Originally Posted By TheTacticalCoyote:
Because the contract said it had to have it?

Originally Posted By Video:
Good luck, the KS1 is likely going to be an extremely rare piece. Really only designed for  full auto of an entire load out to not have thermal shift on the last magazine.

I would like to see a burn down by GoldenWebb. The original mod2 burn down was a let down but in the video the cyclical rate was extremely high and his reloads were John wick fast and the ejection was on point until the last shot.

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:
It’s the only 556 rifle with that heavy dimpled profile.

The 11.5, 14.5 and 16 all have the “light” profile. Why the one-off on the 13.7 KS-1? It’s heavier than the 16 KS-4.

I must know.

Originally Posted By Video:
If the HICAR contract comes out good the uk will dump the KS1 for that. I suppose they didn’t get wind of that in time.

Originally Posted By Jack_L:


The original submission for the KS-1 program had the traditional pencil barrel for weight savings.
One important criteria for the program was minimal POI shift through a long string of fire.
The thin barrel met the requirement, but we were asked if we could make it even better.
Adding thermal mass is the most direct way to reduce the effect of the heating, and the dimples reduce weight while maintaining structure under heat.
We had adequate room to increase weight to meet their request, and that is why the KS-1 has a thick profile dimpled barrel.

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:
I think I need a KS-1 for this NX6 1-6 I just bought and get a TA11 for my KS-3.

I think that NX6 is gon’ be YUGE on an 11.5.

Originally Posted By hobo:  
Held side by side the Ks3 is almost as long as the ks1.  
I sold the ks3 uppers because of this .  The ks3 feels slightly lighter and swings easier but shorter gas length and it is not as special as the KS1 and not that much handier.

The KS4 is just too long for me.
KS2 swings nice.

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:

@hobo I find this confusing. The KS1 is like 3/4lb heavier than the KS3 - that’s a significant amount of weight. The 16” and 14.5” both weigh less - significantly less.
How can the KS-3 only feel “slightly lighter”?

There’s not much talk about the KS2 (14.5) - part of me wonders if that’s the better civilian rifle option over the KS-1, since there’s no non-tank version of the KS-1.

And holy cow there are some pretty bad reports on the KS-1’s accuracy - expect anywhere from 3-4 MOA using regular target ammo and 1-2 using expensive, heavier grain match type ammo.

I was dead-set on the KS-1 but I’m wondering if a KS-2 wouldn’t be better for me. It should shoot just as smooth or smoother than the KS-1, right?
Any accuracy reports on the KS-2s? Not a lot out there on them.

Originally Posted By Video:
KS1 might feel heavy but the British Commando Sig MCX is still heavier than the KS1

(According to Royal Armories)

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:
Cool vid tearing down the KS-1 I’m sure you’ve all seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdzCTaJljTk

Again, sure wish there was a regular barreled version!

Originally Posted By hobo:


Um Brahmzy, that is an Airsoft gun.  Gotta look before you post Mr. 8000+ posts.

Originally Posted By hobo:

That is what surprised me.  I guess because the way it carries the weight figuring the barrel is only 2" longer.  I should have said "near as handy" rather than lighter.  
The ks2 feels light. for sure.    
I'm hard pressed to believe accuracy reports just yet since we've only seen a few examples but perhaps it is just wishful thinking on may part since I already own the gun :).

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:
There’s not much talk about the KS2 (14.5) - part of me wonders if that’s the better civilian rifle option over the KS-1, since there’s no non-tank version of the KS-1.

And holy cow there are some pretty bad reports on the KS-1’s accuracy - expect anywhere from 3-4 MOA using regular target ammo and 1-2 using expensive, heavier grain match type ammo.

I was dead-set on the KS-1 but I’m wondering if a KS-2 wouldn’t be better for me. It should shoot just as smooth or smoother than the KS-1, right?
Any accuracy reports on the KS-2s? Not a lot out there on them.

Originally Posted By Jack_L:


I am personally a big fan of the KS-2, but I am very familiar with carrying and using 14.5" 5.56 carbines with standard sized suppressors.
The forward weight of the KS-1 does have some positives, but I just do not really shoot my guns to that point of heat impact on performance, and losing 0.8" in overall length is just not that noticeable to me in regard to handling and movement.

All of our 5.56 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome lined, optimized for programs that prioritize durability and robustness over pure dispersion numbers. They are not marketed or promised to be "precision" rifles, they are produced to meet the requirements of users with specific ammuniton types. It's a standard NATO chamber, with standard 1 in 7 twist hammer forged rifling, that's covered in chrome. None of that is what I would do if I was asked to make the most precise 5.56 rifle possible.

