Last year was a good year for firearms sales, as the start of 2016 demonstrates. While there are countless new and interesting items hitting the market, here we’ll limit our focus to rifles.
- RELATED STORY: The 5 Best AR Megapistols From COMBAT HANDGUNS in 2015
- RELATED STORY: Megapistols: 7 Big Firearms in Small Packages
Without further ado, here are some of the most interesting rifles hitting the market in early 2016.
2A Armament BLR-16
2A Armament has added a new rifle to its offerings. The BLR-16 is a lightweight rifle that is designed to combine all of the company’s most popular products into one rifle. It is composed of 2A’s popular BALIOS-Lite receiver set combined with every titanium component 2A manufactures. Some of the specific components are a BL-RAIL, which uses a tension-lock design for attachment, a 6AL-4V titanium barrel nut, a titanium gas block, titanium takedown pins and a titanium T3 Compensator. Finished off with quality market components, the result is a lightweight and great-looking rifle. (2a-arms.com; 208-344-5465)
AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556
The AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T556 has been getting a great deal of attention. It is a fully ambidextrous rifle—all of the controls are present on both sides of the receiver—including AXTS’ new Talon 45/90 ambidextrous safety selector and nickel-boron-coated Raptor charging handle. Attention to detail is SOP with AXTS, as each upper and lower are perfectly matched. Each barrel is cut from a Shilen 416R blank with a custom profile, a .223 Wylde chamber and a 1-in-8-inch twist rate. Other features include an M-LOK handguard, a SilencerCo Saker Trifecta muzzle break or flash suppressor, and a Cerakote finish. (axtsweapons.com; 503-893-2987)
AXTS Weapons Systems MI-T300
Following the success of its 5.56mm rifle, AXTS immediately jumped into a new design. This one would take the pure ambidextrous nature of the MI-T556 and build it around the 300 Blackout. Designed as an SBR with an 8.5-inch barrel, the MI-T300 maintains the same level of precision as its 5.56mm brother. This rifle also incorporates a new charging handle design that minimizes gas blowback on suppressed weapons. To top it all off, AXTS has partnered with SilencerCo to manufacture a short suppressor dedicated to the 300 Blackout round. (axtsweapons.com; 503-893-2987)
Bula Defense XM21
The Bula Defense XM21 is a fresh look at a classic rifle. The soul of the XM21 is the inconic M1A, but Bula has assembled a lighter and more accurate rendition. It is composed of the Bula Defense forged XM21 flattop receiver with an integrated Picatinny rail. The chassis is a precision-machined M14ALCS Enhanced Battle Rifle Chassis from Sage International. The barrel is 16.5 inches long with a 1-in-10-inch twist rate. Overall, the gun is 39 inches long and weighs in at 11.5 pounds unloaded. (buladefense.com; 216-252-7600)
Century Arms C39v2
The C39v2 is 100-percent American made with no imported parts. It’s built on a milled receiver machined from a solid 11-pound block of 4140 ordnance-grade steel. Enhancements include a T-shaped magazine catch, compatibility with AKM furniture, a bolt-hold-open safety, an enhanced dust cover and standard AK sights. The C39v2 is coated with black nitride and uses a new enhanced trigger group. The C39v2’s barrel has concentric 14×1 LH threading and is ready for a variety of muzzle attachments. (centuryarms.com; 800-527-1252)
CMMG Mk47 AKS13
CMMG’s 7.62x39mm Mk47 AKS13 is the newest Mk47 variant, and it features the company’s new Krink muzzle device pinned and welded to a 13-inch barrel to meet the 16-inch legal requirement. Additionally, it features a pinned gas block for improved reliability. The Mk47 AKS13 features CMMG’s mid-sized receiver based on the Mk3 platform, which is carved from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum. It also features an improved 15-inch handguard. The unique Mk47 lower receiver readily accepts all standard AK magazines. Every rifle comes equipped with Magpul furniture, a 30-round PMAG and CMMG’s lifetime quality guarantee. (cmmginc.com; 660-248-2293)
