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New Fightlite MCR upper $4000 (Raptor) (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 11/22/2024 1:35:24 AM EDT
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Appears to be very similar to the MCR, only costs less. Maybe this is in response to that one guy making the MCR clone? Price valid until 12/31/2024. |
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Originally Posted By HKPDW: Appears to be very similar to the MCR, only costs less. Maybe this is in response to that one guy making the MCR clone? Price valid until 12/31/2024. Not sure if you are talking about me or the Cryostructure guy, but I sorta doubt either of us are on Fightlites radar at this point. Mine is still going to be way less expensive than the new Raptor upper. |
| I know there are a few posts on the Cryo thread but I didnt want to keep muddying the waters over there. Anyone with more experience with the Fightlite Uppers care to share their opinion on comparing the two. I've looked at the chart but Im not real familiar with the workings of the belt fed uppers. Are there features missing on the Raptor that would be a "deal breaker" from going with it and its lower intro price? |
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Originally Posted By Type7SOT: Not sure if you are talking about me or the Cryostructure guy, but I sorta doubt either of us are on Fightlites radar at this point. Mine is still going to be way less expensive than the new Raptor upper. Let's go Type7SOT. Get er done. |
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Originally Posted By Stonia: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/203509/1000013658_jpg-3386181.JPG I had two of the original ares shrikes. Aluminum wear parts. Tray and upper. Cool concept though. The tray sucked and the upper slot had lots of wear from the cover feed bearing. I know they went with a modified 249 tray but if the upper slot is still aluminum, not great. |
| I have the MCR upper and love it. Looks like this cheaper version just leaves out a lot of extras and replaces a few parts that are less complicated and probably cheaper to make. Personal finances would dictate if it’s worth it for someone to save the 2-2.5k$. I agree the prices have gone up to ridiculous levels for them though. |
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Originally Posted By PAESAN: That is one of the ugliest rails that has ever been in production on any weapon system in history. For $4k, can it be swapped? I’m not a buyer either way, but I share this sentiment. |
I wouldn't stand in front of a piss-filled supersoaker. Does that make it a good pistol? - Caboose314
I thought I was covered for 22 cans, but the NFAids is a bitch when it mutates - themagikbullet
I thought I was covered for 22 cans, but the NFAids is a bitch when it mutates - themagikbullet
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Originally Posted By Elcunning: I like the older MCR rail. The current run looks like ass Which major manufacturer has a flagship rail that’s circular? It’s not the current industry trend… |
I wouldn't stand in front of a piss-filled supersoaker. Does that make it a good pistol? - Caboose314
I thought I was covered for 22 cans, but the NFAids is a bitch when it mutates - themagikbullet
I thought I was covered for 22 cans, but the NFAids is a bitch when it mutates - themagikbullet
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Originally Posted By BeaterHonda: Which major manufacturer has a flagship rail that’s circular? It’s not the current industry trend… My guess is either it is an older rail design that they had spares laying around and is a “sunk cost” or it is significantly cheaper to make than their custom extrusion Picatinny and Mlok forends and associated mounting bracket. That round profile is likely a stock tubing size which would make it very cost effective. The Raptor is their “budget” upper and I am Sure in some fashion that round forend is part of the cost savings to lower the price point. if you want the fancier forend the MCR is available with it. Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Been a while since I looked at their patents and issue dates, but If I remember correctly, some of the early patents on the Shrike/MCR upper are expiring or have expired, so I am betting that the Raptor is an attempt to keep the Fightlite products price competitive in the marketplace as clones and other similar systems inevitably start to show up. I would also imagine the current economy and inflation has put pressure on Fightlite to make a product that is more affordable when wallets have been tight. Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By ARguy: Raptor PRON...... https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/3827/Raptor_jpg-3436114.JPG How long did it take to get yours? Did they send you tracking or did it just show up? Mine was ordered December 31st and was quoted at 10-14 days… but with shot in a few days if it’s not in transit I doubt I’ll get it before feb. Also I have the same exact nutsacks. |
| I ordered mine through Ranier Arms when they were having a Black Friday sale. If memory serves, it was just drop shipped from Fightlite and took 3.5 weeks. With holiday shipping SNAFUs, that's about what I was expecting. Not to derail a thread and talk about another man's nutsacks, but mine currently don't lock into the CryoStructure lower it sits on. The metal tab on the Tribe Tactical one is slightly different than a military SAW belt box. This is not a poke at Cryo in any way and they are aware of the inconsistencies. A few minutes with an endmill to re cut the pocket underneath the lower that the tab sits in should fix it. |
