SR-25 EM Carbine History

[QuietShootr]

Great information. I'm interested to know if you can expound on some of the upgrades that were made to increase hard-use reliability.

[caporider]

I was remiss in my earlier post for not thanking Kevin for the great info and photos of the EMC. So thank you!

One particular point that Kevin brings up is interesting to me: going from a building (presumably CQB/close-in fighting) to breaking a 400-500 yard shot outside.

This scenario presupposes the existence of a rifle system that is suitable for both CQB and the accurate, effective distance shot. It sounds like a 5.56 gun, while very effective in the CQB role, is marginally effective at a distance. And traditional .308 rifles, while very effective at a distance, are marginal for close-in, extended-fire situations (e.g. NSRs).

I have been shooting my EMC for awhile now, and overall have found the rifle very manageable with my go-to factory loads, which are Hornady 168gr TAP Amax. Follow-on shots, NSRs, and the like are fairly easy to do, provided you're driving the gun aggressively and your stance and positioning are set up to mitigate what recoil is present. Of course, at 13lbs loaded (20rd Magpul mag, Elcan Specter DR, Surefire Scout light, VTAC sling), the EMC is not a lightweight anything, but the weight is in the same ballpark as a loaded M4 and requires about the same level of upper body and core strength.

So to the question at hand: are we seeing the emergence of a true do-all rifle that combines reasonable compactness and controllability for close-in work with the caliber and bullet selection for true gut-punching takedowns five, or even six, football fields away?

I have to admit, I'm mightily tempted to use my EMC in just this manner. And I'm picking up Internet chatter (FWIW) that SOCOM is fielding the Mk17 in larger-than-expected numbers because warfighters are hungry for the extra punch and barrier penetration characteristics of 7.62, as well as the long shot capability that comes with the bigger round.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that .308 practice ammo is $0.39/round, vs $1/round for 6.8 or any of the alternative AR15 calibers that provide more punch than 5.56.

[QuietShootr]

So to the question at hand: are we seeing the emergence of a true do-all rifle that combines reasonable compactness and controllability for close-in work with the caliber and bullet selection for true gut-punching takedowns five, or even six, football fields away?

I have to admit, I'm mightily tempted to use my EMC in just this manner..

This is just my plan for my LMT. If I get it worked out to the point that I trust it, it will likely become my main go-to gun, and I'll get more of them.

[Trajan]

If you can disclose this information, what groups are going to be using this weapon system?

[GAST]

Fantastic read and a cool bit of history. Thank you. It's on my list of must-haves, but for now my SR15 will have to do (and it does very well ).

[ARKAR]

Kevin, thank you for the great info in this post. I LOVE reading about KAC guns!!

ARKAR

[SteveL]

Nice write-up. Thanks for posting it.

[Pete2s]

What we ended up with was in our opinion the finest 16" 7.62mm gas gun on the planet.

The finest...that could be a pretty good gun!

I'd like to hear how you tweaked the gas system, recoil system and bolt carrier. Did you maintain parts compatibility with AR-15s?

[nickdrak]

Well, I can still dream cant I???

[Scrounger]

Very nice...love the pictures. I think I missed it, who is making the new 1.1-8 scope? Can't really tell from the picture? Also, what is the preferred practice ammo and what kind of groups are you getting with it? Match ammo is not cheap. Thanks for the info.