SgtToadette

I've had a Cold Steel or two and if there's one thing I like about the newer locks, it's that they're solid as a tank.

I honestly don't see many issues with the ARAK that aren't also problems of other newer rifle designs like the SCAR or ACR besides the size of the manufacturer (a valid concern). Proprietary parts? Check. Not an AR? Check. Not an AK? Check. Hefty price tag? Check. While I'd take the SCAR if given the choice between the three (even though I hate reciprocating charging handles), all these rifles are new and will of course never have the same track record as the AR or AK. I don't think that should get in the way of trying new designs, though. I don't think we should neuter innovations because they fail to meet standards we've made impossible to meet. That said, what a purchaser does need to be aware of is that they are effectively the beta testers of the concept. The theory behind the ARAK seems pretty sound (though you know what they say about things that seem too good to be true), but just know what you're getting into by buying one. You are determining whether or not the theory works in practice. If the idea of being a guinea pig doesn't bother you, then I say go for it.

I say go for the ARAK if it makes you happy and the cost isn't a problem. I'd just be sure to train with it since your manual of arms will be slightly different than your typical AR. I own a PWS rifle, which is along the same lines as the ARAK. You're going to have a lot of people talk about proprietary parts, which you should be aware of and keep a stock of. I wouldn't let it alone steer you away. You'll also have people asking what is wrong with the DI system. Just remember it's your money and you can spend it how you wish. I happen to like piston guns for personal reasons.

I agree. Really nice look Shawn!

http://rt.com/news/kalashnikov-dies-inventor-ak-47-887/ Real loss of an ingenious designer. If I was a drinker I'd be having a shot of vodka tonight in his honor.

Here's the point: Pistol calibers suck. .45 ACP sucks slightly less than 9mm. This is not about my needing to compensate for low accuracy (that is not the case). Capacity is never a bad thing and I'd rather have more capacity than slightly better "punch", especially when shot placement matters equally for both rounds. I'd also rather have improved recoil properties.

So should I carry a Desert Eagle if I shoot .50AE well? I also don't plan on shooting grizzly bears with my PPQ.

I never understood the "9mm sucks because it has too much capacity" argument. I don't need to shoot all 19 (or 15 for our purposes). If a person wants to gamble their lives on averages then that's their prerogative. Sure, .45 ball has a track record of 100 years. So what? This is 2013 and I'm not limited by the Hague Convention. I'd rather be shooting a Hornady 135gr Critical Duty than a generic .45 ball which is the basis for that track record we hear so much about. It doesn't change ballistic data, and a 9mm hollow point is a sufficient and capable pistol cartridge. Of course a .45 will do more per bullet all other things being equal, but that's not the point. At the end of the day, we're talking pistols here and whether one pebble is slightly bigger than another misses the point that we're still talking about pebbles. I'd rather have 15 medium pebbles than 8 slightly-larger-but-still-medium-sized pebbles in my pocket (and I'd rather have a rifle over either).

KAC makes Offset Sights. BCM will have a VFG within a year. PWS makes a bipod adapter. HSP and Noveske have light mounts. Brass catcher? Really? By your logic, nothing should ever replace 1913 because it's so widespread. Any new mounting option is going to have to overcome that hurdle and Keymod is doing very well considering how flooded the market is. If you're not willing to jump ship that's fine, but I don't think you're being fair to the system.

BCM will be producing a vertical grip within a year.

Bringing carbon fiber into the discussion is comparing apples to oranges. This isn't a conversation about carbon fiber vs. aluminum, it's a conversation about new mounting solutions vs. traditional mounting solutions. I'm looking at the specs for the BCM 13" keymod rail, which they're quoting at 7.7 oz. including mounting hardware. It's definitely pricey for a rail at $270 retail, but it's a brand spanking new system. The fact is that keymod is a subtractive mounting method and 1913 is an additive mounting method, regardless of whether or not you get to pick and choose where to mount it. I have never heard the thin profile of keymod systems to be a complaint, only ever have I heard people raving about how the low profile allows for greater weapon control. The problem with the modular rail panel handguards is that you need an intermediary mounting panel. So rather than simply throwing a foregrip on, for example, you need to throw on a 1913 panel, then the foregrip. You've now added an unneeded weight and bulk to every accessory you want to mount on the 3, 6, or 9 o'clock position. If I want to throw a light on the 3 o'clock side of my keymod system, I can directly attach a 1 oz mount to the handguard and be done. The light will also be closer to my hands natural resting position by maintaining a more consistent profile. That's not to mention that almost all new keymod rails makes have 8 mounting sides rather than the traditional 4. Keymod isn't for everybody, but it's certainly not a bad choice and it's only going to continue to grow as more big companies adopt and develop products which direct attach. That was the point of my post. The product is still in the early stages and I'm trying to find out what works best with what the market has available right now.

And plenty of Kimbers have failed under little to no use.

The cheek weld seems like a hybrid between a MOE/CTR and the B5 Bravo. They're definitely unique, which is cool in itself.

I'm vegetarian and don't condemn hunters. It makes more sense to me that people hunt animals and are aware of what is necessary for meat to exist than for someone to order a package from their local grocer and have the violence occur out of sight, out of mind. The cognitive dissonance that I see in most people is frustrating. If you wouldn't do it it with your own hand every time you eat it's not ethical to enjoy the fruits of the activity by having someone else do it for you.

I never see anyone rock these. They seem pretty decent.

I'm in the same boat.

It's all about the weight. A Daniel Defense 12in Lite Rail weighs in at 14oz and a PWS 15in Keymod rail weights 13.3oz. So I'm getting a longer rail for less weight. It's important weight too, because it's coming off the muzzle end of the rifle. Accessories also weigh less because the interface is more efficient. I've never owned a traditional 1913 rail so replacing all my accessories isn't a big deal.

So I've revisited this page a couple times and I'm seriously considering taking this. Just need to see if I can free up the funds.

It's about time that they switched to 9mm. The 40 needed to go.

*sigh* ...yeeeeeeah...

The tube runs, like, over $100, so financially it makes more sense to try and salvage it. If I ran a standard tube I would, though. EDIT: I misunderstood what you were saying. I may just do that...

I just ordered a BCM mod3 grip and I'll report back with my results. Unfortunately, my current stock (MOE) is pinned through the buffer tube and I don't have the tools to remove it myself. It may be a while before I get the chance to install the B5 bravo.

Over what and why? P.S. HE, what's the deal with the Tango Down grip on the dept gun? Always looked weird to me.

I agree about the BCM panels. They have a Fisher Price™ vibe to them (which is kind of hysterical). If the Noveske panels were more solid I'd use them exclusively, especially with the ability to seamlessly integrate a handstop. If Magpul came out with a kit I would be so happy. They only seem to cater to popular platforms (look how long it took them to make AK accessories) and will probably wait for Keymod to gain more traction before they hop on. Magpul is a lot of good things, but entrepreneurs they are not. Maybe I'll send them an email with some comments.

Unfortunately nobody makes a keymod vfg, but I'm sure it's in the works. Rumor has it that BCM is working on some keymod accessories that they'd likely show off at Shot Show. On that note, I think Shot Show will be pretty keymod heavy.