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Originally Posted By ARguy: I ordered mine through Ranier Arms when they were having a Black Friday sale. If memory serves, it was just drop shipped from Fightlite and took 3.5 weeks. With holiday shipping SNAFUs, that's about what I was expecting. Not to derail a thread and talk about another man's nutsacks, but mine currently don't lock into the CryoStructure lower it sits on. The metal tab on the Tribe Tactical one is slightly different than a military SAW belt box. This is not a poke at Cryo in any way and they are aware of the inconsistencies. A few minutes with an endmill to re cut the pocket underneath the lower that the tab sits in should fix it. Good to know since I’m ordering a cryo dual feed lower. The tribal spring steel is a little crude so I’d assume it’s actually tribal’s geometry over cryos in this case at least. You should check out the raptor nutsack speed reload pouches if you run any saw stuff on your kit. |
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Originally Posted By ARguy: I ordered mine through Ranier Arms when they were having a Black Friday sale. If memory serves, it was just drop shipped from Fightlite and took 3.5 weeks. With holiday shipping SNAFUs, that's about what I was expecting. Not to derail a thread and talk about another man's nutsacks, but mine currently don't lock into the CryoStructure lower it sits on. The metal tab on the Tribe Tactical one is slightly different than a military SAW belt box. This is not a poke at Cryo in any way and they are aware of the inconsistencies. A few minutes with an endmill to re cut the pocket underneath the lower that the tab sits in should fix it. I’ve been going back and forth with tribe on this. They sent me a few extra tabs and I modified them to fit the lowers, last I heard they are working with the tab manufacturer to make the new tab, when that’s released I’m sure they’ll send out replacements tabs for anyone using a cryo lower. Attached File |
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I talked to Fightlite at Shot Show, and they said that a lot of people had been asking if they could offer a more economical version of the MCR, so that is how the Raptor came about. The guy at the booth walked me through it and said they deleted features that were not wholly necessary, or were more expensive (iron sights, adjustable gas system, spring loaded feed stud) but still left it as a capable upper. Basically they made it more of a fun range/consumer product and less of a military geared product. Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By redman797: The not having a spring loaded feed tray stud is annoying. I honestly really hate the new raptor doesn’t close unless you pull the charging handle back at least halfway Cant you just move the feed lever into the closed bolt position before you close the top cover? |
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Originally Posted By redman797: The not having a spring loaded feed tray stud is annoying. I honestly really hate the new raptor doesn’t close unless you pull the charging handle back at least halfway The feature was deleted to remove cost so the Raptor is more affordable, but there is no reason you couldn't buy a standard MCR bolt carrier body with the spring loaded feed stud to get that feature back into a Ratpor upper. I haven't seen a Raptor bolt carrier up close, but I am wondering if you can just drop a spring loaded MCR feed stud into it (the feed stud itself for the MCR is about $250, so if you can do that you are still about $1250 ahead of an MCR with the Raptor and able to drop the top cover on a closed bolt). @ARguy Can you snap a pic of the top of the bolt carrier so we can see the feed stud on the Raptor? Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By Type7SOT: Cant you just move the feed lever into the closed bolt position before you close the top cover? Originally Posted By Type7SOT: Originally Posted By redman797: The not having a spring loaded feed tray stud is annoying. I honestly really hate the new raptor doesn’t close unless you pull the charging handle back at least halfway Cant you just move the feed lever into the closed bolt position before you close the top cover? I can't recall if the feed cam path on the MCR/Raptor is spring loaded to bias it to the right, but if not then yes you can do that. I had an M60 top cover where the spring went bad during event, and just manually would move the feed lever to the side and could drop the top cover on a closed bolt. The only reason it would be a bit of a pain on the Raptor is (assuming the feed cam path is spring loaded) that unlike an M60, MCR/Raptors are closed bolt guns, so you can't just pull the bolt handle and have it lock open, you need to pull the bolt handle and manual operate the bolt hold open, then drop the top cover. But if that drops $1500 off the price of the upper, that isn't really a huge deal. Put a PDQ bolt catch in the lower, use your firing index finger to press up on it, pull charging handle with left hand, bolt is locked open, put ammo in feed tray, drop cover, drop bolt, and off you go... Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Attached File Attached File I am new to the belt fed game. This Raptor is my first so Im not real familiar with em but hopefully these help. I can take more so just let me know. My plan is to pick up a PDQ and make it work with the Cryostructure lower I am using. Its already cut on the right side for it. |
