms. However, with Clinton’s latest comments, the discussion has moved degrees of legally permissible controls. Clinton has made clear that she does not recognize that the Second Amendment protects your individual right to have a firearm at all.

During her previous run for president, at the April 16, 2008 Democratic debate held in Philadelphia, Clinton made sure to feign some respect for the Second Amendment. Clinton stated, “I respect the Second Amendment. I respect the rights of lawful gun owners to own guns, to use their guns,” adding, “we will strike the right balance to protect the constitutional right…” When later asked whether she supported D.C.’s total ban on handguns, she staked out a similar position, noting, “What I support is sensible regulation that is consistent with the constitutional right to own and bear arms.” Moreover, Clinton’s 2008 campaign broke new ground in hypocrisy when they attempted to paint her opponent, Barack Obama, as the more radical anti-gun candidate. A Clinton campaign mailer criticized Obama for telling people “he was for the 2^nd Amendment, in order to get votes.” Sounds familiar.

More recently, at an August appearance in Iowa, Clinton called to “balance the legitimate Second Amendment rights with preventive measures and control measures.” Of course, there can no balancing of a right with an individual that does not even recognize that right’s existence.

The importance of Clinton’s extreme views cannot be overstated.  The next president could be responsible for nominating one or more justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to the dissents issued in the Heller and McDonald decisions, we know that not all of the current justices view the correct interpretation of the Second Amendment as a matter of settled law. According to an item published in the Wall Street Journal, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has noted that a “future, wiser Court” could overturn Heller. If Clinton were president, there can be little doubt that she would choose to nominate those who share her false interpretation of the Second Amendment.

America deserves a president that holds a genuine respect for the individual right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment. It is never too early to learn how to help make this a reality. To find out what you, your family, and your friends can do to help, please visit https://www.nraila.org/take-action/, or call 1-800-392- VOTE (8683).

Battle of the Pumps: Mossberg 500 vs. the Remington 870

If you’re discussing 12-gauge shotguns of the pump-action variety, there is an excellent chance that you’re talking about Remington or Mossberg. As the respective makers of the outstanding Model 870 and Model 500, Big Green and Mossy have the shared reputation for developing and successfully selling the two most popular pump-action shotguns in history. But which is the better shotty? The answer may surprise you.

Action Similarities

There’s nothing quite as versatile as a pump action shotgun for hunting or defense.

Both shotguns have dual action bars, which means that the force applied to the bolt when pumping the forend is equally applied, right and left. This has long been a gold standard when it comes to pump action shotguns, due largely in part to the rampant success of both Mossberg and Remington in this genre.
Screw-in choke tubes are fairly standard on guns from Remington and Mossberg in barrel lengths greater than 22 inches or so, and are included on certain special-edition, 18-inch tactical models. For the most part, 18-inch to 20-inch barrels come sans choke threading.
Of course, these guns are both available in a never-ending variety of configurations, layouts and barrel lengths, from hunting to tactical purposes. And there is a literally endless list of aftermarket accessories and gizmos that can be added to customize your pump-action experience to your preferred tastes.
Remington and Mossberg shotguns alike have seen extensive military use around the globe, and have been proven in combat for decades.

Action Differences

One of the biggest practical differences between the two shotguns lies in their extraction methods. Mossberg thoughtfully included dual extractors on the 500, as opposed to the single extractor on the Remington 870. With cheaper ammo, shotgun extractors can sometimes “jump” over the rim of the shell or even tear through completely. That’s bad.
Mossberg’s twin extractor setup gives the platform an extra level of reliability in this arena, especially when the gun gets hot or dirty in the field. Even if one extractor starts to slip, the chances of the other giving out as well are almost nil.
Remington chose to machine the 870 receiver out of steel, while Mossberg went with the lighter choice of aluminum. While the idea of solid steel may appeal to a certain segment of the market, there’s really no practical difference between the two. Few users will ever have the opportunity to stress a 12-gauge shotgun to the point where an aluminum receiver will bend or break. And there’s no guarantee that similar stresses wouldn’t harm a steel receiver as well.

The Mossberg 590 below is a popular tactical variation on the legendary 500.

It’s simply a matter of taste. Although, due to its choice in receiver material, Mossberg makes a lighter shotgun to carry around.
The Remington 870 is far more compatible with aftermarket screw-on magazine extensions. Some Mossberg 500 variants aren’t even able to accept an extension due to their construction, but it’s easy to add more capacity to any Remington 870.

