I have yet to see one of these on the forum, so here goes. Disclaimer: This opinion is my own. I have no affiliation with NGA, and have only spoken with them by phone. My uncle knows the owner, (more on that later), but I do not.

This is my Next Generation Arms AR. The model number is MP 168 SPC (I believe the number is a reference to a soldier that fell in Viet Nam. The SPC is Special Purpose Carbine). This is the only version they currently sell. The serial number is a special request, the details of which I won't get into. The website for NGA is NextGenerationArms.Com and they can also be found in the Industry forum.

The rifle has very nice fit and finish overall. There is no movement between the upper and lower, and you have to use a tool to push the takedown pin out. This color (one of seven offered) is Tactical Gray. Most of the sourced parts are high quality stuff: Noveski 14.5" barrel (1-in-7 twist) with a pinned PWS FSC556 flash/comp. Jard Trigger. ARMS SIR rails and BUIS front and rear. KNS anti-rotation pins. NGA makes the upper, lower, bolt and carrier. Enidine hydraulic buffer. Mid length gas impingement system, etc. The specs are on the website.

My additions were the Eotech, TRL1 light, Magpul CTR stock, MIAD grip, and vertical grip. More on that later.

What makes NGA unique (as far as I know) is that every metal part of the weapon, except for the chamber itself and the rear sight, are coated in a proprietary ceramic coating. This does several things. They can make a wide range of colors, it essentially waterproofs the weapon, and the entire action runs very smoothly. It also makes it very easy to clean. But the most significant difference from most AR platforms is that they recommend running them with no lubrication. They do add that some individual rifles may like to have the bolt oiled and then wiped clean, but most need none. The idea is that the ceramic coating IS the lubricant, and taking oil out of the system reduces the gunk and buildup, as carbon and fouling are not stuck in the action by the oil. That's my poor layman's oversimplification anyway. The rifle also resists heat buildup, cools faster and in theory will have less heat related failures in the long term. (Heat being the enemy of all things mechanical).

The oddest part about the weapon is cleaning it. To protect the ceramic coating they recommend nylon brushes (which is fine, nothing sticks anyway, even in the barrel). But for a cleaning agent...Windex. And it works well. Everything basically wipes clean, and the excess evaporates off. The first time I didn't have any Windex handy, and used CLP. This was a mistake, because the CLP won't cling to the ceramics, and the rifle bled oil from every hole for a week. Three passes down the barrel with a nylon brush and three more with a patch, wipe down the bolt and action, and she's clean. Very slick. NGA suggests cleaning is optional if you are not an "operator".

Shooting: This is where the rifle really impressed me. The comp, coated internals (including inside the buffer tube) and buffer make for a very smooth shooting rifle, even for an AR. I shot it side by side with my Bushmaster and the Bushie suddenly felt like it was slapping me. The MP168 has very little muzzle rise, and drops right back on target. The light trigger and fast reset mean I can basically shoot as fast as I want in the prone or braced sitting positions. With or without the VFG close range failure drills are easy to control.

The proof for me was in the pudding so to speak. On my department qualifications I usually score around 44-46 out of 50. I qualified with the MP168 50 out of 50 without doing anything different, with time left over. I attribute it to the minimal movement of the weapon while firing. (THis involves small 100 meter targets, timed shooting, tactical reloads and failure drills.

Downsides: This weapon does have a few limitations. The ARMS SIR means you are stuck with the riser on the flat top. Which means that when I look through the BUIS I see the NV button on the back of my eotech. No cowitness possible. I am considering going to a reddot with no spacer, but I like the reticle. In the meantime I have a quick release to dump the eotech in a hurry if need be.

My rifle shipped with a Command Arms Accessories stock and grip. The grip was interesting, but too small for my gorilla paws. Hence the MIAD. The stock...that was disappointing. It rattled and the cheekpiece was useless. The latch on the battery compartment is rickety. The whole thing just felt cheap. But it was going to get replaced anyway and probably no worse than a standard 5-position. Interestingly, they do not appear on the rifles on the website, and I suspect NGA has stopped using them. The buffer tube is commercial but that makes no difference to me.

