M4 peeps, I have decided to start looking into KAC rifles. I have several AR’s but have not yet added a Knights.
I am looking for feedback and/or guidance on what rifle is ideal for me. I am looking for an all around rifle to run through training classes. I see the Mod2 is what is on the website, but have also seen Mod1’s in used forums etc…
Can anyone school a KAC newbie on what makes one model superior to the other, and what your own personal thoughts are on what to buy.
Pretty vague but do enjoy reading and learning about this kind of stuff!
I know the knight “fan boys” really have a thing for the old school stuff. It’s like some obsession with stuff they no longer produce. The mod 2 has some really cool features that pertain to the gas system. The thing that makes an sr15 so good is the E2 bolt and the mod 2 gas system. The way the gas block is held on along with the way the gas tube is secured is so unique, there is nothing else like it.
For an all around I would just go with either a 16" or 14.5" SR15 E3 Mod2 (youll probably want M-Lok I take it) As stated above, they feature a lot of uniqueness that separate them from being “just another AR”…especially with the bolt, etc. If you want the most up to date, best version - obviously go with the newest model. Guys only buy the older shit to collect.
Once you get it, you’ll probably get hooked and buy another one down the kine anyway lol…then soon it’ll develop into an obsession in which case you start hunting down classic and rare Kac parts and whatnot. My first kac was a Mod 2…then I got an SBR mod 2, then I got a mod 1 Sr15 14.5", and also a mod 1 Sr16 cqb upper…I recently stepped up and got my first SR25 not long ago. Add to the fact that I have a mountain of kac accessories on top of it all.
I guess my point is, whichever one you DONT get, dont worry - you’ll eventually get it not far sown the road.
Imo both mod 1 and mod 2 look badass and you cant go wrong with either:
With each evolution of the SR15 KAC made incremental improvements over the previous model. The most noticeable feature are the types of rails used in each stage of its evolution. Early Block I and II saw the use of a variety of quad rails, some with integrated front sights or front sight gas blocks.
The Mod 1 is arguably the most significant “evolutionary leap” for KAC carbines and rifles. The Mod 1 introduced the full ambidextrous lower receiver as well as integrated QD sockets (now discontinued), as well as the superior E3 bolt design, and the URX 3 and 3.1 lightened quad rails, which basically eliminated excess weight and unnecessary rail real estate. The Mod 1 also saw the introduction of the KAC recoil reduction system, incorporating a proprietary “intermediate-length” gas system that is unique to 14.5" and 16" KAC carbines. The Mod 1 line up also introduced the SR30 series rifles/carbines, and ball milled barrels were featured in select models for both the SR15 and SR25 line for further weight reduction.
The Mod 2 introduced an innovative “leak proof” gas system by using an unconventional method of securing the gas tube to the gas block. The Mod 2 also ushered in a new era of lightweight rails, the URX4, in both Keymod and MLOK configurations.
At least that’s how I remember it. I’m sure a KAC rep will step in sooner or later and present all the real facts. The bottom line is, if you’re not into cloning or collecting, it’s really not worth paying premium for discontinued KAC parts or complete guns. Although KAC does intend to do limited run “Vault” releases annually for the die hard collectors and fans. If your intent is to train and shoot the piss out of it, go with the latest and greatest (Mod 2) that’s readily available, and don’t look back.
I know I am opening up a huge can of worms here… I recently picked up a BCM Jack (got it priced right). Love that thing… Honestly, would the Mod 2 be a huge step up from that rife? <– I know this is a totally subjective question, am curious to hear some opinions though!
To the OP, if you are seriously thinking about it, rest assured an SR-15 is always a good purchase. You won’t be sorry. I’d go with Mod 2. KAC is not a stagnant company, they are always improving, testing, ect, so their latest model is what I’d be looking for.
I’m still shooting this “early” aka “legacy” every now and then. It has never malfunctioned (in any way shape or form) despite thousands of dollars of ammo through the pipe. Smooth, reliable, and accurate.
Get yourself a Mod 2 & drive on. Probably the best AR you can get. They are well worth the $$$ & hold their value. I picked up a Bronze Mod 2 in Key Mod last year & I absolutely love it. Ignore all the “proprietary” bullshit, because that’s all it is. KAC makes the best gun out there.
I purchased my first KAC this year after saving for a while to get it. It is a very well engineered machine, and is an absolutely amazing rifle to shoot. There is not a better AR style rifle out there today, and you will not be disappointed.
I have a Jack and I have rifles that when you look at the components are basically Jack carbines.
That’s the key difference; you can make a Jack yourself. You can’t make a KAC Mod2 yourself.
Along these lines, I have a KAC stripped lower and have been planning to build it with the A5, SSA, Sionics LPK. Would you guys recommend building the lower as planned and picking up a 16" Mod 2 upper or buying a complete rifle? Thanks
BCM makes a high quality gun. It will run more ammo than you can afford. The KAC has a longer gas Sytem, smoother impulse. It has a great trigger, full ambi…the KAC has many features the Jack does not. Doesn’t make the Jack bad, but for what you get the KAC is very fairly priced IMHO.
I have a Mod2 on order. The more I think about it the less I like the gas system. My unfounded concerns are that the hex nut holding the gas tube in can work loose and i can’t remove the rail myself to service it. Well I could with the addition of a bunch of proprietary tools.
The feeling of not being able to wrench my own stuff annoys me a bit.
Call Knights up and ask how many gas tube screws have come loose. If it has happened, I bet they’ve heard about it. If it had happened, it’d most likely be known by at least one of the guys posting in this, or other KAC-related threads, but call them anyway.