Loading

One thing is for sure, though, the Mossberg is far easier to reload than the 870. A slight digression from our topic at hand will make everything clear as to why.
In competitive three-gun matches, the pump-action king is the lesser-known Benelli SuperNova, for many reasons. Foremost of these motives is the ease with which the SuperNova can be reloaded, due in part to its cavernous loading port and (this is the point) the ability of the lifter to stay in the “up” position on its own after the first round is loaded.
The Mossberg shares this automatically-staying-up-lifter feature, unlike the Remington 870, where the lifter has to be manually moved out of the way for each shell. This competition-style benefit means that stuffing shells into a Mossberg 500 in the heat of a dove hunt is slightly easier in comparison to the Remington 870.

Controls are King

For the most part, pump-action shotguns have a very limited set of controls: The trigger, a manual safety, and a release button that allows the user to unlock the action without first pulling the trigger. And the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are no different in this regard.

The dual extractors of the Mossberg 500 on the left may provide an edge in reliability over a Remington 870 on the right.

Where they do differ, however, is in how these basic controls are executed. The Mossberg 500 series is the clear winner here. Mossberg places the safety on the tang of the receiver, which puts it in an ideal position to be ridden by the thumbs of both left- and right-handed shooters. And the action release? It’s conveniently located right behind the trigger guard, again within easy reach of righties and lefties.
The 870, in contrast, features a traditional push-button safety that is better suited for right-handers. And the action release is placed far towards the front of the trigger guard, and is impossible to activate without breaking a firing grip.

Final Thoughts

On paper, at least, it seems as though the Mossberg comes out ahead. Lighter construction, better control placement, easier to load, etc. However, that’s simply on paper.
In the real world though, it really doesn’t matter where your action-unlocking button is. In addition, it really doesn’t matter if you’re a half-second slower on your reloads because you use a Remington 870, or if your shotgun weighs a few ounces more than another model.
Think about this: If you are one of the millions of Americans who can’t remember life before his or her Remington 870—or Mossberg 500—came along, you’re not going to be held back by your shotgun no matter who made it. A lifetime of familiarization beats any specification sheet or online article telling you which is best any day of the week.
The fact remains—both the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 have won their places at the table, while putting food on it as well and remaining the defensive (and offensive) tools of choice for citizens and professionals around the world. You just can’t go wrong with either of these hardy workhorses.

You’ll Never Believe What the FBI Says Is Deadlier Than Assault Rifles

Liberals want you to believe the ubiquitous assault rifle is the deadliest weapon in the nation.
That’s why they’re constantly on the attack, trying to make sure you and everyone else knows if it’s got a pistol grip and a magazine greater than 10 rounds it shouldn’t be in the hands of ordinary people.
Problem with this line of thinking is there’s no evidence to support their claims. Even more troubling is that they seem to be effectively indoctrinating most of America in this belief.
Perhaps most troubling is there’s something even more dangerous than the assault rifle and 99.9% of Americans have access to them regardless of age, race, creed, etc.
Curious what’s more dangerous than assault rifles, heck, ALL rifles?
Hands and feet.
Ij Review writes:

Everyday there’s a murder in the United States. And everyday, the U.S. public gets hit with another demand for more “gun control.”
The FBI just released its 2014 list of crime statistics, and there are some data findings that conflict with the calls for more firearms regulations.
The Uniform Crime Reports “2014 crime in the United States” breaks down murder by state, and includes the U.S. territories of the Virgin Islands and Guam.

It shows that there were 11,961 murders in 2014 (there were 31 total in the U.S. territories). And 8,124 of those were committed by firearms.
This is how those numbers look in perspective:

Notice that total murders and firearms murders have dropped again.
More salient for the “gun control” conversation, however, is the focus on so-called “assault rifles.” It turns out that murders by all rifles (as reported by the FBI), including homicides by those semi-automatic rifles that some refer to as “assault rifles,” were only 248 of those murders.
Further contextualizing this statistic is that the total number of murders committed by people’s hands and feet came to 660 – more than double the homicides committed by all rifles.
More precisely, there were 142% more murders by hands and feet in 2014 than by all rifles combined.

It really is too bad this evidence won’t be run by the lamestream media.
They’ll ignore these findings and then run with concocted stories about how mass shootings are on the rise (they’re not) and how the homicide rate is up all over ( it isn’t).
The media has proven over time they care about nothing else other than their agenda.
Do everyone in America a favor.
Share this and let them know assault rifles aren’t as deadly as the media makes them look.

Sig Sauer’s SRD762Ti-QD .308 Rifle Silencer

When I first saw the new crop of Sig Sauer rifle suppressors with their iconic shape, I knew that look was familiar. Then it hit me. It’s almost a dead ringer for the US Navy’s Mk-54 Antisubmarine Torpedo. Coincidence? I think not…

Coincidence? Hmmmm…….