Daniel Defense DDM4 ISR
The DDM4 ISR is an integrally suppressed rifle optimized for the versatile 300 Blackout cartridge. The rifle is built around a 9-inch, cold-hammer-forged barrel with a pistol-length gas system calibrated for its integral suppressor. This high-performance rifle delivers both subsonic and supersonic projectiles with greatly reduced muzzle blast and flash, helping to conceal a shooter’s location and keep the user on target with faster follow-up shots and less degradation of vision, particularly in low-light situations. The DDM4 ISR’s integral suppressor extends the barrel to the NFA-required 16-inch length, so this platform is not classified as an SBR and only requires one tax stamp for the suppressor. (danieldefense.com; 866-554-4867)
Dark Storm Industries DS-9 Typhoon
The DS-9 Typhoon is one of several new rifles focusing on running the 9mm round. In contrast to some, however, the DS-9 is a dedicated rifle complete with a 9mm mag well. The upper is forged with a forward assist and an ejection port cover. The matching lower is made from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum. The gun also comes with an ambidextrous safety, a 12-inch KeyMod handguard and a Magpul CTR stock. With an eye on ease of use, Dark Storm Industries has designed the rifle to run on standard Glock magazines, making it easy on the owner to get magazines. (dark-storm.com; 800-963-7700)
Desert Design & Development D3-9SD
The D3-9SD combines the familiarity of the AR platform and the stealth of the suppressed HK MP5SD while utilizing popular 9mm Glock double-stack pistol magazines. The rifle is integrally suppressed and is designed to provide a lightweight suppressed SBR without the cost of some of its European cousins. Depending on the stock option, the D3-9SD’s overall length can be as small as 23 inches. It also includes an enhanced bolt carrier as well as a standard semi-auto fire control group. (d3llc.com)
Desert Tech MDR
While it has been brewing in the background for some time, Desert Tech has completed the MDR. According to Desert Teach, “Its compact size and superior ergonomics maximize its portability without sacrificing speed, power or precision. The MDR allows mission-specific adaptability by changing the rifle’s length, sound signature and/or caliber. Its fully ambidextrous design allows seamless shoulder transitions. The MDR delivers advanced firepower for the future patriot.” The rifle is impressive in both design and capacity. It is a compact package at only 26 inches and a light 7.3 pounds. Desert Tech plans on releasing the MDR in 7.62mm NATO, 5.56mm NATO as well as the popular 300 Blackout. (deserttech.com; 801-975-7272)
DEZ Tactical USAR10-20
The USAR10-20 is meant for those serious about long-range shooting. Built with a 20-inch, fluted barrel, the rifle is designed for those who take shots at over 1,000 yards. The rifle comes with several options, including a 416R stainless steel or 4150 chrome-moly-vanadium, nitride-coated barrel. DEZ also offers the choice of a 15-inch KeyMod handguard and Magpul MOE fixed rifle stock, or a 12-inch Keymod handguard and a Luth-AR stock. Both variations feature a seamless top Picatinny rail, making this rifle ready for any optic you wish to use. Finally, an Ergo deluxe pistol grip and HiperFire HiperTouch 24E trigger system make this a superb semi-automatic sniper system. (deztacticalarms.com; (608-547-9034)
Fort Discovery Expedition
The 5.56mm Expedition rifle is custom-machined from 7000 series aircraft-grade billet aluminum and tumbled after machining to ensure a smooth finish. The rifle features a cold-hammer-forged, 16-inch, chrome-lined, heavy barrel with M4 feed ramps and a 1-in-7-inch twist rate. An ergonomically designed mag release allows for easier use while wearing gloves. A custom mag well with four grit grooves was designed for optimal reloading. Finally, the rifle is finished with Magpul furniture. (fortdiscoveryusa.com; 877-876-4750)
