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Posted: 7/15/2012 7:21:25 AM EDT
| Anyone have any experience with this rifle? How is spare parts availability? What is the going price? I am interested in 5.56. Thanks in advance for the info. |
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The REC7 is a durable and solid design. It uses a big beefy gas rod and the piston regulator is well thought out and easily removed. Accuracy is good and the fit and finish is 2nd to none. Going rate for the rifle in 5.56 is about $1,800 and has actually come down a bit. The rifles were closer to $2K a year or so ago.
I don't know about spare parts. 
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| I have one in 6.8. It is my favorite piston gun right now. The only drawback I see for the gun is the chrome lined barrel, which isn't as accurate as some of the nitrided barrels LWRC, POF and others are using. I had mine re-barreled by AR15performance.com with his excellent 16-inch nitrided scout barrel and it shoots half MOA all day long now. Check the LWRC vs POF post for a link to a shot show video with Ronnie Barrett. |
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Is this REC7 muzzle heavy like the LWRC??? Wulfmann MJ: You have a PWS and an REC7 can you offer an opinion of the balance comparability please? 
Any reports of these having rod problems, big one and looks strong but if it bent in the slightest looks like no worky 
Wulfmann |
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Is this REC7 muzzle heavy like the LWRC??? Wulfmann MJ: You have a PWS and an REC7 can you offer an opinion of the balance comparability please?
Any reports of these having rod problems, big one and looks strong but if it bent in the slightest looks like no worky
Wulfmann Balance is good on both but the Barrett is slightly heavier. Barrel profile on the Barrett is somewhat larger and the Barrett's rail is solid rather than four individual panels. I've never pulled the individual components off each rifle so I can't comment on anything other than a visual observation. The gas piston rod on the Barrett is a big fat beefy rod all the way from the gas block to a point where it tapers to fit though the upper receiver. This taper is only the last few inches of rod and brings the Barrett's rod to a diameter that's close to that of the PWS. Forward of the taper, the rod is larger than any other AR piston rod I'm familiar with. While I'm sure it is possible to damage the rod, it isn't something I'd envision happening while that rod's in the rifle. Anything that's likely to damage the rod would probably crush the handguard and disable the rifle. With that said, the rod isn't attached or contained by the handguard so the rifle would still work with no handguard on the gun at all. If the handguard was damaged and was rubbing on the piston, the handguard could be removed and thrown away in an emergency. This isn't something you could do with the PWS since the top rail is required to keep the gas tube, gas block and piston rod all in alignment. I suppose it would be possible to dent or ding the PWS upper rail and render the entire weapon inoperable until a new rail could be installed. This same potential exists on the AK47. Also, I suppose it might be possible to more easily damage the PWS rod/bolt assembly. Since these are all pinned together, I imagine knocking these parts off a shooting bench or workbench during careless disassembly or cleaning might bend the changing handle since it is aluminum or possibly knock the gas piston/piston rod alignment out of whack. Possible? Sure. Likely? No. Anyway, my guess is that damage to either rod would be possible if done intentionally but not likely to happen unless the rifle is subjected to deliberate and intentional abuse. Damage that would bend a gas piston would likely bend a gas tube and take a rifle with either gas system out of service. |
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Thanks MJ, good explanation
Since you say balance is good on both does that mean it is fairly neutral in balance and therefore less muzzle heavy like the LWRC, LMT, POF HK etc etc?? I am considering an REC 7 and do not have access to one to play with so that point is important to me Wulfmann |
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Thanks MJ, good explanation Since you say balance is good on both does that mean it is fairly neutral in balance and therefore less muzzle heavy like the LWRC, LMT, POF HK etc etc?? I am considering an REC 7 and do not have access to one to play with so that point is important to me Wulfmann I don't have all those rifles on-hand to compare balance so I can't give you an answer. I will say that the Barrett has a nice balance and doesn't seem top heavy or front heavy or anything like that. |
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I would have to say the balance is more barrel dependent than gas piston design dependent. I re-barreled my REC7 and it is WAY less front heavy than my LWRC M6A2 upper but this really isn't a fair comparison since I also have a VFG on my LWRC. I would find a rifle that has a Similar barrel profile to the REC7 and check it for balance. I think the rail will play into this as well. I have the REC7 with the Daniel Defense rail. My stock Barrett barrel is at the house. If you want me to caliper the profile when I get home, i can. I am really liking the gas piston design of the Barrett and I think out of all of them, it most closely resembles the AK. I have absolutely ZERO CARRIER TILT wear in the Barrett as well.