There are a couple of differences. Don’t run this suppressor “wet” like the Mk-54. Rifle-sized pressures and operating “wet” don’t usually go together, at least not safely. Another difference is that the Sig Sauer SRD762Ti-QD is noticeably lighter than the Mk-54, probably because of the use of Titanium. That and the much smaller size. Last, but not least, the Sig SRD762 is way quieter when it goes off. Oh, and as far as I know, the Sig SRD762Ti-QD doesn’t have a magnetic detonator either.
Thanks to some help from our friends at Silencer Shop, I got my hands on a brand-spankin’ new SIG Sauer SRD762Ti-QD suppressor for some serious fun (work and highly scientific testing.) As the name implies, this is a .308 / 7.62mm suppressor, but it’s rated for up to 300 Win Mag and any other cartridge that has same or smaller diameter and pressure.
Sig offers two different designs of the SRD762 suppressor and two different mounting systems, so in total there are four different models in the SRD762 family.
There is a standard SRD762 and an SRD762Ti. The standard model is made from Inconel 718, a Nickel Alloy Stainless Steel. The “Ti” model uses Titanium as the name implies. Basically, you’ll want to choose the Iconel version for heavy and abusive use. The Titanium model uses lighter material so it can be a bit bigger without making the suppressor heavier. Bigger means more air inside, which means less pressure and less noise. Make no mistake, the Titanium version is plenty durable, but if you’re going to use it in a sandbox, maybe choose the Iconel model.
Both models are available in fixed thread mount or QD (quick detach) mount configurations. The new QD system is pretty darn clever, and we’ll get into that more in a minute. The fixed thread models of the SRD762 models use ⅝-inch x 24tpi threading.
Due to the different combinations of materials and mounting systems, the four models have different dimensions and sound suppression performance. Here’s a quick summary.

Tubeless

Most suppressors have a series of baffles that are assembled and then placed inside of an exterior sleeve or tube that contains everything and holds the system together. Many rifle suppressors are permanently constructed this way to handle the crazy high pressures of rifle cartridges. The result is that part of the assembly, and associated weight, serves no real purpose other than structural support. Additionally, the space used by the support tube means less sound-suppressing interior volume inside for any given exterior size. From a pure noise-reduction perspective, the bigger you can make the interior volume, the better.

The QD package mount system is actually two pieces – the suppressor mount itself and a muzzle brake insert.

The idea is that by constructing the entire silencer completely from the baffles, there is more space for air inside and less weight allocated to structural support only. This is why you’ll see a series of ridges all along the suppressor exterior. Those are the weld joints where the baffle rings are attached to each other. It’s a clever idea. Plus, it looks kind of cool. The weld joints are perfectly uniform, so they don’t look like weld joints. They look more like some form of decorative texturing pattern.

The suppressor body is made of a stack of baffle rings welded together.

The blast chamber at the base is made from one solid hunk of metal and the baffle rings extend from there forward.

Mounting System

The mounting system on this suppressor is, well, brilliant. Here’s why.
Direct-thread mount systems are easy and stable. You just screw it onto a threaded barrel and start shooting. The downsides are that it doesn’t come on and off easily and your point of impact may vary between on and off episodes as the silencer mounts a little differently each time. Of course, if you leave a suppressor on one rifle forever, this is a moot point, assuming you don’t remove it for cleaning or maintenance.
Direct-thread mounts also do a good job of keeping the suppressor perfectly aligned with the bore, so you don’t run the risk of a baffle strike. That’s when a very, very slight misalignment of suppressor and bore cause your bullet to whack the inside of the silencer on the way out. That’s bad, especially since you forked over a hefty price to the company, paid $200 in tax, and waited months to get it. Trust me, it a baffle strike totally ruins your day. Don’t ask me how I know.
When using a direct-thread mount, make sure that your don’t use the crush washer that’s already likely between your barrel and existing muzzle device. Normally, crush washers are used to “time” muzzle devices like those A2 flash hiders that come on most AR-type rifles. By “timing” I simply mean alignment. The flat part of the muzzle brake needs to be facing the ground while the open slots face outward and/or up. The crush washer does just what is says, and compresses as you tighten the muzzle brake. It will let you keep turning, up to an additional full turn or more, once it’s tight so you can get perfect alignment of the muzzle device. Crush washers flex and give, and, therefore, open up the possibility of a baffle strike as they don’t provide for an absolutely square mount to the bore line. Make sense?
When you use a suppressor that mounts on a special muzzle device like a flash hider or brake, you get a couple of benefits. First, it pops on and off easily so you can pack it in your bag or switch it between guns. You can shoot unsuppressed or suppressed at will. Second, When you remove the silencer, there is still a muzzle device there to protect the threads and do the things muzzle devices do like brake recoil and hide flashes. Third, a compatible mount and muzzle device keeps your suppressor aligned perfectly with the bore every time you install it, thereby preventing baffle strikes and keeping your point of impact consistent from session to session.
Here’s the trouble with most suppressor mount systems. Unless you’re using a muzzle flash hider mount where orientation doesn’t really matter, you still have to time the suppressor mount and muzzle device so it’s aligned correctly. You can’t use the normal system, a crush washer, for the reasons we just described. Instead, you use one or more flat washers of different thickness so that when you tighten the muzzle device down, it’s in the correct orientation. This is kind of kludgy.
Here’s what Sig did to make a better mousetrap. The suppressor mount and muzzle device are separate, so there are three pieces at play: the mount, the muzzle device, and the suppressor itself. The mount has no specific orientation. Just remove all washers from your threaded barrel, degrease everything, add a little Rocksett, and screw it on tight. It’s symmetrical all around, so, however, it lands on the threads is fine. The muzzle device screws into the interior of the suppressor mount. You can change muzzle devices without moving the suppressor mount at all. Sig offers a variety of muzzle devices that fit into the suppressor mount so you can decide if you want a muzzle brake or flash hider. Since some of those devices need to be timed (oriented properly), you insert a large crush washer between the suppressor mount and muzzle device. That works because when you mount the suppressor, it only contacts the suppressor mount and not the muzzle device. The muzzle device just slips inside of the suppressor body. There is no risk of the crush washer causing misalignment baffle strikes because it plays no direct role with how the suppressor is mounted.

