Saw this on the Noveske website last week, ordered one and one week later its in my hands.
Let me tell you, this is one fine weapon. The fit of the componants are the best I’ve seen from Noveske. The finish is smooth and appears durable. Came properly lubed and ready for the range.
Attached my EoTech XPS-2 and BCM handle (personal preference) and off we went.
After a few mags of M855/SS109 5.56 and PMC 55gr .223 later, I have a couple observations:
Smooth trigger with crisp break.
Firm kick with the green tip M855 rounds.
Heats up fast with the Troy rail - have your gloves ready.
Just an all around awesome weapon. Well worth the premium price IMHO.
I know that this is a light weapon relatively speaking, and I’m sure weight saving was in mind when the gun was configured. I’m just curious as to whether they could have made an even lighter gun if they used a more conventional upper rather than the VLTOR MUR. Maybe use a A2 pistol grip and standard M4 stock.
I think most people would agree balance is the more important factor, and I don’t think those changes would have been worth the switch. Clint Smith has been around weapons for a little while, I’m sure he could have gone lighter had there been a need.
Congrats on the new gun! I think this is one of the best configurations out there.
I went back and looked at some old pictures and the Vltor website. Vltor says the non-forward-assist upper is “under 8 oz.” and a standard M4 upper with FA weighs 8.6 oz. with dustcover installed by my scale. There is a Les Baer M4 upper with no FA that weights 7.5 oz. so if the Vltor site is correct then they are all in the same ballpark.
I also applaud the use of the non-FA upper as I think it’s a useless part and can be skipped.
My reservations about the MUR are twofold:
[ol]
[li]cost:benefits. I’m not sure what the MUR brings to the table in this overall rifle configuration at the ~$100 premium. I’m interested in learning more about it and the inclusion here.
[/li][li]parts compatibility. While not a concern for everyone, I’m not sure if the MUR is BAD-compatible, or if there are other parts that may have compatibility issues. I’d be interested to hear from those that have these uppers if there are such issues.
[/li][/ol]
Overall though I think this rifle is a great configuration, and you get the FFL lower which has some great features I look forward to trying out myself. and the fact that the FFL precludes the installation of a Redimag/Redimod means the potential issue with the BAD is reduced as there is less need for it.
Top this rifle with a T-1 or Compact ACOG and I think it’s a great configuration. add the light of your choice and you’re really well equipped at very light overall weight which reduces long-term fatigue and improved handiness.
The VLTOR MUR-1A with fwd assist is 10 oz. The MUR-1s (no fwd assist) is 8.4 oz. Just weighed both of these recently on two different scales.
Additionally:
Les Baer upper, no fwd assist or port cover: 6.9 oz
DD stripped upper: 7.1 oz
BCM upper, complete: 8.0 oz
Rainier Arms billet upper w/fwd assist: 9.3 oz.
You could always pull the FA parts out and plug the hole with one of these (Schuster Forward Assist Plug Delrin AR-15) to reduce the weight a little, but if i was shooting suppressed much at all or without using a Noveske switchblock , i would keep the FA intact. Weight is weight but the further back on the rifle the less noticeable and fatiguing it will be.