Forward Controls URF

[Duffy]

URF stands for Upper Receiver, Forward Controls

It has been covered in other threads, mostly in the Sling Keep and SBCG threads, it deserves its own :P

For the past year or so, we've been looking for a manufacturer that's willing to make couple of ergonomics changes to an upper for us. In my opinion, the forged A3 upper receiver with forward assist is hard to improve on, but there are couple of areas it can use some refinement.

URF is based on a well established, trusted and liked manufacturer's billet upper receiver. I like its angular, SR25ish clean look, it's very much in line with our design philosophy. No extra machining where it does little or nothing to improve anything, everything about this upper indicates functionality dictates its form.

The changes we're making are minor ergonomics improvements that many might not notice or appreciate right away. It will have a tiny laser engraved Cygnus logo on the left side, followed by three letters: URF. No company name, we don't want customers to purchase our hardware and do advertising for us, they didn't sign on for that.

URF may be followed by URSF (slick side) and LRF (lower receiver), if URF does well. It will go in production shortly, ETA is 6 weeks or so. More details will be made public as we approach the release date.

[SpartyME]

Looking forward to pics, pricing, and release info. I’ve got an Overthrow lower that needs an upper

[SINNER]

URFLH

[Pyzik]

Subbing for pics.

[GOST]

Getting Roger to include pics is like telling your kids to clean their room.[:D]

[Duffy]

I can include redacted pics that don't show the changes we made [BD] They'll be posted when we're close to the release date [pop]

[Stone]

Is this forged or billet? So are you going with angular AKA square lines or rounded?

[DekNgo]

[pop]

[Duffy]

It's billet, and has facets and angular surfaces, unlike the standard forged receivers.

[UWone77]

I really don't need this.................. [BD]

[Duffy]

It's based on an upper many people like already, the benefit of basing ours on this upper is that whether folks appreciate the changes we've made or not, the upper is very well made and a quality piece, which this company is known for.

It's also easy to match it up with lowers this manufacturer produces. If we collaborate again on the LRF, it'll also be based on receivers it already produces.

[Stone]

I really don't need this.................. [BD]

Oh contraire, you do. And you better get one for Medic as well, he needs one too... [:D]

[RobertTheTexan]

I just got in touch with my inner self and he said I need one as well. :lol:


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[Duffy]

3 more weeks to go :P

I suspect our friends and supporters would buy the upper if it had no changes but the Cygnus logo on it, badge engineering is the last thing I want to do, even though I do appreciate that some of our customers will buy anything with our name on it [adore] The laser engraved logo is pretty small, so is the available quantity, so they'll be somewhat rare. The timing is a little off though, I'd like to bundle the LDFA with it, alas the latest LDFA is still in production.

LDFA is now in 4130, heat treated with black nitride coating, still CNC machined, no cast or MIM. Our cost did go through the roof, so there will be an increase MSRP. If you'd like to get an LDFA in its current form (17-4 SS, black oxide coated), better hurry, I think our dealers still have them, but we're out.

In the likely event URF becomes available without the latest 4130 LDFA in inventory, we'll offer a code for a discounted LDFA with free shipping for URF customers. Once LDFA is available, it'll be an optional add on for URF, with a discount.

[Stone]

Any sneak peek photos available?

[Duffy]

About a week or two before its release :P

Since we are pretty close to that time, let's reveal how it differs from the billet receiver on which it is based:

1. Relief cuts on the section before rails start for better accessibility of a flip up BUIS's slight stalk / flip up element. This part is subtle enough that majority of folks who saw the prototype pics didn't see the cuts were there, or didn't know what they were for lol.

2. Relief on the top of forward assist housing. This part visually stands out quite a bit, but the reason behind it may not be as clear. The relief cuts are specifically made for ambi charging handle users. When the user uses his right fingers to pinch and grasp the CH's right latch, the cut allows the index finger to reach down further for a more secure purchase, especially if the user has gloves on. When we use our left fingers to grab the charging handle's left latch, there is nothing below the latch, but on an upper with forward assist, its housing stands in the way. The relief simply provides what room that can be spared on the FA housing so more of the user's finger can have a positive purchase.

3. Change of laser engraving to our Cyngus logo, with the letters URF next to it. That's it, not even company name. Our logo policy is that if there is to be one, it must be discreet and in good taste. It functions as an identifier, not advertising that no customers signed up for.

As mentioned earlier, I think the standard upper is pretty good and hard to improve on. We made two slight changes that are functions related, I think anything more would just approach the cosmetic / life style / fashion realm, where things are different for the sake of being different, but not better.

[Pyzik]

About a week or two before its release [emoji14]

Since we are pretty close to that time, let's reveal how it differs from the billet receiver on which it is based:

1. Relief cuts on the section before rails start for better accessibility of a flip up BUIS's slight stalk / flip up element. This part is subtle enough that majority of folks who saw the prototype pics didn't see the cuts were there, or didn't know what they were for lol.

