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I looked on and off for a year or so to grab a Hodge or Radian with no luck. Although I could've placed some ridiculous backorder in that time, decided I won't support companies that can't make their products available to buy. DD MK18/ KAC SR15.
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Quoted: I'd much rather have a wedgelock, regardless of it being a ZEV, SOLGW, Triarc or Hodge than any other skinny rail. The AL-Li Hodges are exorbitantly expensive but they're nicely balanced rifles at the shoulder. The interview literally says "...and money not being an issue." The price to performance gain ratio isn't skewed or misconstrued even by the man himself. View Quote I concur, I see now why there may have not been a hodge thread yet people just love to dislike things. Its a $2500 Ar-15 at this point there is nothing revolutionary about the AR-15 I would class it in the same group as I would the other 2k+ rifles and in my opinion at that point a lot just comes down to what you like. Sure the Sr-15 is a stand out in certain ways but even then its It wasn't anything that made me say my god this is "the" rifle matter of fact quite the opposite as I now no longer own one. Mine wasn't accurate by any stretch of the word Though when everyone talks about hodge guns They want to know why it doesnt shoot sub half moa and compare it to KAC which in my experience is certainly not an moa gun. Sample size of a couple there as I'm not the only one I know who owned or has owned one. |
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Quoted: I looked on and off for a year or so to grab a Hodge or Radian with no luck. Although I could've placed some ridiculous backorder in that time, decided I won't support companies that can't make their products available to buy. DD MK18/ KAC SR15. View Quote A couple of my buddies have Radians, I preferred the sr15 but I spent a lot of time with mine and only shot about a mag through one of the radians so maybe not fair. As far as hodge I dont think they will ever be more available unfortunately as he is small scale and from what I have read intends to keep it that way. He make some guns for some units and then does civ stuff in limited order. I love an Ris II but not a fan of there gas porting though I hear they may have some new barrels out? Not sure if thats correct or I made it up |
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Every Hodge thread guys come in with “I call bullshit” and “snake oil” comments, like we’re trying to convince them to buy Hodge parts/rifles. It’s actually the opposite, less competition would be welcome so I could actually pick up more parts.
Would be nice if we could keep this thread to guys sharing data and pics of their rifles. |
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Quoted: I looked on and off for a year or so to grab a Hodge or Radian with no luck. Although I could've placed some ridiculous backorder in that time, decided I won't support companies that can't make their products available to buy. DD MK18/ KAC SR15. View Quote The reason they aren’t available all the time. 1: Hodge doesn’t carry any overhead, he foots the bill for all the components. So if he can only afford x amount that’s what he buys. He’s not buying anything on credit. 2: he is very specific on when his components will be made, new tooling, heat treatments, ect...What this means is FN isn’t cranking out Hodge barrels round the clock, Azmuth Tech isn’t cranking out BCGs round the clock for him. 3: A lot of his components get rejected during QA/QC because they are held to such a high standard. He had a batch of BCGs with subpar staking. He replaced everyone that had been sold or had them checked and re-staked. For what it’s worth, my Hodge doesn’t do anything better than my other ARs but it is machined nicer and the fit is excellent. |
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Quoted: Every Hodge thread guys come in with “I call bullshit” and “snake oil” comments, like we’re trying to convince them to buy Hodge parts/rifles. It’s actually the opposite, less competition would be welcome so I could actually pick up more parts. Would be nice if we could keep this thread to guys sharing data and pics of their rifles. View Quote 100% I don't want to get this thread locked would really love to keep it just a tech thread like the others. I work part time for a firearms company (mainly le contracts) I don't speak about that here because this is a personal account nothing to do with that. We sell KAC, LMT, Noveske etc. we dont sell Hodge but I like them and own them and want to talk about them lol. |
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If you watch School of the American Rifleman he did two different' hodge barrels. Both were 12.5. Gas port sizes were dramatically different and the threads on one were not true. Who is doing the QC work on them if he has no overhead? does he doe it himself? of does he spec out barrels different when he orders more (talking about the port size).
