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Posted: 8/13/2006 3:55:48 PM EDT
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Anyone have any experience with MGIMilitary complete system...any range time? Just looking for anyone with real world use of their system any pros/cons? |
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There's only a relatively small number of the MGI Modular Lower Receivers that are actually out in the public hands, from the first production run. The second production run is due in before the end of the month. This production run of lowers will be billet construction, and are very nice. The MGI QCB(Quick Change Barrel) upper, which is the top half of the overall system, has been out for about 3 years now, so there are plenty of users out there with QCB's. We're getting ready to release an upgraded version soon, based on customer feedback. There are a few guys on ARFcom that have the lowers, and perhaps they'll chime in. Works great, and provides alot of flexibility that has never before been seen in an AR platform. Unique! I hope you get some response from some users. I'd be happy to give as unbiased comments as I can, but I'm sure you'd prefer some user comments. If you want any technical details or other questions, I can help you with that too. |
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Sorry, been busy with work or I would have jumped in here sooner.... Darkwolf, I have a QCB upper and (I guess I didn't know I was "special") modular lower, and I absolutely love them. I have run my upper with 5.56 and 458 SOCOM and it runs great. Still waiting for my 7.62x39 barrel and then I'll be up with that. With an 18" WOA barrel installed it is a sub moa shooter at the 200 yard line. It is my favorite AR. As far as real world goes, my gen 1 upper was demonstrated for our MIO folks (I retired from active duty about 2 weeks ago, and was hired back as a civilian employee into my old job..same desk, same Captain for my boss). All were EXTREMELY impressed. I know some of my trainers are interested in looking at the gen 2 upper when released, as it addresses one of the big reservations my folks had, namely the finish. The gen 1 uppers are powder coated, and if you've ever done boardings in a maritime environment, the powdercoat gets REALLY beat up fast (it chips when you bounce it against metal surfaces). The gen 2 uppers will be anodized, so this is a non-problem. Now, the typical user will NEVER see this problem, you probably aren't going to be bouncing your carbine off deck edges and hatches. We are users of the MK-18 carbine, and my folks are very interested in seeing how the gen 2 upper will stand up to the rough use and salt spray environment in our training ops. I have graciously offered my gen 2 receiver up for the testing when MGI releases it (I'm on the list for the new ones  ).Please feel free to ask me any specific questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. EDIT TO ADD: Forgot to say, MGI is an incredible company to do business with. I can't say enough good things about Tom, and Mack Sr. is one of the most gracious gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure to do business with. If you ever have a problem with your Carbine, these guys will do everything they can to make it right. |
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No, I'm not saying that- I'm not involved in small arm acquistions, nor in my official capacity can I be an advocate for a particular company (that is unethical). I can say that we have looked at my PERSONNALLY OWNED MGI strictly as a reference to what we would want in a boarding team weapon. I am not saying that my command is reviewing the weapon for official adoption, we don't do that. We are strictly trainers (technically we evaluate the trainers) but our folks and the spec war folks we work with are getting to see it and play with it. All have been impressed, and have offered some criticisms that I have passed back to Tom (mostly concerning the powder coat). Will my exposing them to my QCB/MOd lower give them some good ideas of where we should be going? Well, I hope so. I have plenty of trigger time with all weapons that the MIO teams use, including the MK-18. That weapon was definitely a step in the right direction for the new direction our boarding teams are going, but I don't think it is an ideal weapon. That's why I paid out of my pocket for the MGI product, to get some creative juices flowing at our end. I think MGI is on the right track for producing a truly revolutionary variant of the AR design that could be of use to us. As far as other units or agencies, I understand that MGI is getting alot of attention. Once they get their units in quantitiy production and out on the street I wouldn't be too surprised to start seeing their equipment on the 6 o'clock news reports from distant and sandy places. I think Tom would have a better idea of who is talking to them and what numbers they are discussing. DISCLAIMER: I'm not an employee of MGI or a shill for them. Just a big fan who thinks they are on the right track and don't mind spending my own money to give the "shooters" a chance to see this in an UNOFFICIAL capacity. |
| Yes there are, but the ones I have seen require tools and proprietary barrels AND/OR they are scaled up in size to handle 30-06 and bigger, meaning larger size and weight. The MGI is durable, same weight range as the issue AR, uses standard AR barrels, and needs no tools to change magwells or barrels. If any other company is doing something similar please tell me who so I can take a look. |
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I guess I'm one of the few with a modular lower - I can't speak for the "modular" capabilites, since I only own the 5.56 magwell adapter, but it functions as well as any standard AR lower. I'm waiting on the 7.62x39 and (hopefully soon) M-14 magwell adapters. These aren't deal breakers, just some observations - I was able to install an ambi-mag catch (Norgon), but the wall on the magwell adapter made it difficult to manipulate the "lever" on the weak-side. It was promplty replaced by the standard mag catch. I installed a Magpul enhanced trigger guard, but this came off as well. Since the trigger guard is secured by a set screw in the front (magwell side), this impacted the "modular" aspect of the lower. The trigger guard could probably be used with just the roll pin securing it (on grip side), but I decided against going this route. I've noticed more than a few members installing anti-rotational pins on their standard lowers, but these probably aren't compatible without modification (I haven't tried myself). However, the design of the removable magwell does capture the hammer pin, so as long as the magwell is attached, the hammer pin is secure. The modular lower is compatible with all "standard" AR parts, so the list above isn't meant as a criticism. I'm just trying to save you money he |
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Wayne, Thanks for providing your experiences with the MGI system. I'm glad you are finding it to be what you wanted, and I'm sure the boarding team guys are very interested in seeing the latest QCB upper. We'll get it to you as soon as we have it. Rogue007, Yes, we expected that our system would inspire other manufacturers to try to do similar things as our modular system does. It would have surprised me if they didn't. Even if our system wasn't the inspiration in some cases, our system helped to validate the modular concept for others who will follow. If they can do it better and cheaper than we can, without violating our patent rights, then more power to them. At least one of these "other companies" has already approached us with a request to license from us. I don't know if Mack is interested in licensing anyone else at this time, though. But I do believe that in time, licensing will be available to other companies. Majine, Thanks for your valuable input, which I'm sure will be of great help to prospective purchasers of the MGI Modular system, and its compatibility with aftermarket products. |
 DarkWolf, I have lots of time on these and have another discussion here about some recent testing that you might find helpful. ARFCOM MGI Thread I hope this helps! Jeff Z |
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