I really can't imagine that a DI gas block and piston gas Block weigh that much different and the piston can't be more than a few ounces as well. I can weigh the Barrett piston rod too if you want. Again, I would have to say barrel and rail are really the factors in balance and muzzle weight feel. |
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I would have to say the balance is more barrel dependent than gas piston design dependent. I re-barreled my REC7 and it is WAY less front heavy than my LWRC M6A2 upper but this really isn't a fair comparison since I also have a VFG on my LWRC. I would find a rifle that has a Similar barrel profile to the REC7 and check it for balance. I think the rail will play into this as well. I have the REC7 with the Daniel Defense rail. My stock Barrett barrel is at the house. If you want me to caliper the profile when I get home, i can. I am really liking the gas piston design of the Barrett and I think out of all of them, it most closely resembles the AK. I have absolutely ZERO CARRIER TILT wear in the Barrett as well. I really can't imagine that a DI gas block and piston gas Block weigh that much different and the piston can't be more than a few ounces as well. I can weigh the Barrett piston rod too if you want. Again, I would have to say barrel and rail are really the factors in balance and muzzle weight feel. swat, I know you and I have jousted in the past on here but I just wanted to offer you some friendly advice. Wulf isn't really interested, he just wants to stir the pot on barrel, muzzle, balance and feel. I do like those Barrets! |
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I would have to say the balance is more barrel dependent than gas piston design dependent. I re-barreled my REC7 and it is WAY less front heavy than my LWRC M6A2 upper but this really isn't a fair comparison since I also have a VFG on my LWRC. I would find a rifle that has a Similar barrel profile to the REC7 and check it for balance. I think the rail will play into this as well. I have the REC7 with the Daniel Defense rail. My stock Barrett barrel is at the house. If you want me to caliper the profile when I get home, i can. I am really liking the gas piston design of the Barrett and I think out of all of them, it most closely resembles the AK. I have absolutely ZERO CARRIER TILT wear in the Barrett as well. I really can't imagine that a DI gas block and piston gas Block weigh that much different and the piston can't be more than a few ounces as well. I can weigh the Barrett piston rod too if you want. Again, I would have to say barrel and rail are really the factors in balance and muzzle weight feel. swat, I know you and I have jousted in the past on here but I just wanted to offer you some friendly advice. Wulf isn't really interested, he just wants to stir the pot on barrel, muzzle, balance and feel. I do like those Barrets! Someone else might find it useful. The barrel is .80 under the hand guard, .75 gas block and .720 to the muzzle. The piston rod with spring weighs 95 grams. |
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I would have to say the balance is more barrel dependent than gas piston design dependent. I re-barreled my REC7 and it is WAY less front heavy than my LWRC M6A2 upper but this really isn't a fair comparison since I also have a VFG on my LWRC. I would find a rifle that has a Similar barrel profile to the REC7 and check it for balance. I think the rail will play into this as well. I have the REC7 with the Daniel Defense rail. My stock Barrett barrel is at the house. If you want me to caliper the profile when I get home, i can. I am really liking the gas piston design of the Barrett and I think out of all of them, it most closely resembles the AK. I have absolutely ZERO CARRIER TILT wear in the Barrett as well. I really can't imagine that a DI gas block and piston gas Block weigh that much different and the piston can't be more than a few ounces as well. I can weigh the Barrett piston rod too if you want. Again, I would have to say barrel and rail are really the factors in balance and muzzle weight feel. swat, I know you and I have jousted in the past on here but I just wanted to offer you some friendly advice. Wulf isn't really interested, he just wants to stir the pot on barrel, muzzle, balance and feel. I do like those Barrets! The fact is i have never held an REC 7 and don't have time to care what guns I am not interested in feel like. The fact some small minded people actually believe I would waste my time researching something just to stir the pot is pathetic 
I have looked at the seeming superior design of this Barrett but because I have 2 well balanced PWS MK114s and know muzzle heavy guns are not of interest to me and the fact this design offers the possibility of more neutral balance is why I seek to cure my ignorance with answers from those with experience. In 2010 I did a lot of research on LWRC as it was what I intended to own but having had the opportunity to both play with and shoot them and while believing they are superbly engineered guns the lighter better balance of the PWS won me over and people like Ruger just can't accept that simple fact. LWRC even felt compelled to counter the PWS by introducing the SPR which it touts as better balanced and lighter, sounds like imitation being the best form a flattery more for Ruger and other fan bois to cry about. I did not mention the LWRC to stir the pot but to use it as a legitimate reference as its muzzle heavy aspect is universally recognized and most do not mind it or accept it drawn to its many other fine qualities. I was hoping someone that owned both the LWRC M6A2 and the REC 7 would be able to shed some light and by no means wanted this to be anything but an honest search for real answers I feel bad for fan bois that get their feelings hurt and must make false accusations but I do appreciate the advise for the REC 7. I must say it looks sweet 