IWI Tavor SAR 300 BLK
Known for its unique Tavor design, IWI has added a new flavor to the mix. This year IWI has released the Tavor SAR chambered for the 300 Blackout cartridge. Through some brilliant designing, the new SAR is essentially a caliber conversion of the 5.56mm variant. With that, it maintains parts interchangeability with the rest of the SAR rifles. It is available with a 16.5- or 18-inch barrel with an adjustable gas regulator built into the barrel assembly. (iwi.us; 717-695-2081)
JP Enterprises Ultralight JP-15
JP Enterprises has long been known to produce straight-shooting rifles. This year the company has releases its new Ultralight JP-15. Weighing only 5.6 pounds, the rifle includes several components that JPE is well known for, including a 14.5-inch JP Ultralight Supermatch barrel with a pinned and welded titanium compensator, a JP Rapid Configuration handguard, a JP Ultra LMOS bolt carrier group with a JP Enhanced Bolt and a JP Silent Captured Spring System. Overall, it is a fantastic lightweight fighter that should suit shooters well. (jprifles.com; 651-426-9196)
Phase 5 P5T15
This rifle is sleek and features a 16-inch, chrome-lined barrel with a 1-in-8-inch twist rate. The upper receiver is matched to a 15-inch Lo-Pro Slope Nose Quad Rail with True Fit Technology for a positive fit and changeable modularity. It has a Mission First Tactical Battlelink Utility Stock and MFT Engage Pistol Grip as well as a set of ARMS 71L flip-up sights. This rifle comes complete with M4 feed ramps, an M16 bolt carrier group and an ambidextrous Battle Latch charging handle. (phase5wsi.com)
POF-USA Renegade
Patriot Ordnance Factory, or POF-USA, is now offering a new direct-impingement gun called the Renegade. One of the unique features of the rifle is a heat-sink barrel nut that dissipates heat quicker than any system on the market. The rifle also sports POF-USA’s patented E2 dual extraction technology for optimum reliability. The Dictator nine-position-adjustable gas block, at the end of a straight gas tube, let’s you tune this rifle to be as smooth and flat-shooting as possible, no matter the ammo load out. Surrounding the gas system and 16.5-inch, nitride-heat-treated barrel is a 15-inch Renegade M-LOK rail. (pof-usa.com; 877-561-9572)
SMI AK Storm
The 7.62x39mm AK Storm is SMI Arms’ tactical, 922r-compliant version of the classic AK-47. SMI Arms, a division of Signature Manufacturing, has done a great job in maintaining the soul of this classic gun. The Storm is built from a Polish parts kit but utilizes Magpul’s MOE AK grip and Zhukov stock for a modernized offering. Each gun is built one at a time, which ensures that you are receiving a gun with solid riveting; clean, straight sights; a smooth action; a tuned and polished trigger; and a solid, no-wobble magazine fit. (smiarms.com; 800-398-9087)
Trojan Firearms MVP2
The Trojan Firearms MPV2 is a 5.56mm, direct-impingement rifle built to exacting standards. Trojan considers this to be the premium model of its rifle line. The MVP2 is available in a variety of configurations, and customers can choose their KeyMod handguard length and style as well as the barrel length and style. Standard features include Trojan’s single-stage trigger, a side-pull charging handle and a “Grater” muzzle brake. (trojanfirearms.com; 602-888-4357)
Windham Weaponry RCMS-4
New from Windham Weaponry this year is the RCMS-4, a complete multi-caliber system that allows the owner the option of using one basic platform to run 7.62x39mm, 5.56mm, 300 BLK and 9mm ammo just by switching out the barrel assembly, bolt, magazine and magazine well. The kit includes everything the shooters needs to covert the rifle to their chosen configuration. For those who cannot decide on which caliber to choose, this new offering will certainly solve that dilemma. (windhamweaponry.com; 855-808-1888)
Discussion about this post