The mount itself is already installed on the rifle barrel. Muzzle devices are just inserts that fit into the mount.

The bottom line is that you get a quick attach and detach mount. The suppressor goes on the same way every time and in perfect alignment. You can do whatever you want with Sig Sauer compatible muzzle devices without worry of impacting suppressor alignment. It’s simple but brilliant.
Large threads allow the suppressor to screw on to the QD mount with two turns. A locking tab makes sure it won’t come off during use. Just press the locking tab before removing the suppressor from the mount.

The Micro-Brake installed into the suppressor mount.

While we’re on a suppressor mount epistle, I should mention one more thing about the suppressor mount system. It uses the new Taper-Lok system. The complete system includes a threaded barrel with a tapered section behind the threads. The mount has a mirror image taper and thread pattern. The barrel and mount pressure fit together via the tapered sections and lock with the threading. If your barrel has no tapered section, that’s fine too, the tapered section within the mount just presses over the ridge at the base of the threaded section. The idea is a more solid and perfectly straight mount that won’t easily loosen. Sig says that it takes 20% more force to remove the mount than to apply it due to the effect of the taper, so the devices are more likely to stay in place through heavy shooting.
OK, so that was a lot of explanation, but the whole approach to the mount system is one of the biggest areas of different with the Sig suppressor line.

Testing

I tested this model on a Daniel Defense DDM4V5 300 Blackout rifle, mainly because I wanted to hear the sound of the bolt operating. Just kidding, but when I did start shooting Sig Sauer 220 grain subsonic 300 Blackout ammo, that was the loudest noise – the bolt moving back and forth. Whoa! That was cool and got major attention at my outdoor range. The even better part was the relative instability of those big, lumbering 220 grain subsonic bullets. As soon as they struck a target, they would tumble and go whizzing off into the backstop making all sorts of awesome sound effects.
I also shot a variety of 300 Blackout supersonic ammo. Of course, the sonic crack is still there, but that’s moving away from you. The suppressor did a fine job of negating the muzzle blast, so the shots sounded more like compressed air being released from a tank from the shooters position.

The suppressor body locks onto the mount with a locking tab. Just press and you can then unscrew the silencer from the mount.

One thing I did notice was a significant tightening of groups when I mounted the suppressor. I set up a target 100 yards down range and fired groups with both supersonic and subsonic ammunition with only the Micro-Brake muzzle device in place. I then screwed on the suppressor and reshot groups. Both super and subsonic groups were noticeably tighter when shooting suppressed.
I also took this opportunity to check for point of impact shift between suppressed and unsuppressed shooting. For the supersonic ammo I was using, there was about a one-inch vertical shift in point of impact downward when I added the suppressor. For the subsonic ammo Sig Sauer ammo, there was about a ½-inch shift to the right at 100 yards when I added the silencer.

Price

I like this silencer, especially the mounting system. The QD mount is forgiving when crud starts to accumulate, so you’ll still be about to mount and un-mount it without undue effort. The separate muzzle device and suppressor mount design is a great idea and works really well.
The manufacturer suggested retail prices of the four different models are:
SRD762 Direct Mount: $595
SRD762Ti Direct Mount: $795
SRD762-QD: $695
SRD762Ti-QD: $895
Check Silencer Shop for street prices and availability.

