I’m saving up for a KAC KS3 when they come out later this year.
I really want those rounded lugs.
I’m a Noveske guy.
A KS3 upper will be 2x the cost of a Gen 4 N4 upper.
The KAC will make me very happy.
What should I do???
Eh, if it makes you happy then go for it. YOLO. Once you get it report back here how awesome it is so I can be jealous 
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I personally would never buy their proprietary stuff. But Pappabear, here, has a bunch of KAC’s stuff, and it’s been solid.
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Noveske pricing has grown obscene, and they are not breaking new ground on anything I can see. That doesn’t mean they aren’t good, but they haven’t worked on actually improving the system.
KAC has worked on improving the system, and whether you want or need those improvements or not, they are present regardless. That is why KAC costs more.
Regarding the KS3 coming out later this year, versus you being able to lay hands one without the price tag being horribly inflated, that is a different question. I think there will be a lot of scalping going on.
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KAC makes good stuff, but their fan base is irrationally lustful over their products.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either one.
I have an SR15 and it has been a solid carbine. It was purchased before things really jumped in price.
Accuracy, reliability, weight, and the intermediate gas system are my reasons for making the purchase. The improved BCG system and ambi controls are a bonus.
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It’s the proprietary parts that keep me away, or I’d already have one.
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Why would you need parts? It’s not like mine has ever let me down.
Sure, get a reasonable field repair kit to stash in your gun parts drawer, but don’t expect to need them anytime soon.
My SR-15 is by far the best AR-15 platform I have ever used. The KS-3 will be my next SBR if I can find one that isn’t scalped in price.
One year later….did you get it?
I wish! Not available!
Oh well, I was hoping to get a cool range report 
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Just bought a KS-3 rifle and the 2 new 2026 KAC cans. Ooof. Managed to stay away from any KAC stuff for decades until now. Quickly reminded why.
The stuff is still in jail - visited it yesterday. Should have it all in a few weeks.
Definitely not used to the heavier bomb-proof stuff.
Been running crazy lightweight, soft-shooting V7 type builds with custom gas tuning (still dead reliable) for so long now it’s going to be weird shooting a big-boy military rifle.
Got a new NX6 1-6 for it.
Any range reports or other KAC guys here?
What did you end up doing OP?
I decided not to pursue a KS3 at the moment.
No KS3 but I have a 16” SR-15 E3.
If I had to get rid of all but one M4 type carbine I own the KAC would be the only one left. Not even close and I have a nice DD and a Colt M4A1 SOCOM II, the KAC is just more refined, lighter, and just as accurate where practical field use is concerned despite the lighter weight barrel.
They’ve all been 100% reliable though. So no reliability advantage that I can see but I regularly clean and lubricate any rifle I am going to use.
If I could make any change to it it would be a 14.5” barrel but that is given the current $0 tax stamp and fast trust or individual NFA approval environment.
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