Trying to decide on which one of these I want to pick up as my next toy. A N4 Light Recce Low-Profile 16" or KAC Sr15. I have looked up reviews on both and the look very comparable. Any comments? pros cons? experience?
I own two Noveske Recce low pros and I also have one of the KAC SR15s. You really can’t go wrong with either. If I had to choose, I would slightly prefer the KAC since there’s not as much special about the Noveske other than the barrel.
Noveske
-More accurate than the KAC (not by a lot though)
-Standard/more affordable parts in case you ever have issues
-Lifetime warranty unlike the KAC 1 year (not sure why KAC doesn’t offer the same)
KAC
-BCG is supposed to last considerably longer
-I easily prefer the URX over the SWS rail on the Noveske
-I like the Sopmod more than the Vltor
-The KAC 2 stage trigger is much nicer than the Noveske standard trigger
-KAC manufacturers many of their own parts (including the Sopmod) whereas Noveske outsources everything but the barrel
That’s a tough decision…when I was faced with the same tough choice, I ended up getting both…If I had to decide between the 2, I would more than likely pick the KAC purely based on all the intergrated features within the rifle. The KAC also in surprisingly a very light rifle compared to my Noveske with the SWS rail is that may factor into your decision.
BTT. Anybody have any suggestions or has anybody tried testing these out side by side at the range?
How much does the recce/sr15 weigh?
My vote is for the kac. Lighter and almost all built in house. I love mine, it is truly an ambi gun which just makes things easier and faster.
My SR-15 SOPMOD stock is marked “LMT” like every other SOPMOD stock I’ve ever seen. Does KAC really make them? 
Yes they do.
As Jeep said the only thing “special” about the Noveske is the barrel, and both the KAC and Noveske have fammer forged barrels.
I think the URX is a much better rail system than the SWS/Noveske. Integrated front sight, removable bottom rail, etc.
KAC comes with a nice 2 stage trigger. Noveske comes with standard mil spec type stuff.
Noveske BCG is below BCM standard whereas KAC is arguably a step up.
KAC gas system is going to be slightly smoother due to additional length.
Rear BUIS is Troy Vs. KAC 600M. I prefer the KAC 600M as do quite a few people who have used both.
Lower is one of a kind on the KAC. Noveske just has a cool roll mark.
KAC although the other would not be a bad choice
You can’t go wrong with either, but given a choice i prefer the standard mil-spec parts vs some of the proprietary parts on the KAC. If your splitting hairs i guess you could say the Noveske barrel would go a little longer because its chrome lining is about twice as thick as the KAC’s . I prefer the SOPMOD stock but i think the Emod was the only one to pass the IAR drop tests. The KAC has a nice rail but it is a little wider than i like. Also i don’t use ambi controls on my rifles and according to the article " Daniel Defense M4 " in the latest Guns & Ammo Book of the AR-15 neither does Larry Vickers, and i’ll take his word on it. For his reasoning behind that, read the article. For me the only thing i would add to either rifle would be a KAC Triple Tap Comp . I really don’t think one is head and shoulders above the other or one will save your ass any better than the other one will. IMHO take your pick its just personal preferance.
What makes you say that? Any tests to back this up?
KAC will replace a broken bolt. KAC has said as much.
With all do respect to Larry Vickers I tend to take people like him, and their advice on products with a grain of salt because they are getting paid to push products. You don’t have to use the ambi controls at all. The pattern is still the same for the “standard” parts. You could even sell the lower, and get a standard KAC lower to keep everything one brand.
I also have to wonder if a standard bolt will work in a pinch. I put a Colt BCG in my SR15, and it cycled just fine. Did not fire it, and wont that way but it would be interesting to see what would happen. Maybe someone from KAC can chime in if they ever tested this.
I’d personally go for the Noveske low profile w/ MUR upper.
Technically, Noveske doesn’t make their barrels. FN does.
Not that I have ever heard. LMT has the rights to the SOPMOD.
ETA–I stand corrected from post below me.
Belmot and Jeep are correct, KAC is making their own sopmods under LMT license. Heard it right from 3 himself. Kinda cool.
My .2, KAC, they set the current standard.
-T
Between the two…KAC.
You mean the N4 barrel blanks?
I chose to go with Noveske since the parts are fairly standardized, including the BCG. There are thousands of BCGs I could use with my Noveske within an easy drive of my house. The KAC BCG is proprietary, and if yours breaks during a time of crisis you will not find a replacement easily. Otherwise, if you are not considering your AR for a survival weapon, this point is moot. I don’t want to own too many rifles so went with the most flexible system for repair issues.
Also, for what its worth, both Costa and Haley have shot my Noveske/Magpul limited RECCE and liked it very much. They both said there would be no point in buying a KAC of the same length. I was on the verge of buying a KAC before they told me that.
In a Noveske barrel thread posted here back in 2-13-08, a question about the longevity of the Noveske N4 CHF chrome lined barrels was asked to Grant of G&R Tactical . His reply was, probably between 60,000-80,000 rounds, I think. And to put that into perspective dollar wise back then, it was about $28,000 worth of ammo.
From Noveske’s web sight: Made of Mil Spec M249 Machine Gun barrel steel, with heavy M249 Chrome Lining, (appx. 2 times as thick as an M4 or M16)
With all do respect to Larry Vickers I tend to take people like him, and their advice on products with a grain of salt because they are getting paid to push products. You don’t have to use the ambi controls at all. The pattern is still the same for the “standard” parts. You could even sell the lower, and get a standard KAC lower to keep everything one brand.
I’ve heard him say the same thing, but I believe he was referring to muscle memory and having to use another unit’s AR platform or battlefield pickup, which won’t have the ambi controls. Combat practicality/necessity VS a modded niche. In the heat of a fire fight, you may get smoked, if you have to fumble with the fire controls of your weapon system. The same can be said for the BAD lever, left side ejecting ARs or RediMags, as well.
You are sorely mistaken about LAV. He is a straight shooter. Period. Yes, he gets paid from various companies for his opinion, designs and endorsements, but that doesn’t mean that he wont shoot straight with you on a competitors product. He also would never represent a company just for money if he didn’t believe in their product, company and service to the customer.
There are very few people who know weapons of ALL kinds like LAV. He can teach you about a STG44, K98, AK’s, 1911’s, or any other platform made. Not only can he tell you about them, he can break down the operating system and hand you a blue print…
Don’t judge a book by its cover, spend some time with him and you will see what I mean…