10 Really Cool AR-15s

The ArmaLite-designed Colt AR-15 rifle has been changed, modified, experimented-on, improved and enhanced in such varied ways since its 1963 début that no one on this earth can tell you how many mods this black rifle platform has seen.
Based on Eugene Stoner’s 7.62x51mm AR-10, traditionally the AR-15 is chambered for 5.56mm/.223 Remington and operates from either a direct gas impingement or piston-driven system. From there, manufacturers and individuals have taken liberties with the AR’s basic design and aesthetics. For example, Windham’s VEX-SS with forest green laminated wood stock is barely recognizable as an AR-15 and Troy Defense’s new Troy Sporting PAR rifle isn’t even an AR at all! Many AR builders are making rifles in .300 Blackout or 6.8 SPC, while pistol calibers are popular, as well.
From pink to camo to flat dark earth, it isn’t just the finish manufacturers are playing with. Innovations in stock designs, rails and handguards, many are constantly trying to raise the bar in making every aspect of the AR-15 more reliable, more accurate and better suited to individual shooters needs. Most AR-15s share similar aesthetic features. The modularity of the platform is what makes it so adaptable to custom specs and AR manufacturers’ whims. You may think your handpicked piece-by-piece home-built AR is the coolest, but these 10 really cool factory ARs will give your rifle a run for its money.

1. KE Arms USM4 Mode 3 Select Fire

What makes it especially cool?
The Tac-Con rapid-fire trigger and KE Arms donates a portion of sales to help Special Force veterans and their families

The KE Arms USM4 Mode 3 select fire semiautomatic rifle has the Tac-Con rapid-fire trigger installed.

The KE Arms USM4 Mode 3 select fire semiautomatic rifle has the Tac-Con rapid-fire trigger installed and three select fire modes—safe, fire and auto. The Tac-Con’s 3MR trigger is 100 percent legal to own without a Class III license or tax stamp. That’s because Tac-Con’s 3MR trigger shoots in semiauto mode only. However, it allows for an “incredibly positive reset,” allowing the shooter to rapidly fire the rifle. The USM4 Mode 3 rifle has a 5.56mm chrome moly vanadium MIL-SPEC chamber and a 16-inch cold hammer-forged, high-pressure tested M4 barrel. The lower receiver is machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum while the upper is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum forgings. Both the upper and lower receiver have NP3 nickel-Teflon coating. KE Arms uses its own U.S.-made H2 buffer. The USM4 Mode 3 select fire rifle has a VLTOR charging handle, A.R.M.S. rear folding sight, Magpul pistol grip, trigger guard and stock, and a KeyMod handguard. It comes with five Magpul PMAGS.

2. LWRC Tricon MK6 Carbine

What makes it especially cool?
The Geissele Automatics Super Tricon 2-stage trigger and the 14.5-inch spiral fluted barrel

The Tricon MK6 has the best trigger you can find on an AR-15—the Super Tricon 2-stage trigger.

For a rifle where you do not need to upgrade a single part, check out LWRC’s Tricon Mark 6 semiautomatic rifle. Working with Geissele Automatics, the Tricon MK6 has the best trigger you can find on an AR-15—the Super Tricon 2-stage trigger. Geissele Automatics incorporates a MIL-SPEC pin and stainless steel springs on its trigger. The trigger is straighter at the bottom with a serrated front. The first stage has a 2.5-pound pull and the second stage has a 2-pound pull with an overall total trigger pull weight of 4.5 pounds. This limited run rifle features a unique spiral fluted barrel that lightens the weight of the barrel at the muzzle. It is 14.5 inches long with a permanently attached flash hider making the barrel a legal 16 inches overall with a 1:7-inch twist. Firearms trainer and former U.S. Navy Seal Jeff Gonzolas hand-selected each LWRC Tricon MK6 AR feature. The LWRC Tricon Mark 6 has a Bravo Company Gunfighter Gen 4 charging handle, SOPMOD stock and a MIL-SPEC safety. Chambered for 5.56mm NATO, the MK6 includes a 30-round magazine. This short-stroke piston operated AR-15 by LWRC also has Magpul sights, pistol grip and trigger guard. It includes a custom-designed rifle case and sling.

3. H&K MR556A1

What makes it especially cool?
The extremely reliable H&K 416 short-stroke gas system

The rifle’s operating system incorporates a solid operating push rod that replaces the gas tube found on all other AR-15 rifles—an operating system proprietary to H&K.