Also, it's a little heavy. I thought the SIR was an unusual choice, but it has really grown on me. If you want something else, talk to them before the build. I'm keeping the SIR since it too is coated and therefore weatherproof. I use only enough rail for the light and VFG, so the rest is unnecessary, but obviously that's mission-dependent. In spite of the felt-weight it tracks very quickly with the 14.5 barrel. Amazing the difference 1.5 inches makes. (Go ahead, make jokes. I'll wait).

Last, the cost. It's expensive. Period. Beyond reach for many, including me. But if you were buying a SCAR or ACR anyway...consider this weapon. NGA is a very small company with high quality control, and offers a lifetime warranty. I think the asking price now is $2700.

Which brings me to my last two points. When I got my rifle, I put about 600 rounds through it and had several issues, mostly bolt override FTF issues and some frightening multi-fires. I thought I was inadvertently bump firing at first. NGA shipped the rifle both ways at their own expense, and determined the problem was a defective buffer and buffer spring combination. They stood by the product and were apologetic. I think his words were "It never should have made it out the door like that." Since the repair, 1100 rounds downrange with the only malfunction coming from me not seating a mag, which fell out. Duh.

I would not have been able to buy this weapon on my own, nor could I have gambled on an unknown (to me) product with that kind of cash if I had it. My Uncle Mike called me up one day and starts raving on and on about how great these rifles are. He'd bout two of the earlier models, then an MP168, and in doing so got to know the owner of NGA. Now Uncle Mike is a serious guy, doesn't mess around when it comes to weapons, and is a combat vet. So I tend to listen to him about things like this. I acknowledged that they sounded interesting, but the price tag made it out of the question given my circumstances (recently divorced). At this point Uncle Mike (who has done pretty well for himself over the years) said he was pretty sure I'd say that, but since I carried a rifle for a living, and he was sure this one was the best, he was going to buy me one. Something about it maybe saving my life or somebody else's. I didn't know what to say, and figured if he'd been drinking he'd come to his senses later. I had it in hand a month later, and now it rides in my patrol car. I can honestly say I have more confidence in this weapon than any other I have had the chance to use.

Thanks Uncle Mike.  





















Sorry for the half-assed pictures.

Pastry

Great review - very nice rifle.  Thanks for sharing.  Be safe out there.

p.s. You have one amazing Uncle!

Thats a really good looking stick

i think the gray color looks great.

Thanks, yes he is, thanks, and I agree, the color is really nice. Kinda disappears in an urban environment.

One thing I can't share over the net is that the ceramic finish feels really nice...different in a way I am struggling to articulate. Smoother, but...I dunno, something else.

I agree that grey is kick ass!!!

Good to see something about those rifles. They approached me and offered a rifle for T&E, I sent off my FFL copy, never heard from them again.

When was this?  A year or 2 ago I remember they were in the process of restructuring and moving locations from OR to ID.  You may have been lost in the shuffle because of that...

ETA: Are you sure they make their bolts and carriers?  When i toured their OR facility all they were making was the uppers and lowers...that may have changed, but it wasnt something they were doing then as far as I know.  But then again, a lot has changed with them. (back then they made like 8 different models, now theyve only got 1)

They moved to Idaho from Oregon earlier this year. i know because that's when I did the warranty return, and they had shipping problems due to the move invalidating their FFL.

I'd call and ask them again about the T&E rifle. It's worth your time.

I don't know for sure. The website says they do.

Wow, small world. Ran into you at the norpoint indoor range the last time I was on leave (several months ago). You were function testing the rifle with a bunch of ammo.  
That's when I started considering the PWS compensator.

Why did you decide to take the magnifier off?