That said, I have shot a lot of these rifles with a lot of different ammunition. Generally speaking, here's what I see as averages of 10-round groups:
77gr Mk 262 Mod 1: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds.
69gr SMK Federal: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds
73gr Berger: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds
70gr TSX: 1.5"-2.5" at 100 yds
62gr LC M855*: 2.0"-3.0" at 100 yds
55gr M193 type*: 2.0"-3.0" at 100 yds
55gr PMC: 2.0"-3.0"
*NOTE: with no true contract M855 or M193 contract production ammunition, these are highly variable in performance.

Barrels are individuals, and will show a preference for certain projectiles at certain velocities in certain cartridge configurations. Some barrels will do better than these averages, and some will do worse. I have had very few that do not meet performance requirements (less than a handful of returns over the duration of production), but as these are not precision rifles they are not 100% test shot for dispersion with match ammo, so they do have an inherent unknown when it comes to expectations of dispersion. From our side, if the rifle will not maintain a 2" or better group size average with known good match .223/5.56 we would want to bring that home for a check. Things can happen to the rifle bore not truly related to barrel manufacturing that can effect dispersion. Chrome lines barrels also take longer to break-in than non-chrome barrels, so a few hundred rounds may need to go through the bore before it really settles down. Again, if I was making a rifle that had a dispersion requirement of less than our average, I'd be doing something different.

Realistic expectations of performance are the foundation of satisfaction. While the KS-series are great ARs, they aren't magic. They will work for a long time, but parts will eventually wear out. They still need to be cleaned. They still need to be given consistent precision ammunition to shoot to their full potential. They aren't "sub-MOA" precision rifles. They are general purpose combat rifles that will work in every place that humans can go, and will do it without critical parts failure for longer than most.

I have used KS series rifles (mostly with BH 77gr Mk262) in gas-gun competitions and have won or been in the top 10% in the vast majority of matches, to include a win at a "DMR" match using an 11.5" gun (max distance was around 400 yards for that one).

I would say that the KS-2 shoots very similarly to the KS-1 with regard to recoil and reticle movement on target.

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:

So what kind of accuracy ARE you getting from your KS-1?

Originally Posted By Jack_L:


I am personally a big fan of the KS-2, but I am very familiar with carrying and using 14.5" 5.56 carbines with standard sized suppressors.
The forward weight of the KS-1 does have some positives, but I just do not really shoot my guns to that point of heat impact on performance, and losing 0.8" in overall length is just not that noticeable to me in regard to handling and movement.

All of our 5.56 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome lined, optimized for programs that prioritize durability and robustness over pure dispersion numbers. They are not marketed or promised to be "precision" rifles, they are produced to meet the requirements of users with specific ammuniton types. It's a standard NATO chamber, with standard 1 in 7 twist hammer forged rifling, that's covered in chrome. None of that is what I would do if I was asked to make the most precise 5.56 rifle possible.

That said, I have shot a lot of these rifles with a lot of different ammunition. Generally speaking, here's what I see as averages of 10-round groups:
77gr Mk 262 Mod 1: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds.
69gr SMK Federal: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds
73gr Berger: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds
70gr TSX: 1.5"-2.5" at 100 yds
62gr LC M855*: 2.0"-3.0" at 100 yds
55gr M193 type*: 2.0"-3.0" at 100 yds
55gr PMC: 2.0"-3.0"
*NOTE: with no true contract M855 or M193 contract production ammunition, these are highly variable in performance.

Barrels are individuals, and will show a preference for certain projectiles at certain velocities in certain cartridge configurations. Some barrels will do better than these averages, and some will do worse. I have had very few that do not meet performance requirements (less than a handful of returns over the duration of production), but as these are not precision rifles they are not 100% test shot for dispersion with match ammo, so they do have an inherent unknown when it comes to expectations of dispersion. From our side, if the rifle will not maintain a 2" or better group size average with known good match .223/5.56 we would want to bring that home for a check. Things can happen to the rifle bore not truly related to barrel manufacturing that can effect dispersion. Chrome lines barrels also take longer to break-in than non-chrome barrels, so a few hundred rounds may need to go through the bore before it really settles down. Again, if I was making a rifle that had a dispersion requirement of less than our average, I'd be doing something different.