2. Relief on the top of forward assist housing. This part visually stands out quite a bit, but the reason behind it may not be as clear. The relief cuts are specifically made for ambi charging handle users. When the user uses his right fingers to pinch and grasp the CH's right latch, the cut allows the index finger to reach down further for a more secure purchase, especially if the user has gloves on. When we use our left fingers to grab the charging handle's left latch, there is nothing below the latch, but on an upper with forward assist, its housing stands in the way. The relief simply provides what room that can be spared on the FA housing so more of the user's finger can have a positive purchase.

3. Change of laser engraving to our Cyngus logo, with the letters URF next to it. That's it, not even company name. Our logo policy is that if there is to be one, it must be discreet and in good taste. It functions as an identifier, not advertising that no customers signed up for.

As mentioned earlier, I think the standard upper is pretty good and hard to improve on. We made two slight changes that are functions related, I think anything more would just approach the cosmetic / life style / fashion realm, where things are different for the sake of being different, but not better.Can't wait to see it.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[din]

Has it been two weeks yet?

[UWone77]

Has it been two weeks yet?

No

[Duffy]

They will be shipped to us next week :P

On a somewhat related note, SBCGs are in the latest stage of production (laser engraving) before being sent to Sionics for staking. Sionics has an expensive machine from Ned that properly and securely stakes a bunch of them in a minute.

I didn't try to time these two products. LDFA, which is also a related product to URF, has been out of stock for some time and the latest version should be out around the same time frame as well, I'd like to have all three together but it looks like it will be URF first (in 1 to 1.5 weeks), SBCG second, and 4130 LDFA last, around Thanksgiving.

LDFA will see a significant increase in MSRP. We switched to 4130 steel and black nitride coating. If anyone wants a current version (and lower cost) 17-4 SS black oxided LDFA, now's the time to get them from our dealers.

[Duffy]

In this pic you can see one of the changes we made :P This is URF #1, fresh off the laser engraver. They're not serialized, not sure if there's a point to that.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF1_zps2elezofn.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF1_zps2elezofn.jpg.html)

[Slippers]

CMT.

[Vesticles]

we're gonna need to see more pics Duffy, looks good though

[Duffy]

It is indeed CMT. I met Jeff and his lovely wife at a Rainier Arms SHOT show party in 2015, but I've been a fan going back far longer.

I like the CMT receiver's angular looks, it's a great basis for the two minor changes we'd make, both of which can be seen in this pic:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF2_zpsraqdcc11.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF2_zpsraqdcc11.jpg.html)

The relief on the upper section before the rails begin, is designed for better folding BUIS access.
The relief on the top of the forward assist housing is designed specifically for ambi charging handle users. It allows the right finger to reach down further for a better charging handle latch purchase. The section is thinned down as much as can be thinned down without compromising the FA housing's structural integrity.

As mentioned earlier, I deem these changes rather minor myself, they're ergonomics driven. But if we were to have a receiver bearing our name, it'd be this. A standard A3 receiver is not easy to improve on (cosmetics don't count). These two changes are based on my own experience as a shooter, things that I've always thought "why didn't they do this, it'd make it easier to use"

We're in the position to do it, Jeff Cross at CMT is an absolute joy to work with. From the day I sent him the concept to the day URFs are en route to us, it took all of 5 weeks.

[Pyzik]

It is indeed CMT. I met Jeff and his lovely wife at a Rainier Arms SHOT show party in 2015, but I've been a fan going back far longer.

I like the CMT receiver's angular looks, it's a great basis for the two minor changes we'd make, both of which can be seen in this pic:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF2_zpsraqdcc11.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF2_zpsraqdcc11.jpg.html)

The relief on the upper section before the rails begin, is designed for better folding BUIS access.
The relief on the top of the forward assist housing is designed specifically for ambi charging handle users. It allows the right finger to reach down further for a better charging handle latch purchase. The section is thinned down as much as can be thinned down without compromising the FA housing's structural integrity.

As mentioned earlier, I deem these changes rather minor myself, they're ergonomics driven. But if we were to have a receiver bearing our name, it'd be this. A standard A3 receiver is not easy to improve on (cosmetics don't count). These two changes are based on my own experience as a shooter, things that I've always thought "why didn't they do this, it'd make it easier to use"

We're in the position to do it, Jeff Cross at CMT is an absolute joy to work with. From the day I sent him the concept to the day URFs are en route to us, it took all of 5 weeks.It looks great. I like your reliefs. Great job. Looking forward to other's pics on builds.



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[Duffy]

The FA housing relief is a simple broad stroke, I guess we could have made its presence less shockingly obvious. These changes we made are there to work, I didn't give much thoughts to how it'd look, only that it'd create as much clearance as the FA housing can afford to give.

