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TripleBravo
20 April 2011, 15:02
At the 2011 SHOT Show, Adams Arms had a whole bunch of new prototypes on display. I had the opportunity to spend some time talking with their sales manager, John Humphrey, going over all their new products. One item in particular stood out as something that really interested me. It was a lightweight rifle featuring the Adams Arms piston system along with a pencil barrel with Adams Arms own compensator, and Samson’s new Evolution series rail system. I posted a first look at this upper back in February here:

http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?3021-Adams-Arms-Lightweight-Upper-Assembly

The two versions I saw – a carbine length and a mid-length – were prototype builds. John explained that they were still working on the final design configuration. The prototype had a standard phosphate finished chrome lined barrel. Plans for the production models include a thin profiled version of the Melonited 1 in 7 twist barrels Adams Arms uses on all its upper assemblies.

As a fan of piston uppers (no, we won’t get into the DI/piston debate in this thread), I was so eager to try this lightweight version out that I nagged John for days after SHOT show. He finally agreed to send me one of their prototypes to try out. The unit he sent me was actually a complete rifle with the carbine length upper. I installed some Magpul MBUS sights and an old Aimpoint CompM2 to get the rifle operational.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/Rifle01.jpg

On the first visit to the range, I ran into some problems straight away – which happens at times when working with a prototype of anything. I contacted John and we were able to diagnose the issue pretty quickly. While the fix was simple, since it is their rifle, I had to send it back to Adams Arms for the remedy. John had the issue resolved and the rifle back in my hands in no time – a testament to their great customer service.

Back at the range this past Friday, I put 1000 rounds of XM193 through this rifle while running it through a day of transition and reload drills. The rifle ran flawlessly with zero malfunctions. I then decided to do some comparison between this lightweight compensated piston rifle and my issued Colt 6920 rifle. Both are similarly outfitted with accessories.

My Colt unloaded weighs 8 lbs 8.0 oz.
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/ColtScale01.jpg

The Adams Arms Lightweight rifle weighed 7 lbs. 6.0 oz.
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/AArifleScale01.jpg

When shooting the two side by side, it was clear that the Adams Arms had less recoil. The compensator clearly did its job and allowed for faster and more accurate follow up shots. Check out the below video for evidence of this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_9CEmPemdQ

Overall, I was very impressed with the Adams Arms Lightweight upper. It truly feels lightweight and actually has less felt recoil than heavier Adams Arms uppers I own. If given the choice, I’d probably go with the mid-length version only because my preferred shooting style works better with a longer rail.

More photographs of the Adams Arms Lightweight upper below.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/GasBlock01.jpg
The low profile gas block is where the gas is expelled – this is after 1000 rounds

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/BCG01.jpg
The Adams Arms one piece Bolt Carrier (group) after 1000 rounds.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/AA-Brake-range-01.jpg
The Adams Arms compensator really made a difference.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/LightweightandColt01.jpg
The Adams Arms Lightweight rifle next to a Colt 6920 on range day.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/LightweightRange01.jpg
The Adams Arms Lightweight upper ran flawlessly through 1000 rounds of XM193.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww189/wjt1169/Adams%20Arms%20Lightweight%20Rifle/RifleApart01.jpg

TripleBravo
20 April 2011, 15:06
Please ask questions and discuss in this thread:

http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?3156-Adams-Arms-Lightweight-Upper-Discussion&p=29391#post29391