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Quoted: If you watch School of the American Rifleman he did two different' hodge barrels. Both were 12.5. Gas port sizes were dramatically different and the threads on one were not true. Who is doing the QC work on them if he has no overhead? does he doe it himself? of does he spec out barrels different when he orders more (talking about the port size). View Quote I do remember seeing two types of 12.5 Hodge Barrels being offered for sale, one being labeled as dedicated suppressed and the other being labeled something along the lines of standard/non-suppressed. That would explain the differences in gas ports. Can't comment on the threads. |
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Quoted: I do remember seeing two types of 12.5 Hodge Barrels being offered for sale, one being labeled as dedicated suppressed and the other being labeled something along the lines of standard/non-suppressed. That would explain the differences in gas ports. Can't comment on the threads. View Quote They were both the exact same product ID straight out of identical packaging. |
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Quoted: If you watch School of the American Rifleman he did two different' hodge barrels. Both were 12.5. Gas port sizes were dramatically different and the threads on one were not true. Who is doing the QC work on them if he has no overhead? does he doe it himself? of does he spec out barrels different when he orders more (talking about the port size). View Quote He relies on the company on their QC, and yes he has spec’d different port sizes. Only QC Jim probably does is on his compete rifles and uppers. As far as SOTAR goes he finds problems with all manufacturers, FCD, Knights ect. ETA: let’s keep this a picture thread like OP wanted |
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Quoted: I do remember seeing two types of 12.5 Hodge Barrels being offered for sale, one being labeled as dedicated suppressed and the other being labeled something along the lines of standard/non-suppressed. That would explain the differences in gas ports. Can't comment on the threads. View Quote Hodge Defense does offer two 12.5 barrels, Weapon Outfitters has both barrels in stock. Optimized for suppressed use has a .064 gas port. Part# 185-10351 Optimized for general use has .069 gas port. Part# HDG-63202 |
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Quoted: Hodge Defense does offer two 12.5 barrels, Weapon Outfitters has both barrels in stock. Optimized for suppressed use has a .064 gas port. Optimized for general use has .069 gas port. View Quote Yes, but didn't the "two different spec" barrels happen because of no QC -- meaning it was a mistake those barrels were drilled with a larger port? Now, it's become a thing, but I believe the first barrels with a larger port hit the market due to a lack of QC. Same with barrels with journals sized for FSB's. He has alluded to the fact himself that parts sold at dealers essentially go from manufacturer to dealer; he himself doesn't QC those parts. As someone mentioned above with respect to BCG's with bad staking; they went from manufacturer to dealer with no 'Hodge' QC. |
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Quoted: They were not, rewatch the video. Chad thought that they were, but they had different manufacture dates. View Quote He pretty much wasn't paying attention, I watch almost all of Chads videos that guys a wealth of knowledge. The barrels have 2 different manufacture dates but anyone who watched the whole thing knows that I guess he also skipped the part where he said he would be happy to own either. I guess maybe he knows what he's talking about sometimes but not others in whats his faces opinion. Dude has literally came to this thread 3 times with wrong information. Hes probably just mad he can't afford or find one Also I wonder if he noticed literally almost every major manufacture has some type of autopsy on there, things built by people arnt always perfect. I've broken several things that were supposed to never break. |
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2 Hodge 12.5" Barrel Physicals |
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Quoted: I concur, I see now why there may have not been a hodge thread yet people just love to dislike things. Its a $2500 Ar-15 at this point there is nothing revolutionary about the AR-15 I would class it in the same group as I would the other 2k+ rifles and in my opinion at that point a lot just comes down to what you like. Sure the Sr-15 is a stand out in certain ways but even then its It wasn't anything that made me say my god this is "the" rifle matter of fact quite the opposite as I now no longer own one. Mine wasn't accurate by any stretch of the word Though when everyone talks about hodge guns They want to know why it doesnt shoot sub half moa and compare it to KAC which in my experience is certainly not an moa gun. Sample size of a couple there as I'm not the only one I know who owned or has owned one. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I'd much rather have a wedgelock, regardless of it being a ZEV, SOLGW, Triarc or Hodge than any other skinny rail. The AL-Li Hodges are exorbitantly expensive but they're nicely balanced rifles at the shoulder. The interview literally says "...and money not being an issue." The price to performance gain ratio isn't skewed or misconstrued even by the man himself. I concur, I see now why there may have not been a hodge thread yet people just love to dislike things. Its a $2500 Ar-15 at this point there is nothing revolutionary about the AR-15 I would class it in the same group as I would the other 2k+ rifles and in my opinion at that point a lot just comes down to what you like. Sure the Sr-15 is a stand out in certain ways but even then its It wasn't anything that made me say my god this is "the" rifle matter of fact quite the opposite as I now no longer own one. Mine wasn't accurate by any stretch of the word Though when everyone talks about hodge guns They want to know why it doesnt shoot sub half moa and compare it to KAC which in my experience is certainly not an moa gun. Sample size of a couple there as I'm not the only one I know who owned or has owned one. The SR15 will shoot sub MOA |
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I bought a Hodge barrel (14.5) a few years ago for accuracy testing, as well as I was curious on how an ‘optimized m855a1 chamber’ might react with known loads I have like a warm 77gr in regards to velocity. The Hodge barrel I have - a sample size of one - is on the upper end of barrels I’ve tested. The Hodge and and Centurions are the best non-stainless ones so far. Velocity difference was only slightly down from a multitude of Colt M4A1 I have. Centurions on the other hand have always been at the upper end for speed when comparing 5.56 chambers in 14.5. This is just on paper. Won’t make any appreciable difference in reality. I am pleased with the barrel, even though it sits on a shelf.