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@ARguy Great pics, thank you! The feed stud is the round part on top of the bolt carrier behind the feed tray. If you pull the whole bolt carrier out of the group and take a picture at that same angle, it will tell a lot more about the Raptor feed stud, but it looks like the MCR feed stud is a direct drop in replacement, which would be great news! You can see the feed cam has the spring on the right side that biases it to the left. As with an M60, that is just to get it in the initial position to interact with the feed stud properly when the bolt is back. If the spring was not on there, you could in theory just press the feed cam to the right and it should line up fine with a closed bolt, and then with the feed cover down the stud is going to move that cam track just fine without the spring. In some was on a closed bolt gun it almost makes more sense for the feed cam to be biased the opposite direction of what the spring is doing. I am sure with how the feed pawls operate that might not be ideal, but something worth testing for fun at some point. I guess the simple truth is with the bolt closed, you can't start a belt in the gun, regardless of the top cover being up or down, so that is why it is set up for everything to engage with the bolt locked back (open) Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: @ARguy Great pics, thank you! The feed stud is the round part on top of the bolt carrier behind the feed tray. If you pull the whole bolt carrier out of the group and take a picture at that same angle, it will tell a lot more about the Raptor feed stud, but it looks like the MCR feed stud is a direct drop in replacement, which would be great news! You can see the feed cam has the spring on the right side that biases it to the left. As with an M60, that is just to get it in the initial position to interact with the feed stud properly when the bolt is back. If the spring was not on there, you could in theory just press the feed cam to the right and it should line up fine with a closed bolt, and then with the feed cover down the stud is going to move that cam track just fine without the spring. In some was on a closed bolt gun it almost makes more sense for the feed cam to be biased the opposite direction of what the spring is doing. I am sure with how the feed pawls operate that might not be ideal, but something worth testing for fun at some point. I guess the simple truth is with the bolt closed, you can't start a belt in the gun, regardless of the top cover being up or down, so that is why it is set up for everything to engage with the bolt locked back (open) Sven Manticore Arms Very helpful information. Question, some people have used KS47 lowers on MCR uppers, with homemade nutsack adapters for a low profile setup. But the KS47 doesnt have a bolt catch. How do you think these people are loading it? |
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Here are a couple more including one with the feed roller pinned back into the carrier but outside of the upper. Attached File Attached File |
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I’ll have to give pushing it to the right, but off the bat, it’s annoying. Also I couldn’t get Fightlite to confirm it’s just that $250.00 part and not something else. So for now it’s an unknown cost and not yet available unless that’s the only part you need. On another note I’ve been really tempted to put a KAC chrome 3.2 bolt in mine to see if it’ll run Edit: so I tried pushing to the right and forgot it’s spring loaded. There’s no way to prevent closing feedtray without a locked back BCG or pulling back half way and pushing down. |
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Originally Posted By ARguy: Here are a couple more including one with the feed roller pinned back into the carrier but outside of the upper. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/3827/Raptorbolt1_jpg-3451483.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/3827/Raptorbolt2_jpg-3451484.JPG Seeing that pic, I am 99% sure that it is the same bolt carrier and you can just swap out the solid feed stud for the spring loaded one. Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By redman797: I’ll have to give pushing it to the right, but off the bat, it’s annoying. Also I couldn’t get Fightlite to confirm it’s just that $250.00 part and not something else. So for now it’s an unknown cost and not yet available unless that’s the only part you need. On another note I’ve been really tempted to put a KAC chrome 3.2 bolt in mine to see if it’ll run Edit: so I tried pushing to the right and forgot it’s spring loaded. There’s no way to prevent closing feedtray without a locked back BCG or pulling back half way and pushing down. @redman797 You asked them "Can the Raptor solid feed stud be replaced with the MCR spring loaded feed stud to get the function of being able to load on a closed top cover and closed bolt" and they wouldn't give you an answer? Yeah, the spring is going to bias the feed cam to the right- you could remove that spring, or just pull the bolt back and lock it back- same thing that you have to do with an MG42, M60, etc to drop the top cover. Just part of prepping and running a belt fed firearm. I have a contact card from one of the guys there from SHOT, let me see if I can dig it up and reach out and ask to get clarification. If it is a simple $250 part swap, that is something they should know (and make clear) but my impression is Fightlite has never been very good at explaining how their products actually work. They should have dozens of videos going through the features, function, etc. of a BELT FED AR-15 UPPER but they, well...kinda suck at the marketing end IMHO ![]() Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: @redman797 You asked them "Can the Raptor solid feed stud be replaced with the MCR spring loaded feed stud to get the function of being able to load on a closed top cover and closed bolt" and they wouldn't