Based on the H&K 416 rifle—the rifle used to kill Osama Bin Laden, the H&K MR556A1 is the first opportunity for civilians to own one of the legendary rifles. The rifle’s operating system incorporates a solid operating push rod that replaces the gas tube found on other AR-15 rifles—an operating system proprietary to H&K. Also exclusive to the MR556A1 is the H&K diopter sight system with a fixed front and rotating drum with V-notch rear sight. Built in the United States with U.S.- and German-made parts, the H&K MR556A1 spent five years in development. The German produced parts include the 16.5-inch cold hammer forged barrel (not chrome lined), bolt assembly, fire control group and handguard. Every part on the H&K MR556A1 increases the rifle’s accuracy and reliability from the bolt carrier group and tungsten-filled buffer—that helps reduce recoil—to the two-stage trigger and collapsible H&K stock. The H&K MR556 also has a free-float rail system handguard and uses 20 or 30-round Magpul “E” mags.

4. WMD Guns “The Beast”

What makes it especially cool?
The NiB-X nickel boron coatings inside and outside the rifle

WMD Guns is the first to release an AR-15 that is almost all NiB-X nickel boron coated inside and out.

WMD Guns is the first to release an AR-15 that is almost all NiB-X nickel boron coated inside and out. This coating resists friction, wear, feeding issues, lube and fouling build up. The Beast’s upper and lower receivers, barrel, barrel extension, gas system, muzzle brake, bolt carrier group, fire control group, handguard, and receiver extension are NiB-X nickel boron coated. Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, the made-in-the-USA WMD Beast has a 16-inch match-grade chrome moly vanadium steel barrel with a 1:7 twist. The lower receiver is constructed of billet 7075-T6 aluminum and the upper is made of MIL-SPEC 7075-T6 aluminum forgings. Operating from a direct impingement gas system, the Beast has a properly staked gas key and the bolt carrier group is MIL-SPEC MP tested. The rifle comes with two NiB-X coated 30 round magazines with a Magpul follower and a Drago tactical bag.

5. Rock River LAR-15 Fred Eichler Series Predator

What makes it especially cool?
Made to famous hunter Fred Eichler’s specifications for varmint hunting and the specially designed muzzle brake with no venting underneath

Rock River Arms built the LAR-15 to famous hunter Fred Eichler’s specifications specifically for varmint hunting.

Rock River Arms built the LAR-15 to famous hunter Fred Eichler’s specifications for varmint hunting. What stands out on this rifle is the tan furniture and rails, but most importantly, the specially designed Rock River Arms-made muzzle brake that has no venting underneath. Fred requested the special muzzle brake so the rifle does not kick up dirt, sand or debris when fired. Fred Eichler’s Predator series AR-15 from Rock River Arms has a .223 Wylde chamber. The .223 Wylde is a reamer used in the making of the chamber for the barrel to safely and reliably shoot both .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO ammo. Rock River Arms forges both the upper and lower receivers in-house. The LAR-15 has a 16-inch cryo-treated, free-floating stainless steel heavy barrel with 1:8 twist. There is a big latch on the BCMGunfighter charging handle for ease of use. The enlarged trigger guard houses a two-stage, 3.5-pound trigger. There is also a tan Hogue rubber grip and Operator A2 stock. The handguard on the RRA LAR-15 Fred Eichler Series Predator AR-15 features heat-dissipating coyote tracks.

6. Black Rain Ordnance BRO-PG2Piston

What makes it especially cool?
Made entirely in the United States using American metal, the FDE furniture and anodized digital tan finished upper and lower receivers

Made entirely in the United States using American metal, the BRO-PG2Piston has FDE furniture and anodized digital tan finished upper and lower receivers.

Missouri-based Black Rain Ordnance makes most of its own parts, like its drop-in trigger installed on the BRO-PG2Piston AR-15. The BRO trigger is single-stage measuring 3.5 pounds and the hammer and sear is S7 tool steel. Black Rain Ordnance makes the BRO-PG2Pistons’ uppers, lowers, rails, triggers, muzzle brakes, fire control groups and charging handles in-house. When Black Rain uses other manufacturer’s parts, it never skimps on quality, like the Adam Arms piston system. The uppers and lowers are billet aluminum. The rifle has a 16-inch stainless steel, fluted barrel with a Black Rain MFS milled stainless steel flash hider attached. The 7-inch quad rail is finished in flat dark earth, as well as is the Magpul MOE grip and FDE Magpul UBR fixed buttstock adjustable for length of pull. Preset the seven different lengths of pull adjustments to your preferred length. Overall, the BRO rifle is 33 inches and weighs 7 pounds 4 ounces.

