Opinions on the Gen2 AR57 uppers?

[Orion8472]

What is your general thoughts on something like the Gen2 AR57 upper?

I thought about how interesting it would be to have something that holds 50 rounds [FNH magazines], yet not weigh a bunch. Of course, the price of 5.7x28 rounds would make it an expensive weapon to enjoy.

Anyway, impressions?

 

[mooner]

No direct knowledge, but if you want more rounds a Surefire 60 round mag for a regular 5.56 AR would be my choice over the 5.7x28. Magpul 40 rounds mags get you closer to 50 on the cheap.

I am not mentioning the various drum magazines on purpose as I think they are silly (even though I guess I just did).

 

[Orion8472]

Yeah, the drum mags are quite silly.

Thanks for your input.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Here's my Gen 2 AR-57 SBR.



It's a blast to shoot. Cheaper to run than a 5.56... Unless you know where to get 5.56 for less than $23/50rnds. Almost no recoil to speak of.

Gen 2 uppers revised the mag latch, so one handed mag changes are super easy.

No reliability issues so far.

 

[wally]

What's different with the Gen2?

I have one of the originals, like the PS-90 it uses the magazine from, it would make more sense as an SBR, but in the AR version the magazine is so long it can't really be very short.

Of course, the price of 5.7x28 rounds would make it an expensive weapon to enjoy.

This, at its current cost per round I'd rather shoot something more powerful.

I stocked up on ammo a few years ago when Sportsman's guide was selling the V-Max 40gr for $18/50 -- still was pricey given decent 5.56 could be had for ~$250/1000 back then. Can't see shooting it much after this is gone unless ammo prices come down a good bit.

Lack of recoil makes it a nice round for my wife, but she likes the PS-90 better because is shorter and lighter.

Cheaper to run than a 5.56... Unless you know where to get 5.56 for less than $23/50rnds.

Don't have Academy where you live? Monarch brass runs ~$35/100, steel cased is even cheaper. In quantity Natchez has XM193 for ~$320/1000.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

What's different with the Gen2?

Fluted barrel, new mag latch assembly and folding cocking handle.

 

[wally]

Fluted barrel, new mag latch assembly and folding cocking handle.

Thanks, the fluted barrel is mostly cosmetic but shaving off a few ounces wouldn't hurt if they didn't add it back somewhere else. The folding cocking handle seems worthwhile, never really seen anything wrong with the mag latch.

I'm thinking of making mine into an SBR, would lighten it up and make it not so front heavy, but I believe the barrel is chrome lined which complicates cutting it, I'll have to see if they sell the pistol barrels separately.

 

[justice06rr]

It's a blast to shoot. Cheaper to run than a 5.56... Unless you know where to get 5.56 for less than $23/50rnds. Almost no recoil to speak of.

I don't doubt its a blast to shoot.

But 5.56/223 ammo has been way cheaper than that for a while now. I guess you didn't know that.

Check AimSurplus and PSA

 

[Jackal]

Cheaper to run than a 5.56... Unless you know where to get 5.56 for less than $23/50rnds.

I just ordered 1000rds of Federal AE .223 from Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore online for $336 after shipping. Thats $0.33 cents per round for quality brass cased ammo. Prices on 5.7 usually hover around or over $.50 cents each. Thats a considerable difference in price, especially for a more powerful cartridge.

 

[MistWolf]

Thanks, the fluted barrel is mostly cosmetic but shaving off a few ounces wouldn't hurt if they didn't add it back somewhere else. The folding cocking handle seems worthwhile, never really seen anything wrong with the mag latch.

I'm thinking of making mine into an SBR, would lighten it up and make it not so front heavy, but I believe the barrel is chrome lined which complicates cutting it, I'll have to see if they sell the pistol barrels separately.

Fluting is more than cosmetic and the chrome lining offers no complications at in to cutting down the barrel. The fluting might, however.

I believe the 5.7 loses effectiveness if not shot from a P90. After all, only the P90 is able to penetrate Jaffa armor