It’s not my job to defend the concept, but when I read the first article about the weapon, its size was critical to be able to fit into the space available (under the ejection seat, IIRC). The upper of a conventional rifle with that length barrel would make the overall length of the package significantly greater than this design. This design also permits use of a reasonable barrel length. In addition, assembling the upper and lower is indeed easy, especially while working at a well-lighted bench, but I believe this design would be a bit quicker and less likely to be fumbled, especially in a dark and muddy place. And this design would be less vulnerable to foreign stuff entering the action prior to or during assembly, especially if it were equipped with removable caps over the rear of the barrel and front of the receiver. In a survival situation with bad guys in the area things sometimes get a bit tense and rushed.
The folding handgrip would presumably be usable on any similar gun, but it also reduces the overall size.
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“It is peace for our time.” — Neville the Appeaser
Posts: 48115 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002
Wasn't there a platform like this years ago? I can't remember the brand but I remember a barrel swap or to install one, could be done with 2 levers to hold the barrel onto the upper. A friend of mine had one years ago and thought it was neat.
Wouldn't it make more sense for the AF to issue a 10.5 inch barreled carbine and just separate the upper and lower halves using the standard takedown pins?
Posts: 2587 | Location: WI | Registered: December 29, 2012
Originally posted by bigwagon: Wouldn't it make more sense for the AF to issue a 10.5 inch barreled carbine and just separate the upper and lower halves using the standard takedown pins?
Some of us wouldn’t think so. To reiterate, the overall length of the separated package is critical for the requirement. If my measurements are correct, even shortening the barrel by 2 inches to 10.5 would leave it somewhat longer than the MI version. A shorter barrel also loses more ballistic effectiveness. Then there is the fact that separating the upper and lower receivers increases the likelihood of stuff like mud and sand getting into the action in a survival situation.
And of course, there’s the coolness factor of having something that’s unique.
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“It is peace for our time.” — Neville the Appeaser
Posts: 48115 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002
Originally posted by patw: Wasn't there a platform like this years ago? I can't remember the brand but I remember a barrel swap or to install one, could be done with 2 levers to hold the barrel onto the upper. A friend of mine had one years ago and thought it was neat.
Ruger SR556 takedown?
Posts: 3500 | Location: South FL | Registered: February 09, 2007
The AF could save a buttload of $$$ and just buy a bunch of Kel-Tec Sub2000 carbines and they could even have magazines that interchange with the pilot's pistols. But that would make way too much sense of course!
Unfold, load and ready to fire in about 8 seconds.
Posts: 35488 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: November 12, 2007
Since I'm newly on the market for an AR-style weapon, I'd consider one of these!
You can't truly call yourself "peaceful" unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of great violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless.
NRA Benefactor/Patriot Member
Posts: 2857 | Location: Peoples Republic of North Virginia | Registered: December 04, 2015
I like it. I don't like it better than the AR Pistol I have now with a folding stock, er, brace. But I do like it. Folded Stock Adaptor w/o sling. by Dave Steier, on Flickr
Rolan Kraps SASS Regulator Gainesville, Georgia. NRA Range Safety Officer NRA Certified Instructor - Pistol / Personal Protection Inside the Home
Posts: 23583 | Location: Gainesville, GA | Registered: October 11, 2005
I carried one of the original GAU5’s as a security police Lt in SAC 8n the 80’s. I think it was 15 or 20 years old when it was issued to me. Not bad for what it intended to be.