7.Daniel Defense M4A1

What makes it especially cool?
The M4A1 RIS II rail system—the same rail used on the U.S. Spec Ops Command (SOCOM) SOPMOD II weapons system

The Daniel Defense M4A1 has the M4A1 RIS II rail system—the same rail used on the US Spec Ops Command (SOCOM) SOPMOD II weapons system.

Built around the United States Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) SOPMOD II weapons system M4A1 RIS II rail system, Daniel Defense outfits the M4A1 with its new buttstock and pistol grip. The 14.5-inch chrome moly vanadium steel barrel is cold-hammer forged, chrome-lined and MP-tested. With a permanently attached Daniel Defense flash suppressor, the barrel is 16 inches long. The bolt carrier group on the DD M4A1 is MIL-SPEC MP-tested, chrome-lined and has a properly staked gas key. The rifle operates on a carbine-length direct gas impingement system and has an H buffer. The upper and lower receivers are MIL-SPEC and CNC machined from 7075-T6 aluminum with a Type III hard coat anodized finish. Chambered in 5.56mm NATO and shipping with one 30-round Magpul PMAG, the Daniel Defense M4A1 carbine has a new 1911-style pistol grip with soft overmolding. Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and Type III hard coat anodized with an FDE finish, the rail system on the M4A1 rifle, known as the M4A1 Rail Interface System, has Santoprene heat-resistant rails. Daniel Defense rifles are U.S.-made and the M4A1 ships in a Daniel Defense plastic rifle case.

8. SIG Sauer M400 Carbon FS

What makes it especially cool?
The carbon fiber fixed A1 stock and extended forend—severely cutting down the overall weight of the rifle

The carbon fiber fixed A1 stock and extended forend—severely cutting down the overall weight of the rifle.

The SIG Sauer M400 Carbon FS shares many of the same upgrades as the desirable SIG516 Patrol rifle, but operates from a direct gas impingement system rather than gas piston. The M400 series rifles have the same nitride-treated barrels and tight fitting between the 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminum upper and lower receivers. Chambered for 5.56mm NATO, the SIG M400 Carbon FS has a two-stage match trigger, flip-up sights, ambidextrous sling mounts, A2 flash suppressor, accessory rail and a chrome-lined bolt carrier with properly staked gas key. To keep the weight low on the M400 Carbon FS, SIG utilizes a carbon fiber fixed A1 buttstock and extended forend. Overall, the rifle is 35.1 inches long and weighs only 7 pounds. Included is a 30-round Lancer L5 magazine.

9. Windham Weaponry VEX-SS

What makes it especially cool?
The 5.56 Compass Lake chamber

The Windham Weaponry Varmint Exterminator VEX-SS rifle features a 5.56 Compass Lake chamber.

The Windham Weaponry Varmint Exterminator VEX-SS rifle features a 5.56 Compass Lake chamber. This chamber has a leade that is shorter than 5.56, but not as short as .223 Remington. Further, the angle of the rifling is slightly different than standard, the overall dimensions are tighter and the bolt is matched to the chamber. This makes a more accurate rifle. Many competition shooters use a Compass Lake chamber. The VEX-SS is a gas impingement AR-15 with a 20-inch fluted precision 416R stainless steel heavy barrel with a 1:8-inch twist, target muzzle crown and bead-blast non-reflective finish. The fully polished trigger has a 5-pound pull. Windham Weaponry developed many of the features on the VEX-SS AR-15, making them in-house including the Picatinny gas block and free-floating aluminum handguard. The Varmint Exterminator includes a five-round magazine and padded, fixed skeletonized Ace buttstock.

10. DPMS Panther MINI SASS

What makes it especially cool?
The 18-inch machined 416 stainless steel, fluted, Teflon-coated non-reflective matte black barrel

This precision rifle has an 18-inch machined 416 stainless steel, fluted and Teflon-coated bull barrel.

The DPMS Panther MINI SASS is the 5.56mm NATO-chambered model of the LRT-SASS, which DPMS developed when the US Army solicited for a new sniper rifle platform. SASS stands for semiautomatic sniper system. This precision rifle has an 18-inch machined 416 stainless steel, fluted and Teflon-coated bull barrel with a 1:8-inch twist. The upper is an A3 flat top with free-floating rail forged from 7075-T6 aluminum. DPMS chose the Magpul PRS (Precision-Adjustable Stock) for the MINI SASS, which is adjustable for comb height and length of pull. On the rifle is a JP single-stage trigger measuring 4.5 pounds. The mid-length gas system extends the life of the rifle. DPMS incorporated its own Panther flash hider and tactical grip on the MINI SASS. Included is a Harris swiveling bipod.