I typically carry the magnifier in a pouch on my chest rig. Keeps the weight of the weapon down and protects the magnifier. So I have it if I need it, and by definition if using it I have time to put it on. I only had it on that day to dial in the Eotech. Makes it much easier.

Yeah.  They were calling a lot of their parts proprietary on the old website.  Not sure exactly what that means, but im pretty sure a lot of them werent made by them.  That included the BCG and bolt as well as the PWS brake and their barrels. (they never would tell me the other brand besides Noveske they were using at the time)

That would be a good question to ask them if you get the chance.

Not really sure what difference it makes...to me not much at this point. It may also be that they source bolts and carrier groups then give them the ceramic coating. In that case it would be semantics...you still can't get that combination anywhere else, so in a sense it's proprietary. Honestly that might be the smart thing to do; Get somebody else to make quality small parts for you to keep costs and effort down, but still get what you need for the build.

Their choice of model name/number could add confusion to the true caliber...

About 3-4 months ago. I'm not upset over it, my curiousity was definitely piqued after my discussion with the company, though.

I had the same thought. In case anyone was wondering, it's 5.56.

Who made that mag release?

It came that way...I didn't even notice it. Is is special other than the coating?

thats a rly nice rifle, i love the color my only complaint is the arms rail system, its not bad imo its just i feel vltor did it better with their casv-m

edit: ignore my stupidity you clearly dont have a delta ring lol, still one heck of a rifle, that would look awsome with a NiB BCG

It would defeat the purpose; the BCG is also ceramic coated. As is the bolt and firing pin. Which is REALLY weird, since it's gray and gets strange concentric rings around it from being fired.

Thanks for the clear and concise explanation...good to know where parts come from and glad thats important to you as well.  I always had good dealing with Nathan when you were located in Toldeo and looks like you all are up to some very good things.

I've got a pistol from when NGA was doing custom work on pistols.  It's a Springfield Mil-Spec that did their coatings on .

I don't know if I really believe all the claims about not needing lubrication, but I will say that the finish is very nice and it cleans up very easily.  I've also not experienced any malfunctions.

A fitting tribute to one of the US Army's most renowned special operators.

I think NGA would do very well to consider offering their ceramic-coated uppers and BCGs separately.  This is not an inexpensive rifle by any stretch.

Could be.  That pistol has been traded back and forth on Northwest Firearms for awhile, and looking back, the person who has claimed to be the head gunsmith at NGA has stated that he did the work on the pistol.  Current location for him is Idaho.  His handle on NWFA is "Taurus 617 CCW".  

Actually looks like it was his personal gun that he sold at some point.  



Agreed.  I'm too broke to waste ammo doing tests, so I am running Slip 2000 EWL in it, ceramic coatings or not.  However, the finish is beautiful, and it does clean up beautifully.

If your focus is only on custom-built complete rifles, that's fine (and understandable) but I strongly suspect there are potential buyers out there for things like NGA ceramic-coated bolt carrier groups, triggers, etc for existing ARs.....not NGA lower receivers.  As for marketing cost and effort, word on products like that will spread among folks "in the know" without a dime spent on advertising.  

Thanks for getting back to us. And you know, it IS kind of nice to hear that the issues found in my return/repair job will improve the design.

Pretty much what I figured, especially #2.

And I agree, the SIR system is heavy and the riser is inconvenient, but if it's part of what makes it shoot so well, I might be inclined to leave it alone. That said...I'm eager to see the X7 forend. Do I feel a retrofit coming on?

Best of luck to NGA in that effort!  

My handle on the Northwest firearms forum in Taurus 617 CCW.  That 1911 pictured was my personal firearm and I personally coated it in our old shop in Toledo.  It was a personal project that I did.  I traded it to another forum member because I wanted a Kel Tec or Ruger LCP size gun.  It was a very nice 1911 but I still ran it with oil.  You can't be too cautious when your life is relying on the proper function of a single handgun.

Great to know it's history.    You did a wonderful job with it.