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one point to consider is that most people won't shoot out a chrome lined 556 barrel, although this site has a large amount of people who are not "most" people. But what everyone will benefit immediately from is a reduced gas port barrel if they shoot suppressed. Obviously there are other ways of achieving that, like the BRT inserts, but it is something that even the guy who shoots two mags a year can benefit from.
That said, hodge barrels aren't really designed or marketed for that person. |
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Quoted: I bought a Hodge barrel (14.5) a few years ago for accuracy testing, as well as I was curious on how an ‘optimized m855a1 chamber’ might react with known loads I have like a warm 77gr in regards to velocity. The Hodge barrel I have - a sample size of one - is on the upper end of barrels I’ve tested. The Hodge and and Centurions are the best non-stainless ones so far. Velocity difference was only slightly down from a multitude of Colt M4A1 I have. Centurions on the other hand have always been at the upper end for speed when comparing 5.56 chambers in 14.5. This is just on paper. Won’t make any appreciable difference in reality. I am pleased with the barrel, even though it sits on a shelf. View Quote What does "appreciable difference in reality" mean? |
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There’s a new article from AR-Build Junkie with Jim Hodge.
Y’all should give it a read. He’s talking a lot about this type of thread: Q: I’ve found Hodge Defense Systems enthusiasts to be very helpful and friendly overall, but on some forums, the amount of venom and sarcasm can be a bit overwhelming, especially for someone who is just starting out. Hodge: At what point and time can we just allow someone to buy something that they can actually afford and then learn from it on their own journey? Wouldn’t it be cool if we could then help that person on their journey with meaningful data and meaningful support, rather than saying, “Yo, dude, your gun sucks compared to mine.” View Quote |
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Good article. Problem is, supply and demand. And as long as Jim is unwilling to grow his company to meet demand, his products will command a premium because of said demand. If he is unable or unwilling to mitigate long lulls in product release, the scarcity will cause prices to go up.
I understand what he's saying, that he doesn't want his brand to be for everyone, but when someone approaches the market as uniquely as he does, how can you not appreciate and not want his products? I see a handful of solutions. If Jim doesn't want his product to become a status symbol, release more product. Have regular releases with enough to go around. Or raise the price astronomically and price out most people. Or stop completely. Lack of access will create the resentment and negativity. He created a brand, scarcity has driven desirability, and there's increasing demand. I don't see what's surprising here. He may not like it, but this is simple economics and marketing. |
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Quoted: There’s a new article from AR-Build Junkie with Jim Hodge. Y’all should give it a read. He’s talking a lot about this type of thread: View Quote Thanks for the link, much appreciated. A lot of what he's saying is true, especially about the whole "poors" nonsense going on now. Looking forward to more Hodge drops, every single one I've been late by seconds. My 12.5" build is nearly complete, just waiting on a titanium barrel nut that I was able to source. |
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I have a 14.5” hodge barrel, built into kind of a knockoff hodge upper. Zev upper receiver and rail. I’ve shot it side by side with other 14.5” barrels I own, and it is not the most accurate I own, especially with cheap 55 grain. Not that it’s inaccurate by any means, but for me personally I bought the barrel knowing a CHF chrome lined barrel’s limitations; I bought it for barrel life/longevity shooting suppressed.
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Proven, repeatable velocities of common off the shelf 855 and 193 through the 12.5”, 14.5”, and 16” HDSI rifles. Since everyone owns faster, more consistent, better barrels that were half the price this data really isn’t relevant but it keeps the thread tech related ??????? Attached File
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Black Hills Attached File
MK 262 |
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Quoted: Proven, repeatable velocities of common off the shelf 855 and 193 through the 12.5”, 14.5”, and 16” HDSI rifles. Since everyone owns faster, more consistent, better barrels that were half the price this data really isn’t relevant but it keeps the thread tech related ???????https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/483208/835562D5-E6DE-4BF6-9E4D-A3514D8A53DF_jpe-1812738.JPG View Quote Best pic posted in this thread so far. |
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14.5” keeping 50 cent a round Frontier five round groups under 1 MOA, other than the occasional rogue round that could be because it’s 50 cents a round or I screwed up Attached File
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After seeing those pics in the snow and rain, I'm getting one!
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Quoted: Proven, repeatable velocities of common off the shelf 855 and 193 through the 12.5”, 14.5”, and 16” HDSI rifles. Since everyone owns faster, more consistent, better barrels that were half the price this data really isn’t relevant but it keeps the thread tech related ???????https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/483208/835562D5-E6DE-4BF6-9E4D-A3514D8A53DF_jpe-1812738.JPG View Quote Well done |
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Started load development today. Using h335 I worked up from 22 grains to 24.5.