Four Reasons Why the Operating Rod AR-15 Might be the Worst Gun Idea Ever

There’s a persistent line of thinking among certain circles in the shooting community that goes like this: Since many reliable firearms have an operating rod, replacing the direct impingement gas tube and bolt carrier group of the AR-15 will make it more reliable. This is a false equivalency, with its roots based on the old wives’ tale that direct impingement guns are inherently unreliable.
A semi-truck has 18 wheels designed to drive long distances. Wouldn’t it be awesome if your commuter car did too? Perhaps, but probably not. It’s the same way with AR-15s equipped with an operating rod. Here are four reasons why you’re almost always better off sticking to a high quality, direct impingement rifle:

1. Operating rods tend to introduce more problems than they solve.

The AR-15 rifle is more complex than many shooters believe. There is far more to the function of the system than a simple “gas blows the bolt carrier back.” When the volume of gas heading toward the receiver enters the carrier key, it actually pressurizes the area adjacent to the gas rings.

Starting with quality parts is the best way to get a reliable rifle. Not by adding the unneeded complexity of an operating rod.

This pushes the bolt forward, and keeps the entire assembly locked until pressures have dropped to a safe level and the brass case has contracted. If you remove this influx of gas by replacing the gas tube with an operating rod, you have a far more abrupt and violent system. The operating rod acts like a hammer, and bullies the bolt carrier group backwards in a most impolite fashion.
But that’s not the end of the piston-driven AR-15’s troubles. The battering ram-like rod forces the entire carrier down at an oblique angle, which causes “carrier tilt.” This tilt erodes the area of the receiver just in front of the buffer tube, and can cause major problems over time.
Furthermore, the additional reciprocating mass of an operating rod is much harder on gas blocks and bolt carrier groups, especially in simple conversion kits. Granted, many companies (such as LWRC) have perfected the overall system and removed most of the early problems. However, this comes at an added cost.

2. The direct impingement design works just fine. Really.

…and if it doesn’t, something is wrong with how your rifle is built.
If you still think of a standard AR-15 as inherently unreliable, you need to get with the times. Properly built guns, such as anything from Bravo Company Manufacturing, Daniel Defense or FNH, USA will be as reliable as the day is long.
Arms makers like the ones above listed prove that the old, tired argument of “The direct impingement rifle defecates where it eats, and that’s bad!” just doesn’t hold water. But, you don’t have to spend over a grand just to get a reliable rife. Doing your research and purchasing reputable parts from the get-go will go a long way toward owning a bombproof gun.

Here, we can see harmles carbon buildup on the tail of the bolt

As with any rifle (with or without an operating rod), proper maintenance is essential. Keeping both types of gun properly lubricated with a proven product such as FrogLube or M-Pro 7 is a requirement for stellar performance under all conditions.

3. Spare parts.

In the extremely unlikely (read: impossible) failure of a standard gas tube on a semiautomatic rifle, a replacement can be readily found nearly anywhere gun gear is sold. That’s because the direct-impingement gun is the standard. Plus, it’s easy to keep one or more on hand very, very cost-effectively.
This isn’t the case with operating rod-based rifles. All parts are proprietary from manufacture to manufacturer, and are always more expensive than a simple gas tube or spare bolt and carrier. Plus, you’ll need multiple specialized parts just for one rifle to cover all of your bases. And good luck finding those spares if the world abruptly decides to end, and you need to bail out.

4. Weight and complexity.

Rifles with an operating rod always add more weight and complexity to the overall gun, with few, if any, tangible benefits. In most cases, you’re better off sticking to the tried-and-true direct impingement methods.
Much can be said about light rifles, and doing everything possible to keep the overall weight down. If your rifle can be built without sacrificing reliability, why go with a heavier option? Adding comparative complexity with an operating rod is simply unneeded.
Even if it could be proven that an operating-rod equipped rifle was objectively more reliable than a properly built direct-impingent gun (and it hasn’t been proven), most users don’t shoot enough to have an actual need for the extra reliability.

This simple part is the key to the AR-15’s reputation for reliability

For the average shooter, a direct impingement gun is far more than good enough.

So, is that the end of the story with AR-15 operating rods?

All that being said, there is one area where an operating-rod driven AR-15 makes sense: With ultra-short barrels (10.5 inches and under, typically) and a suppressor. These unique conditions can cause issues for a direct impingement gun when used heavily, due to the greatly reduced dwell time of shorter barrels, and increased backpressure from use with a suppressor.
Rather than fundamentally changing the design of the AR-15 and adding multiple parts while introducing a new set of problems, simply set up your standard barrel length direct impingement gun for success, and shoot the snot out of it with quality ammo.