Realistic expectations of performance are the foundation of satisfaction. While the KS-series are great ARs, they aren't magic. They will work for a long time, but parts will eventually wear out. They still need to be cleaned. They still need to be given consistent precision ammunition to shoot to their full potential. They aren't "sub-MOA" precision rifles. They are general purpose combat rifles that will work in every place that humans can go, and will do it without critical parts failure for longer than most.

I have used KS series rifles (mostly with BH 77gr Mk262) in gas-gun competitions and have won or been in the top 10% in the vast majority of matches, to include a win at a "DMR" match using an 11.5" gun (max distance was around 400 yards for that one).

I would say that the KS-2 shoots very similarly to the KS-1 with regard to recoil and reticle movement on target.

Originally Posted By Brahmzy:
I think I need a KS-1 for this NX6 1-6 I just bought and get a TA11 for my KS-3.

I think that NX6 is gon’ be YUGE on an 11.5.

Originally Posted By Jack_L:


I am personally a big fan of the KS-2, but I am very familiar with carrying and using 14.5" 5.56 carbines with standard sized suppressors.
The forward weight of the KS-1 does have some positives, but I just do not really shoot my guns to that point of heat impact on performance, and losing 0.8" in overall length is just not that noticeable to me in regard to handling and movement.

All of our 5.56 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome lined, optimized for programs that prioritize durability and robustness over pure dispersion numbers. They are not marketed or promised to be "precision" rifles, they are produced to meet the requirements of users with specific ammuniton types. It's a standard NATO chamber, with standard 1 in 7 twist hammer forged rifling, that's covered in chrome. None of that is what I would do if I was asked to make the most precise 5.56 rifle possible.

That said, I have shot a lot of these rifles with a lot of different ammunition. Generally speaking, here's what I see as averages of 10-round groups:
77gr Mk 262 Mod 1: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds.
69gr SMK Federal: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds
73gr Berger: 1.0"-1.5" at 100 yds
70gr TSX: 1.5"-2.5" at 100 yds
62gr LC M855*: 2.0"-3.0" at 100 yds
55gr M193 type*: 2.0"-3.0" at 100 yds
55gr PMC: 2.0"-3.0"
*NOTE: with no true contract M855 or M193 contract production ammunition, these are highly variable in performance.

Barrels are individuals, and will show a preference for certain projectiles at certain velocities in certain cartridge configurations. Some barrels will do better than these averages, and some will do worse. I have had very few that do not meet performance requirements (less than a handful of returns over the duration of production), but as these are not precision rifles they are not 100% test shot for dispersion with match ammo, so they do have an inherent unknown when it comes to expectations of dispersion. From our side, if the rifle will not maintain a 2" or better group size average with known good match .223/5.56 we would want to bring that home for a check. Things can happen to the rifle bore not truly related to barrel manufacturing that can effect dispersion. Chrome lined barrels also take longer to break-in than non-chrome barrels, so a few hundred rounds may need to go through the bore before it really settles down. Again, if I was making a rifle that had a dispersion requirement of less than our average, I'd be doing something different.

Realistic expectations of performance are the foundation of satisfaction. While the KS-series are great ARs, they aren't magic. They will work for a long time, but parts will eventually wear out. They still need to be cleaned. They still need to be given consistent precision ammunition to shoot to their full potential. They aren't "sub-MOA" precision rifles. They are general purpose combat rifles that will work in every place that humans can go, and will do it without critical parts failure for longer than most.

I have used KS series rifles (mostly with BH 77gr Mk262) in gas-gun competitions and have won or been in the top 10% in the vast majority of matches, to include a win at a "DMR" match using an 11.5" gun (max distance was around 400 yards for that one).

I would say that the KS-2 shoots very similarly to the KS-1 with regard to recoil and reticle movement on target.

Originally Posted By JoshNC:


It won’t be bad. I have an nx8 1-8 on an 11.5 with 10” urx4 handguard  with a Raid Xe and pressure pads for it and a white light. It’s not too cluttered at all. It’s a great rifle. I’ve shot it out to 600 yds.

Originally Posted By JohnDough:


I have had the same setup for years. It actually does low-key suck (in my opinion) when you put a 10" or longer optic on there. The weight isn't even the thing, is the length of the scope. This, aside from lousy performance, is why I dumped my ATACR and went back to NX8's until the Vortex AMG dropped.

Couple that with the new XL pressure pads with Wilcox junction boxes, and it's a near no-go, if you want that in your life. I personally prefer the clicky/pad only remotes and just slave Viz override to my MFAL, as I view the 3rd Viz only button as superfluous, as I am not going to be using my Viz laser alone, by itself, for anything at night.