24.5 got me an average of 2725 an es of 16 Only shot 3 round groups with the way things are lately im always trying to do more with less. The ejection was still a little forward but the faster I got the better my es started to become ill play around in smaller increments in this area and see if I can grab a good node and get up to say 2750 Hard to tell how the groups looked as I was using the magnifier and that was a first for me only ever used magnified optics for load development best was prolly 2 moa (all me) ill have to stick a scope on it and try again gotta decide if I really want to know what it can do from all the shit talking but again she's not a precision gun and does what I want so we will see if I get around to that. |
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Quoted: Started load development today. Using h335 I worked up from 22 grains to 24.5. 24.5 got me an average of 2725 an es of 16 Only shot 3 round groups with the way things are lately im always trying to do more with less. The ejection was still a little forward but the faster I got the better my es started to become ill play around in smaller increments in this area and see if I can grab a good node and get up to say 2750 Hard to tell how the groups looked as I was using the magnifier and that was a first for me only ever used magnified optics for load development best was prolly 2 moa (all me) ill have to stick a scope on it and try again gotta decide if I really want to know what it can do from all the shit talking but again she's not a precision gun and does what I want so we will see if I get around to that. With a decent optic CL CHF 5.56 chambered barrels do ok, 12 Y/O running five round groups at 300 yards at 3/4 MOA with off the shelf ammo with my 16” Mod 1 Attached File View Quote |
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12.5” with LPVO out to 300, but it was designed and intended for running and gunning not DMR duty Attached File
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If you want a small frame DMR you go 6 ARC ?? Attached File
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Quoted: 12.5” with LPVO out to 300, but it was designed and intended for running and gunning not DMR dutyhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/483208/97516A9D-9138-453D-92BB-91C24587C044_jpe-1814140.JPG View Quote Thats hot ?? |
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Quoted: If you want a small frame DMR you go 6 ARC ??https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/483208/45C2584B-8C64-40A4-97DC-CB81D389A6A9_jpe-1814144.JPG View Quote That a 3-8 or 5-25 mk5? I've got a 3-18 that should be back next week from leupold for the 2nd time. Really hope they got it figured out. I have buddies with 5-25s that are great but I've been seeing some fishy stuff about the 3-18 recently. |
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Quoted: That a 3-8 or 5-25 mk5? I've got a 3-18 that should be back next week from leupold for the 2nd time. Really hope they got it figured out. I have buddies with 5-25s that are great but I've been seeing some fishy stuff about the 3-18 recently. View Quote It’s the 3.6-18, it’s not my personal optic, just using to gather data on the ammo, no telling how many rifles and rounds it has been used with and it’s crystal clear and tracks perfect, but again it’s at least a few years old so not a newer run they may have had issues with. Loo-Pold will definitely make good if they can’t fix yours, just give them a chance. |
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Quoted: That a 3-8 or 5-25 mk5? I've got a 3-18 that should be back next week from leupold for the 2nd time. Really hope they got it figured out. I have buddies with 5-25s that are great but I've been seeing some fishy stuff about the 3-18 recently. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: If you want a small frame DMR you go 6 ARC ??https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/483208/45C2584B-8C64-40A4-97DC-CB81D389A6A9_jpe-1814144.JPG That a 3-8 or 5-25 mk5? I've got a 3-18 that should be back next week from leupold for the 2nd time. Really hope they got it figured out. I have buddies with 5-25s that are great but I've been seeing some fishy stuff about the 3-18 recently. The 5-25 Mk5 has issues as well. A friend has one that has a 10% dialing error and another feels the clarity isn't worth the price paid. A couple of hunters I spoke with at the range last year were very happy with theirs. |
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Attached File
My complete 14.5 Hodge Mod1 Upper Attached File Complete Hodge 12.5 Mod1 rifle. This has the .69 spec gas port. Both guns run the Vltor A5 system. |
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Attached File
My complete 14.5 Hodge Mod1 Upper Attached File Complete Hodge 12.5 Mod1 rifle. This has the .69 spec gas port. Both guns run the Vltor A5 system. Attached File Cerakote done by Roman Arms. Attached File |
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There's an S-Lock 11.5" going for north of $700 with six days to go on GB.
Jim, please just make more. |
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Quoted: There's an S-Lock 11.5" going for north of $700 with six days to go on GB. Jim, please just make more. View Quote I watch GB also and saw that pop up today...reminded me of missing the Big Tex drop on a 11.5" rail by mere seconds. Had one in my cart to check out (13 in stock when I added it) and I got an error saying it was sold out when trying to pay for it. Pic of completed upper with the Hodge/FCD LSFA Attached File |
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