Wulfmann |
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Someone else might find it useful. The barrel is .80 under the hand guard, .75 gas block and .720 to the muzzle. The piston rod with spring weighs 95 grams. That actually sounds good to me but I hope someone with more knowledge can tell me if what sounds good in my ignorance is really good. Wulfmann |
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I have looked at the seeming superior design of this Barrett but because I have 2 well balanced PWS MK114s and know muzzle heavy guns are not of interest to me and the fact this design offers the possibility of more neutral balance is why I seek to cure my ignorance with answers from those with experience. There's more separating the Barrett and PWS than just balance and weight. The Barrett gas system is built hell for stout and the entire assembly can be removed from the barrel and gas block for inspection and cleaning. Also, the Barrett has a gas adjustment that allows for running the gun with a suppressor without playing with buffers and springs to get the gun cycling properly. |
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I have looked at the seeming superior design of this Barrett but because I have 2 well balanced PWS MK114s and know muzzle heavy guns are not of interest to me and the fact this design offers the possibility of more neutral balance is why I seek to cure my ignorance with answers from those with experience. There's more separating the Barrett and PWS than just balance and weight. The Barrett gas system is built hell for stout and the entire assembly can be removed from the barrel and gas block for inspection and cleaning. Also, the Barrett has a gas adjustment that allows for running the gun with a suppressor without playing with buffers and springs to get the gun cycling properly. I might want to add, the Barrett is designed as a piston gun from the ground up. The bolt is made from harder steel and the lugs are engineered to handle the extra stresses of piston operation. It is also made without gas rings. Like all good piston designs, the strike face is molded into the BC as a single piece. The piston is based on the tried and true AK design which has grooves to shed debris and I really like the fact that the additional gas is directed out a hole in the front of the gas plug, not onto the barrel or rail like my LWRC and POF. There are also flutes at the end of the piston tube that shed debris as well. I am about to buy a second Barrett upper and am considering not cleaning my REC7 to see how long it can go without failing. |
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Found this one for $1779.00. has the DD Omega X™ A.R.M.S.® S.I.R.®. I just reserved this baby. http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt228/mkgarms/pop_wm_4119498.jpg How does it have both a DD Omega X and an ARMS SIR? |
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My REC7 weighs 7.54 pounds. That's with no mag and no optic but with KAC rail covers, VFG and sights. Since this picture was taken, I have replaced the A2 flash hider with an AAC 51T Blackout. Weight measurement is with the 51T attached so you can take off a tiny amount of weight if you discount the change in flash hiders.
The REC7 is a very solid and simple design and I'm glad to see Barrett's efforts to bring the price to levels more akin to those of other makers. There are a bunch of nice piston guns on the market and, unless you're buying on name alone, Barrett had priced themselves out of the market. Now with the prices closer to $1,800 I think we'll start to see more interest. On the down side, I'd like to see Barrett supply a better stock with the REC7. An $1,800 rifle should ship with something other than a Magpul MOE stock. Another dislike is the sling mounting point built into the receiver end plate. The sling loop gives about 3/4" of clearance between the top of the loop and the charging handle and I bang my knuckles on the loop if I'm not careful.
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Is this REC7 muzzle heavy like the LWRC??? Wulfmann I have a Barrett Rec7 in 5.56mm and an LWRC M6A2 SPR with the 16" barrel. They are really close. I don't have them in my hand right now, but the Barrett is slightly heavier overall than the LWRC and the balance is similar between them. I'll have to grab them both and report back, but they are not different enough for me to notice one to be more nose heavy than the other. Both are considerably beter balanced and far less nose heavy than my RRA Elite Operator (which might be why I didn't notice). Not sure if that helps any. |
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Is this REC7 muzzle heavy like the LWRC??? Wulfmann MJ: You have a PWS and an REC7 can you offer an opinion of the balance comparability please?