give you an answer? Yeah, the spring is going to bias the feed cam to the right- you could remove that spring, or just pull the bolt back and lock it back- same thing that you have to do with an MG42, M60, etc to drop the top cover. Just part of prepping and running a belt fed firearm. I have a contact card from one of the guys there from SHOT, let me see if I can dig it up and reach out and ask to get clarification. If it is a simple $250 part swap, that is something they should know (and make clear) but my impression is Fightlite has never been very good at explaining how their products actually work. They should have dozens of videos going through the features, function, etc. of a BELT FED AR-15 UPPER but they, well...kinda suck at the marketing end IMHO ![]() Sven Manticore Arms Correct, I asked and they wouldn’t reply. I even emailed asking to purchase the part that allows me to do it, I just need part number.. they have like a 10% reply rate to emails or answering the phone. |
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Apologies in advance for the thread derail I'm about to do, but since this is the relevant audience... Does anyone know of a bipod on the market with ALL the following characteristics: 1. Pan (left/right target tracking) 2. Tilt (roll side to side for uneven terrain) 3. Pic rail attachment (QD would be ideal, but not absolutely needed) 4. Quick deploy - pinch legs together and flip down in one motion like a regular M249, not manipulating each leg/button individually #4 combined with #2 seems to be the kicker - they don't seem to coesist together. I have been hunting for years for a bipod that checks these boxes to go on my MCR. For a light machine gun in a SAW/automatic rifle role, you need to be able to flip the bipod down quick while dropping into prone. Slow, fiddly button pushes to manipulate each leg independently doesn't cut it. I speak from some experience. The bipods on the market seem all geared toward precision long range or hunting. The qualities of a good precision rifle bipod does not a good LMG bipod make. Closest solution I have found is a Versapod, but the Pic Rail version lacks tilt which is a pain. Maybe someone who seems unafraid to produce parts for niche markets, :cough: Sven @Manticore_Arms :cough: might look into such a design. Between the original MCR, this new Raptor, the Cryostructure BFAR, and the progress in the Lima Six thread it seems there's more than a handful of folks that might need one. Now back to the regularly scheduled Raptor discussion, excepting any replies! |
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Originally Posted By TyrannyOfTheMinority: Apologies in advance for the thread derail I'm about to do, but since this is the relevant audience... Does anyone know of a bipod on the market with ALL the following characteristics: 1. Pan (left/right target tracking) 2. Tilt (roll side to side for uneven terrain) 3. Pic rail attachment (QD would be ideal, but not absolutely needed) 4. Quick deploy - pinch legs together and flip down in one motion like a regular M249, not manipulating each leg/button individually #4 combined with #2 seems to be the kicker - they don't seem to coesist together. I have been hunting for years for a bipod that checks these boxes to go on my MCR. For a light machine gun in a SAW/automatic rifle role, you need to be able to flip the bipod down quick while dropping into prone. Slow, fiddly button pushes to manipulate each leg independently doesn't cut it. I speak from some experience. The bipods on the market seem all geared toward precision long range or hunting. The qualities of a good precision rifle bipod does not a good LMG bipod make. Closest solution I have found is a Versapod, but the Pic Rail version lacks tilt which is a pain. Maybe someone who seems unafraid to produce parts for niche markets, :cough: Sven @Manticore_Arms :cough: might look into such a design. Between the original MCR, this new Raptor, the Cryostructure BFAR, and the progress in the Lima Six thread it seems there's more than a handful of folks that might need one. Now back to the regularly scheduled Raptor discussion, excepting any replies! I second this bipod motion! Def would be nice to have more movement. |
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I doubt you’re gonna find another pinch type bipod, but why not just get the M249 bipod and get the barrel adapter and attach it to the barrel, or if you wanna swap barrels etc, do the same, but pay a welder to weld a larue or mount of your choice to the saw bipod? That’s IF all those requirements are what you need. If not, my Harris and Magpul work great on the fightlite. Also if you go with a pinch type and have nothing to lock it into like the saw has the hand guards, it’s just gonna be locked forward catching on crap and swinging around. |
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Originally Posted By H1-HUMMER: Tango Bipod, the legs come up nicely between a FW grip and rest on the rail. Thats what I decided to go with, the Tango Down ACB-4. It's a shame that TD discontinued the bipod and has no plans to do another run. I'm not sure how available they are on the used market. I just happened to have this one on hand. Mine is mounted with an aluminum Magpul Cantilever Rail/Light Mount on the bottom M lok slots. Its pushes it out towards the muzzle a little bit and gives me room for a stubby grip. See my "Raptor Pron" photo above. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By ARguy: Thats what I decided to go with, the Tango Down ACB-4. It's a shame that TD discontinued the bipod and has no plans to do another run. I'm not sure how available they are on the used market. I just happened to have this one on hand. Mine is mounted with an aluminum Magpul Cantilever Rail/Light Mount on the bottom M lok slots. Its pushes it out towards the muzzle a little bit and gives me room for a stubby grip. See my "Raptor Pron" photo above. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/3827/bipod_jpg-3455902.JPG
