Advanced Barrel Systems is pleased to announce that it has received the licensing paperwork to produce complete uppers, and barrels, in limited quantities from Alexander Arms, the originator of the 6.5 Grendel cartridge.

We are not taking orders yet, because there are some paperwork details to finish, and reamers and other items need to be ordered, before we can do any production.

However, we aim to be doing some specialty uppers and barrels for the SHOT Show, and the chambering will be available in both the carbon fiber barrel line, and in the all-stainless steel match-barrel line, all featuring Mike Rock barrel blanks.

As far as I know, ABS is the first to receive such licensing, outside of the small inner circle surrounding the originators of the 6.5 Grendel cartridge, and we feel honored to be among the first, if not the very first, of the future licensees for this fine cartridge in the mid-bore category.

The license includes provisions for AR15 uppers and barrels, and also for bolt-gun packages in the 6.5 Grendel.

When all the "ducks are in a row", I will place an ad on the EE for 6.5 Grendel packages that conform to our licensing agreement with AA.

I just wanted to get the news out, so that people can see that this cartridge is moving forward even further, and is moving toward more availability, and sources of options for the fans of the 6.5 Grendel.

Thanks to Bill and John, and all the crew at AA for assisting us in obtaining this license.

Quoted: GETTHEFUGGOUDAHERE! Barrel lengths please?

Barrel lengths are yet to be determined, pending any conditions set by Alexander Arms.
If we are given leeway to experiment, then we can go any length that we determine is reliable and effective.
At this time, I can only say that the barrel lengths currently supported by AA, will be available.
However, if this changes, an announcement will be made to that effect.

Quoted: As far as I know, ABS is the first to receive such licensing, outside of the small inner circle surrounding the originators of the 6.5 Grendel cartridge, and we feel honored to be among the first, if not the very first, of the future licensees for this fine cartridge in the mid-bore category.

Tom-

Not trying to hijack the thread or anything, but I got my first version of the agreement 12/16 and the final revised one 1/4 so there are others as well...
I have the reamer, gauges and 10 Rock barrels sitting on the shelf awaiting final QC specs after they accept my agreement as amended.

Congratulations Randall!

Glad to hear that from you!

Quoted: It seems somehow odd to me that AA has taken so long to get to licensing.

Tell me about it...
I have been waiting since February 2004 when I first requested the license agreement.

Further, that they would specify that only those configurations/barrel lengths that THEY specify could be made/sold?  Well, there goes a TON of free R&D by the interested shooter!

Alexander has not given me any hint that I am required to do specific lengths or profiles of barrels.
When I went to them to get licensed, my sole purpose was because I have customers who want something DIFFERENT than what they have to offer.
Nothing in my communications with them leads me to believe that I can't make ANY kind of barrel as long as the safety and quality are kept up.

I think my first test barrel will be a medium weight mid-length 16"

I can't imagine that ABS's agreement is much different than mine except for the quantities they can produce and the royalties they pay.

As a side note, has Grendel been submitted to/approved by SAAMI yet?

Most certianly not.
It's about impossible to keep a cartridge proprietary if you release all the technical information about it.
When SAAMI accepts a design, it's published.
Anyone can BUY a copy of the SAAMI drawings and all the reamer makers, gun makers, ammo makers and reloading die makers work from these drawings to ensure compatability.

Since I haven't gotten any firm notice about barrel lengths in this agreement, one way or the other, I'm not stepping into any statements that I'm not sure about.

I will be sure about what I say, or else be conservative about my statements, as I was in my earlier posting.

There is always time to make statements about barrel lengths, after I am sure about them.

Again, this means I don't know if there are going to be any guidelines about barrel lengths, so I'm not making any claims about what will be offered yet.

Please, let's not jump to any wild conclusions about any of this barrel length thing.

Quoted: TWL, if AA has no stipulations against 6.5G SBRs, would you be "open" to doing them? Actually, having brought up SBRs, I should say I'm in the camp that says a 16" is about the perfect general-purpose combat barrel length. And then there's the practical matter of no-hassle civilian purchasing. . . . John

John,
I'm open to any barrel length considerations.
All I'm concerned about here is not sticking my foot into my mouth, before I have all the information that may pertain to the situation.

Quoted: Tom...will you be at SHOT? Simon

Simon,
Yes, I'll be at SHOT with MGI, and all our latest gear.
See you there!




Bolster,
I can provide some guidelines for any ejection port mods that may be needed, and still allow the ejection port door to function correctly.

Quoted: Regarding ejection port mods, I remember reading an interview of Bill Alexander (I think in Shooting Illlustrated) and the ejection port was, indeed, enlarged by some ridiculously small amount (at least, as it seemed to me, and I can't remember the dimension). Anyway, does anyone know if Colt enlarged the port on their 7.62x39 versions? Since it's the base case for the Grendel, that might be instructive. John

The ejection port mod for theese 7.62x39-based cartridges is quite small, and easy to do.
Marty at TeppoJutsu, and some of our customers have enlarged the ports big enough to eject 458 SOCOM cases, and still retain the function of the port door.