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Posted: 4/11/2026 3:44:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Findsman][Edited]
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One of the first items from their new Tennessee plant, the piston-driven Arad 5. Added the link to the Israeli version, looks like they redesigned the upper to get around the monolithic patent that LMT has been sitting on. Looks the same, just with the front part of the handguard being modular. I'm not a huge fan of the length (we can tell whose influence that was...) but I'm less bothered on an AR than other guns like the Carmel. The cool part is the MSRP is just $1500. That's punching Sig and HK right in the dick. Street price will be really aggressive and super attractive. I'll definitely be a buyer later this year! I'm seeing some hits on distributor sites that show a 11.5 SBR/pistol option for the same price too. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/iwi-us-launches-the-arad-5-rifle-now-made-in-tennessee-44827570 https://iwi.us/firearms/arad-5-series/ https://iwi.us/firearms/arad-5-series/arad-5/ https://iwi.net/arad/ Attached File |
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The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
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regarding LMT's patent.....(Goog AI) LMT Defense's key monolithic rail platform (MRP) and quick-change barrel system patents are set to expire in August 2026. While some discussion suggests earlier partial expiration, US patent US8234808B2, regarding the monolithic rail and barrel system, has an adjusted expiration date of August 16, 2026, opening the market for similar designs can't come soon enough IMO |
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Originally Posted By cnoteleo: I was impressed they went with tapered lugs on the bolt. Finally people are fixing the weak link in the system, but they definitely slipped going with a standard nitride barrel. Almost there KAC E3 patent expired in like 2022, I think? Tapered lugs should become the new standard. |
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Originally Posted By mcantu: Their imported guns get CHF chrome lined barrels but US made ones get nitrided? Why do manufacturers keep doing this? Lower cost. Their factories overseas are likely only tooled up for producing CHF chrome lined barrels for military rifles so that's all they make. In the US they are likely sourcing them from an OEM barrel manufacturer. |
| From a market dynamics standpoint, lower-cost ARs are what's selling right now. They may have done the math to determine they'd sell X guns with a CL/CHF barrel, and X * Y guns with a nitrided barrel at a lower cost. In a market when we have plenty of FNs and Sigs that are happy to sell their latest products for $3-4k, I'm not going to be upset that IWI is keeping their new products under $2000 or $1500 or whatever. I'm tired of my wallet being tenderly loved so some anti-gun executive asshole at one of those companies can buy another Porsche. Realistically, very few of us are ever going to wear out a nitrided barrel. Sure, I'd prefer CHF/CL too but I'd rather an Arad be available than holding out for a barrel but at a much higher cost. |
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The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
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Originally Posted By mak0: Lower cost. Their factories overseas are likely only tooled up for producing CHF chrome lined barrels for military rifles so that's all they make. In the US they are likely sourcing them from an OEM barrel manufacturer. I want to say they use Tactical Kinetics for their barrels |
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Originally Posted By voyager3: Are the barrels proprietary? Also, this vs Robinson XCR? The only reason beside price I see to go with the Arad is that one is really fixated on an AR. IWI's not been exactly stellar with parts and support. |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
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"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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Originally Posted By Alpha-17: The handguard is stupid long, but I'm interested in this, especially with that price point. Gotta satisfy all those guys who still think the Magpul C-clamp grip is cool.  Sven Manticore Arms |
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| Everything i've been reading says they are cold hammer forged. I don't mind melanite it is superior to chrome lining for semi auto shooting, better accuracy, better barrel life. But I don't use an FRT. I would like to know the specs on their BCG. |
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Originally Posted By Thefryzone: Everything i've been reading says they are cold hammer forged. I don't mind melanite it is superior to chrome lining for semi auto shooting, better accuracy, better barrel life. But I don't use an FRT. I would like to know the specs on their BCG. It’s not CHF nor is it superior. nitrided bbls wear out faster than CHF CL bbls especially when you are running a FRT. cold hard fact here is they used their budget Zion bbl & lower on these to save $100 on msrp. It’s certainly not a superior 416 as they claim, hell it’s not even equal to the real ARAD. |