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Originally Posted By redman797: I doubt you’re gonna find another pinch type bipod, but why not just get the M249 bipod and get the barrel adapter and attach it to the barrel You are correct, there are not very many other options out there. The pinch style is most correctly referred to a "Parker-Hale" type bipod as I understand it. And they exist, but are fairly uncommon on the market these days. At least among quality products. I have no intention of welding anything onto a barrel or my FightLite upper. But retrofitting a bipod and mount could be worth exploring with the right combination of parts I suppose... What barrel adapter are you referring to? The Tango Down definitely stows away nicely, but that's less of a concern for what I'm looking for. Good looking setups though! |
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A little Dremel, filing and polishing and I modified a PDQ to work with the Raptor. Ideally, the Guntology PDQ and the Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch would get together and have a love child. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By TyrannyOfTheMinority: You are correct, there are not very many other options out there. The pinch style is most correctly referred to a "Parker-Hale" type bipod as I understand it. And they exist, but are fairly uncommon on the market these days. At least among quality products. I have no intention of welding anything onto a barrel or my FightLite upper. But retrofitting a bipod and mount could be worth exploring with the right combination of parts I suppose... What barrel adapter are you referring to? The Tango Down definitely stows away nicely, but that's less of a concern for what I'm looking for. Good looking setups though! Actually just get a B&T polymer bipod. It’s exactly what you’re looking for and still in current production. The barrel mount I’ve seen a couple of people have so I’d have to look more into it. The adapter is a screw on clamp design from what I remember. Also I was mentioning to cut the ring off a M249 bipod and weld it to a mount if your choice to have an actual M249 bipod. No welding to barrel required. Regardless, buy the B&T. It’s what you’re wanting. Checks all your boxes I believe and currently being produced for under 200. |
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Ripped about 100rds tonight through the raptor. I forgot how fast these things are. Gotta try a heavier buffer and maybe a different suppressor cause damn it’s got a fast rate of fire. Like godamn fast. But don’t worry, it’s SUPER safe. Ate 55gr crap I had laying around like a champ. First 100 out of the raptor. Using a spikes tungsten 3 buffer and has a surefire SOCOM (would not recommend for this) probably gonna put the saker 762 back in it when it gets repaired. |
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Notice how the gas block on the cheaper version completely negates the ability to add the front sight later or EVER. Instead of just not including the front sight tower and using the same gasblock they went out of their way to make an entirely new gasblock, just so you couldn't buy the cheaper version and add the front sight later.
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Originally Posted By redman797: Ripped about 100rds tonight through the raptor. I forgot how fast these things are. Gotta try a heavier buffer and maybe a different suppressor cause damn it’s got a fast rate of fire. Like godamn fast. But don’t worry, it’s SUPER safe. Ate 55gr crap I had laying around like a champ. First 100 out of the raptor. Using a spikes tungsten 3 buffer and has a surefire SOCOM (would not recommend for this) probably gonna put the saker 762 back in it when it gets repaired. I’d really like to slow down the ROF on mine. I think I have an H3 in there now…. |
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Originally Posted By mnew007: I’d really like to slow down the ROF on mine. I think I have an H3 in there now…. ![]() Yeah they did go out of their way to remake a gas block which is kinda lame. I could care less about irons, the M249 I ran 15 years ago had a front sight was misaligned, we’d just walk it in if the optic failed or at start of engagements The only way to slow it down for real in my opinion is to get a new barrel with the adjustable gas block combined with a longer buffer tube and possibly hydraulic buffer. BUT I’m not even sure it’d slow down that much more to make the cost of a $1,300.00 barrel and another few hundred in parts worth it if you shoot suppressed. It’s pretty close to my MCR in ROF and both have the spikes tungsten H3 with FCD A5 tubes when both are suppressed with the saker 762 which I’ll admit isn’t great for back pressure. I just haven’t gotten a Hux yet. I’m going to experiment one day with a rifle length tube and the my shot hydraulic buffer I have, but even in an A5 it’s a tad to long and has issues occasionally. The ROF is good though with it when it works but I think the spring needs to be snipped to allow the buffer to compress further back and allow clearance for the BCG to strip a round or there just isn’t enough room period for the BCG to move back. But if I can figure it out I think this might be the easiest and cheapest way. I just have to find a ln A2 stock assembly I thought I had or buy a new one |
New Fightlite MCR upper $4000 (Raptor) (Page 1 of 2)
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