Here's another perspective of the two mods:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF_zpscfu7r5kd.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF_zpscfu7r5kd.jpg.html)

[fledge]

That it is a CMT upper makes it all the more desireable. :) Is the exclusive FCD lower coming through CMT too???

[Duffy]

If URF does well, the LRF will follow, also from CMT. We've talked about it and it's feasible, but we do need to see how URF does in a market already saturated with many excellent uppers.

That the URF is based on CMT's upper is a considered move, it's a great upper receiver already, with or without our mods, and I like Jeff's design philosophy, which incidentally is close to my own, it's manifested in his products. Simple, elegant, without useless fanfare and fashion bits.

[Vesticles]

So can we assume the LRF will be based on a CMT lower as well?

*Edit* nevermind...derr, that's what I get for not refreshing.

[cjd3]

Looks great Roger. I really dig your method of problem solving and simplicity.

[Duffy]

My LAN/WAN background has its uses, and I've found skills from one job invariably find their way to be useful in another. Simplicity has advantages, overly complicated anything rarely does.

Even the logo engraved on the left side of the URF carries the "simplicity is elegance" theme. A Cygnus logo, followed by three letters, URF. Not even our company name [BD]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF1_zps2elezofn.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF1_zps2elezofn.jpg.html)

[fledge]

My LAN/WAN background has its uses....

I know Obi-wan but nothing of this Lan-wan. FCD fancy lightsabers coming next?

[Duffy]

Haha that'd be cool, but SBCG is next :P

[UWone77]

I like the subtle logo.

Nice work Roger.

[Duffy]

Thank you :P

The less obvious change on the URF are the relief cuts before the rails on the receiver. Recessed on both sides, their purpose is to make accessing a BUIS's flip up element easier. Another small modification to the standard rail that makes sense. For work, not for show.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF%20top_zpslqtrmwrs.png (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF%20top_zpslqtrmwrs.png.html)

[UWone77]

I've noticed more billet uppers with recessed areas for the BUIS. Nice touch.

So maybe I missed it, what's the MSRP on this?

[Duffy]

$192 for the time being.

The other planned version without provisions for forward assist would be less expensive :P

[Big_Tom]

Looks good and price looks good as well

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[mustangfreek]

I have been lurking lately....but nice little features that look like a good upper..

[Duffy]

URF is now shipping. Alas, LDFA and ejection port assemblies are lagging, I really wanted to have them available at the same time.

http://forwardcontrolsdesign.com/URF-Upper-Receiver-Forward-Controls-Design_p_98.html

It's amazing how a small change to the upper below the BUIS feels so wonderful :P
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URFKAC600M_zpsckqrvmhe.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URFKAC600M_zpsckqrvmhe.jpg.html)

The relief on the FA housing works as intended with various ambi charging handles to position the user's finger lower for a more positive grasp on the right side CH latch.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF300MBCM_zps0axagu81.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF300MBCM_zps0axagu81.jpg.html)

URF with its angular lines looks purposeful and muscular on any receiver, here it is on a fairly standard forged receiver. Like the CMT UPUR-1 o which it is based, I don't think one has to find a lower to match it.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URFwlower_zpssd3owyct.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URFwlower_zpssd3owyct.jpg.html)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URFwlower%20right_zpsifz57m9s.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URFwlower%20right_zpsifz57m9s.jpg.html)

[Pyzik]

URF is now shipping. Alas, LDFA and ejection port assemblies are lagging, I really wanted to have them available at the same time.

http://forwardcontrolsdesign.com/URF-Upper-Receiver-Forward-Controls-Design_p_98.html

It's amazing how a small change to the upper below the BUIS feels so wonderful [emoji14]
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URFKAC600M_zpsckqrvmhe.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URFKAC600M_zpsckqrvmhe.jpg.html)

The relief on the FA housing works as intended with various ambi charging handles to position the user's finger lower for a more positive grasp on the right side CH latch.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URF300MBCM_zps0axagu81.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URF300MBCM_zps0axagu81.jpg.html)

URF with its angular lines looks purposeful and muscular on any receiver, here it is on a fairly standard forged receiver. Like the CMT UPUR-1 o which it is based, I don't think one has to find a lower to match it.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URFwlower_zpssd3owyct.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URFwlower_zpssd3owyct.jpg.html)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i314/Duffypoo/URFwlower%20right_zpsifz57m9s.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Duffypoo/media/URFwlower%20right_zpsifz57m9s.jpg.html)Looks great. Needs a FCD lower. [BD]

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[Duffy]

Yeah I know, but I'm resisting it. I can't think of too many things to improve on a lower, I know there are couple areas I want to change. Since I'm not an FFL I can't even have them in my possession, otherwise I'd outfit them with EMR-A, EMR, and ABC/R and sell them only that way. It's still possible, but I'd have to convince CMT to carry and sell those for me, we're working on something else that's more important [BD]