Any reports of these having rod problems, big one and looks strong but if it bent in the slightest looks like no worky
Wulfmann Balance is good on both but the Barrett is slightly heavier. Barrel profile on the Barrett is somewhat larger and the Barrett's rail is solid rather than four individual panels. I've never pulled the individual components off each rifle so I can't comment on anything other than a visual observation. The gas piston rod on the Barrett is a big fat beefy rod all the way from the gas block to a point where it tapers to fit though the upper receiver. This taper is only the last few inches of rod and brings the Barrett's rod to a diameter that's close to that of the PWS. Forward of the taper, the rod is larger than any other AR piston rod I'm familiar with. While I'm sure it is possible to damage the rod, it isn't something I'd envision happening while that rod's in the rifle. Anything that's likely to damage the rod would probably crush the handguard and disable the rifle. With that said, the rod isn't attached or contained by the handguard so the rifle would still work with no handguard on the gun at all. If the handguard was damaged and was rubbing on the piston, the handguard could be removed and thrown away in an emergency. This isn't something you could do with the PWS since the top rail is required to keep the gas tube, gas block and piston rod all in alignment. I suppose it would be possible to dent or ding the PWS upper rail and render the entire weapon inoperable until a new rail could be installed. This same potential exists on the AK47. Also, I suppose it might be possible to more easily damage the PWS rod/bolt assembly. Since these are all pinned together, I imagine knocking these parts off a shooting bench or workbench during careless disassembly or cleaning might bend the changing handle since it is aluminum or possibly knock the gas piston/piston rod alignment out of whack. Possible? Sure. Likely? No. Anyway, my guess is that damage to either rod would be possible if done intentionally but not likely to happen unless the rifle is subjected to deliberate and intentional abuse. Damage that would bend a gas piston would likely bend a gas tube and take a rifle with either gas system out of service. Reminds me of the LMT piston system, but the piston is beefier. The carrier looks fairly similar as well. I've only seen a couple of broken pistons on the LMTs and one was probably ammo related. It surprises me that the LMT piston can stand up to forces from cycling, as skinny as it is. My last MRP piston barrel had between 13k and 15k rounds through it and the piston still looked brand new , despite very noticeable erosion in the throat and near the crown. |
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The basic piston designs on the LMT and Barrett are similar––as are most other piston AR's––but the Barrett has a small bleed off hole in the gas regulator. Also, the Barrett's gas block is more open at the rear so virtually all fouling is blown outside of the block.
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Is this REC7 muzzle heavy like the LWRC??? Wulfmann MJ: You have a PWS and an REC7 can you offer an opinion of the balance comparability please?
Any reports of these having rod problems, big one and looks strong but if it bent in the slightest looks like no worky
Wulfmann Balance is good on both but the Barrett is slightly heavier. Barrel profile on the Barrett is somewhat larger and the Barrett's rail is solid rather than four individual panels. I've never pulled the individual components off each rifle so I can't comment on anything other than a visual observation. The gas piston rod on the Barrett is a big fat beefy rod all the way from the gas block to a point where it tapers to fit though the upper receiver. This taper is only the last few inches of rod and brings the Barrett's rod to a diameter that's close to that of the PWS. Forward of the taper, the rod is larger than any other AR piston rod I'm familiar with. While I'm sure it is possible to damage the rod, it isn't something I'd envision happening while that rod's in the rifle. Anything that's likely to damage the rod would probably crush the handguard and disable the rifle. With that said, the rod isn't attached or contained by the handguard so the rifle would still work with no handguard on the gun at all. If the handguard was damaged and was rubbing on the piston, the handguard could be removed and thrown away in an emergency. This isn't something you could do with the PWS since the top rail is required to keep the gas tube, gas block and piston rod all in alignment. I suppose it would be possible to dent or ding the PWS upper rail and render the entire weapon inoperable until a new rail could be installed. This same potential exists on the AK47. Also, I suppose it might be possible to more easily damage the PWS rod/bolt assembly. Since these are all pinned together, I imagine knocking these parts off a shooting bench or workbench during careless disassembly or cleaning might bend the changing handle since it is aluminum or possibly knock the gas piston/piston rod alignment out of whack. Possible? Sure. Likely? No. Anyway, my guess is that damage to either rod would be possible if done intentionally but not likely to happen unless the rifle is subjected to deliberate and intentional abuse. Damage that would bend a gas piston would likely bend a gas tube and take a rifle with either gas system out of service. Reminds me of the LMT piston system, but the piston is beefier. The carrier looks fairly similar as well. I've only seen a couple of broken pistons on the LMTs and one was probably ammo related. It surprises me that the LMT piston can stand up to forces from cycling, as skinny as it is. My last MRP piston barrel had between 13k and 15k rounds through it and the piston still looked brand new , despite very noticeable erosion in the throat and near the crown. |
While cleaning my FAL and LMT, I also noticed that the front loading AR15 piston systems, like the Barrett and LMT, remind me of the piston system on the FAL.  If it ain't broke don't fix it, I guess.