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Originally Posted By cnoteleo: I was impressed they went with tapered lugs on the bolt. Finally people are fixing the weak link in the system, but they definitely slipped going with a standard nitride barrel. Almost there Out of tradition, I would want a chrome lined barrel too, however, the more I see and hear about nitride from those who work on nitrided parts, the more I'm impressed by it. |
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Originally Posted By FullAssault: I was ecstatic when I first heard but that took a shit real fast. Leave it to Grisham to take an amazing Israeli design and screw it up.  I'm forced to conclude that IWI is pursuing a "different" target audience. |
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Originally Posted By RD20: Out of tradition, I would want a chrome lined barrel too, however, the more I see and hear about nitride from those who work on nitrided parts, the more I'm impressed by it. Originally Posted By RD20: Originally Posted By cnoteleo: I was impressed they went with tapered lugs on the bolt. Finally people are fixing the weak link in the system, but they definitely slipped going with a standard nitride barrel. Almost there Out of tradition, I would want a chrome lined barrel too, however, the more I see and hear about nitride from those who work on nitrided parts, the more I'm impressed by it. Like any coating, nitride has its place. For most shooters, nitride is fine. For precision use- considering an underlying barrel of equal quality- it's better than chrome lining. For full-auto/FRT, chrome lined is the better choice. All-over corrosion resistance is another benefit of nitride. For the BCG- take your pick. Either is fine. |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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Originally Posted By Uys: I should have my Arad rifle in my little DB's tomorrow or Saturday. Picked it up today. I like that it came with BUIS (steel), QD to MLok and the wrench needed to take out the barrel. I don't think my X95 came with that, but I do forget a lot of things. 7.5 lbs with the B5 Sopmod-ish stock on it. It did fit on a MARS-L. I wouldn't mind a shorter handguard, only need a sling mount and flashlight. Forgot to weigh the buffer to see what it is. |
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Originally Posted By Uys: Picked it up today. I like that it came with BUIS (steel), QD to MLok and the wrench needed to take out the barrel. I don't think my X95 came with that, but I do forget a lot of things. 7.5 lbs with the B5 Sopmod-ish stock on it. It did fit on a MARS-L. I wouldn't mind a shorter handguard, only need a sling mount and flashlight. Forgot to weigh the buffer to see what it is. How do you like it? Decent accuracy? Any hiccups? |
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Originally Posted By Headspacer: How do you like it? Decent accuracy? Any hiccups? Put a Meprolight M22 on it and used the irons that came with it. Have only sighted it in at 25 yards. I didn't put my suppressor on it either. Waiting to go to the outdoor range and shoot it at 100/200, maybe this next week. Reliability was 100%, but only shot about 80 rds - Magtech and Igman 55gr. Got it sighted in with a few rounds and some friends shot the rest. Lot of oil everywhere when I got it. Took it apart, took the barrel out, and wiped it all down. IWI video on YT for taking the upper apart. |
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Originally Posted By Headspacer: How do you like it? Decent accuracy? Any hiccups? Hit the 100yd range this morning. 60 rds of Igman and PMC 55's were 2-2.5 with the Meprolight at 100. It has the EO Tech style reticle so a 6 inch black bull helped the red ball stay centered. Skinny front sight on the IWI irons gave me 3 inches. 20 rds of Wolf steel was 4 inches with the M22. I was going to bring a 1-6x, but forgot that along with some other stuff. No function issues at all. My gripe is that the long handguard turns the gas adjustment plug installation and removal into something a sadistic occupational therapist would make someone do. I feel like I would prefer the short handguard I have seen on the interwebs. |
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Originally Posted By Uys: Hit the 100yd range this morning. 60 rds of Igman and PMC 55's were 2-2.5 with the Meprolight at 100. It has the EO Tech style reticle so a 6 inch black bull helped the red ball stay centered. Skinny front sight on the IWI irons gave me 3 inches. 20 rds of Wolf steel was 4 inches with the M22. I was going to bring a 1-6x, but forgot that along with some other stuff. No function issues at all. My gripe is that the long handguard turns the gas adjustment plug installation and removal into something a sadistic occupational therapist would make someone do. I feel like I would prefer the short handguard I have seen on the interwebs. Thanks for the update. |
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I'd be ok with buying the pistol Arad, probably a better deal than getting the complete upper from IWI (whenever they are available). I've had no issues with my 16 inch so far. I'm guessing 800ish through it now. I hit the IWI USA site every once in a while to check the store for Arad parts/accessories. Galil ACE parts have come in recently too. |
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I'd be tempted to pick up a pistol/sbr version if they became available before Nov 1st. https://iwi.us/promotions/ free can |
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