Just got a second Noveske. A new (December, 2014 build) Gen III Recon. I’ve noticed a few changes compared to my other Gen III that was built in April, 2014. I am NOT complaining about these changes. I am merely noting them.
New roll marks on upper receiver and hand guard:
Lower now has a tensioning screw, like Mega and Rainier Arms:
And the picatinny rail’s edges are now scalloped for some reason…
OLD:
NEW:
Interesting stuff. I don’t know how I feel about the scalloping. Is the NSR scalloped like that? Don’t care for the Noveske on the upper. SIG also does a tensioning screw like that.
Thanks for sharing. Full photos?
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The scalloping is seen on DD rails too. I like it. It also shaves some weight I imagine
Yeah, I’ve seen the scalloping before. It’s probably to shave weight like said above. I really like how the upper receivers are the same profile as the NSR’s. Nice touch.
Yes, the NSR is also scalloped on the new rifle. It is not on the older one.
At this time I do not have a full photo of the new rifle. But from a distance it looks exactly like my other one (except for the scope and different barrel—my new one is stainless, other one is CHF):
I’m no expert, but I doubt it reduces weight in any appreciable amount. I’d guess MAYBE… 25-50 grams at most? It’s not a lot of material.
Yeah, that’s part of why I went with Noveske. Yes, it’s a gun and a tool. But I have an appreciation for good design and I like how the hand guard’s profile blends nicely into the receiver. That’s also why I dislike the new NOVESKE type on the upper. It’s too big and quite gaudy.
This is the last part I’m looking for, a Noveske GenIII Upper Receiver but the first models without all the roll marks, I already have a 16.7" NSR and nothing else will fit it better then this. My second option was a Mega. Just found out they do not sell just the upper so I may just have to buy a complete and use the parts on another one.
Im not saying much at all. But you know these ounce counters we have here. I can’t imagine what benefit it would create other than weight because it would increase machining time I’m sure. It looks nicer than a straight line too I guess.
Yeah, it does look nicer. Not sure why Noveske chose to make the change though. As you say, it probably increases machine time and labor. Same with the tension screw.
Because the details count and we pay top dollar for parts with thought, detail and aesthetics.
Because the laser engraved “Noveske” on the right side of the upper is not enough to identify mfg?
IMO,As far as the tension screw, the lower receiver machining specifications can be a bit more liberal & any slop can be taken up with the screw.
In either case, I’m not a fan of the changes.
The scalloping isn’t for weight reduction. It makes the rail much more comfortable to hold. A couple of my NSRs have pic rails on top that are like razor blades they’re so sharp. Scalloping takes care of this. I’m sure Noveske added it to the upper receiver purely to match the way it looks on the NSR.
I’m not a fan of those tensioning gizmos. I take them out/don’t install them if I have a lower with that feature.
That’s a nice looking gun though.
I like the new roll marks. They may be a little beyond subtle but they are not overboard. At least they are not factory paint-filled.
I currently have a gen 1 factory built 14.5" and a self-built 16" SS gen 2. I’d love to add one of the gen 3 models to the stable but don’t see a need for another rifle in the near future as these two currently fill my needs.
They are beautiful rifles though.
Tapatalk’d
Yes, with the tension screw, tolerances can be sloppier. The gap between the upper and lower on this rifle is much larger than my other one. The screw is a band-aid fix in my opinion and lets them get away with looser fitting receivers. Not a big deal at the end of the day—there is no wobble or rattle or anything (because of the screw). But it’s weird to me Noveske would choose to do this. Easier to manufacture? Quicker? Less labor? I don’t know. I doubt it was customer demand. Because with tight fitting receivers, there shouldn’t be a need for a tensioning screw in the first place. But maybe over time and with wear on the mating surfaces, the receivers loosen up? Again, I’m just guessing. And I’m not complaining. I’m ok with it I guess. The rifle works. 
Most likely it is so the lower receiver can accept a wide variety of uppers rather than being custom fit to a single lower. With that, My Noveske MUR and Gen2 lower fit pretty snug when together, but require very little effort to disassemble. And they were both purchased separately as components. Maybe I just got lucky.
Makes sense. Just seems like a step backward in the fit/finish department to me. But if it works, it works.
Pic links are broken for me.
Work for me… They aren’t broken as far as I can tell.
I built a Gen I Afghan with a 13.5" NSR and I’m in the process of completing 2 other Gen II’s.
The first Gen II has an 11" NSR on an 8.5" barrel and a KX-5 burried in the hand guard. (Barrel on the way)
The second Gen II is an 18" for 3 Gun and I’ve been looking for a 16.7" NSR for nearly a year without success.
Anybody know where I can pick up a 16.7" NSR?
Go to Noveske’s website. Click on the dealer link. Start at A, and work your way to Z. Give 'em all a call and ask if they have any in stock.