I'm thinking about buying another piston AR to keep my LMT company. The PWS and Barrett are on my short list of candidates. Quoted:
The basic piston designs on the LMT and Barrett are similar––as are most other piston AR's––but the Barrett has a small bleed off hole in the gas regulator. Also, the Barrett's gas block is more open at the rear so virtually all fouling is blown outside of the block. Quoted:
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Is this REC7 muzzle heavy like the LWRC??? Wulfmann MJ: You have a PWS and an REC7 can you offer an opinion of the balance comparability please?
Any reports of these having rod problems, big one and looks strong but if it bent in the slightest looks like no worky
Wulfmann Balance is good on both but the Barrett is slightly heavier. Barrel profile on the Barrett is somewhat larger and the Barrett's rail is solid rather than four individual panels. I've never pulled the individual components off each rifle so I can't comment on anything other than a visual observation. The gas piston rod on the Barrett is a big fat beefy rod all the way from the gas block to a point where it tapers to fit though the upper receiver. This taper is only the last few inches of rod and brings the Barrett's rod to a diameter that's close to that of the PWS. Forward of the taper, the rod is larger than any other AR piston rod I'm familiar with. While I'm sure it is possible to damage the rod, it isn't something I'd envision happening while that rod's in the rifle. Anything that's likely to damage the rod would probably crush the handguard and disable the rifle. With that said, the rod isn't attached or contained by the handguard so the rifle would still work with no handguard on the gun at all. If the handguard was damaged and was rubbing on the piston, the handguard could be removed and thrown away in an emergency. This isn't something you could do with the PWS since the top rail is required to keep the gas tube, gas block and piston rod all in alignment. I suppose it would be possible to dent or ding the PWS upper rail and render the entire weapon inoperable until a new rail could be installed. This same potential exists on the AK47. Also, I suppose it might be possible to more easily damage the PWS rod/bolt assembly. Since these are all pinned together, I imagine knocking these parts off a shooting bench or workbench during careless disassembly or cleaning might bend the changing handle since it is aluminum or possibly knock the gas piston/piston rod alignment out of whack. Possible? Sure. Likely? No. Anyway, my guess is that damage to either rod would be possible if done intentionally but not likely to happen unless the rifle is subjected to deliberate and intentional abuse. Damage that would bend a gas piston would likely bend a gas tube and take a rifle with either gas system out of service. Reminds me of the LMT piston system, but the piston is beefier. The carrier looks fairly similar as well. I've only seen a couple of broken pistons on the LMTs and one was probably ammo related. It surprises me that the LMT piston can stand up to forces from cycling, as skinny as it is. My last MRP piston barrel had between 13k and 15k rounds through it and the piston still looked brand new , despite very noticeable erosion in the throat and near the crown. |
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While cleaning my FAL and LMT, I also noticed that the front loading AR15 piston systems, like the Barrett and LMT, remind me of the piston system on the FAL. If it ain't broke don't fix it, I guess.
I'm thinking about buying another piston AR to keep my LMT company. The PWS and Barrett are on my short list of candidates. Yep. LMT, Barrett and POF all use an FN-FAL style piston system, which can be cleaned and serviced without rail removal. |
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I noticed a proprietary bolt in one of the pics but will the Rec7 run with a standard AR bolt? The carrier is setup for a piston operating rod so it's missing the gas key and it's been replaced with a strike face. I believe you could drop a standard AR bolt in the carrier (I haven't tried it with mine). It's missing the gas rings, but otherwise seems interchangeable with other bolts. |
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My brother in Indianapolis has a REC7 in 5.56. He loves it. I've fired it on a few trips up there. It is a nice rifle. Real damn nice. I built up a piston gun using an Adams Arms kit for a lot less.
I worked at Barrett when the M468 was in production. I liked it. Didn't like the SIR fore end though. |
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You guys are killing me with this front end heavy thing having anything to do with the piston. I am going to go out on a limb and say the piston system weight can't be more than a few ounces heavier than a gas block and gas tube. Rifle balance has much more to do with barrel weight, barrel length, rail weight, optics weight, VFG weight, flashlight weight, and probably the biggest contributor to balance in its ballast effect... stock weight.
As I previously posted, the Barrett op rod weighs a little over 3 ounces, which is spread from inside the upper receiver to the gas block. A Wilson combat 6.8 recon barrel in 16 inches is 34 ounces while the same Wilson recon barrel in 14.7 inches is 30.8 ounces, a difference of 3.2 ounces. However, this weight is not evenly distributed like the op rod, but is all at the end of the rifle where you are going to feel it way more. If you can notice the difference in the piston rod weight from a DI gun, I'm guessing you could feel a pea under a stack of 10 mattresses princess. 
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