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View Full Version : AR57- 5.7 drop on upper receiver



Stickman
10 March 2009, 18:39
Here is an overview that I never thought I would be writing. The 5.7 cartridge drop on upper is a project that I didn't think would ever see the light of day, or at least not the public market place. Enter "57 Center", who has recently come to market with what appears to be an updated version of the upper we first viewed several years ago.

Merits of the 5.7x28mm round can be debated, with many detractors being those who are opposed to it for no other reason that the 2004 Brady Campaign claiming that the SS192 ammo was nothing more than a vest defeating "cop killer" round. Common sense tells us that its the individual that kills an officer, not the bullet. Common sense also tells us that there is plenty of ammunition that defeats body armor, but the 5.7 got off to a rocky and widely hyped start.

http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/WeaponEvolution.com/0O2P1781-WEVO.jpg

Stickman
10 March 2009, 19:16
57Center states the upper is machined from a solid block of 7075 T6 aluminum. The unit is similar to what AR users would consider a monolithic upper.

There left, right, and bottom rails measure out to roughly 9 inches of standard 1913 rail space. The upper rail is divided to allow for the use of the top loading magazine. The front section of the upper rail is 1.5", which is enough to install a front folding sight. The rear section of the upper rail is around 5 inches, which permits the installation of a rear folding sight, as well as some optics. By not using the rear sight, there is obviously more space for mounting of optics.


Shown below is the AR57 upper mounted on a Noveske M16 lower, Magpul ACS carbine stock, Magpul MBUS sights, and Aimpoint T-1 in an American Defense MFG mount.


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/WeaponEvolution.com/0O2P1738-A-1028-Stick.jpg

Stickman
10 March 2009, 19:41
The magazine release is ambidextrous (shown below), and is used both to insert and remove the 50 round magazine. It is not advised to slap the mag into place.



http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/WeaponEvolution.com/0O2P1814-1028-Stick.jpg

Stickman
10 March 2009, 19:42
The charging handle is located on the right side of the weapon as viewed from a shooting position. While some people will lament that it is not on the left side, those who are used to an AK will find it easy to revert to the practice of canting the weapon while charging it.



http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/WeaponEvolution.com/0O2P1815-1028-Stick.jpg

Stickman
10 March 2009, 19:57
I can think of a few reasons to own an AR57 upper.

First and foremost would be modular capability of ammunition and equipment. If you already own an AR15, and any of the 5.7mm weapons, it make sense to maximize your bang for the buck.

Ammunition prices aren't getting any cheaper, and the 5.7 has so little recoil that is is truly pleasant to shoot, even for shooters of smaller stature. For novice shooters, or people who are recoil sensitive, this caliber is outstanding. It offers high velocity, and can pack a lot of ammo in a single magazine. Perhaps not my first choice in a home defense round, but its rounds on target that count, regardless of the caliber.

For those people who own the P90/ PS90, having magazines already on hand makes this a pretty simple choice.

On a side note, the downward ejecting upper creates an interesting opportunity for AR15 users. By cutting the feedlips off a PMAG (or other magazine), you can lock the PMAG into place, and use it to catch the spent casings. It won't catch an entire 50 round magazine worth of shell casings, but it should about half of them, which makes clean up a breeze.






http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/WeaponEvolution.com/0O2P1736-A-Stick.jpg

Stickman
10 March 2009, 20:01
Contact Info


http://www.57center.com/


57 CENTER

8525 152nd Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052

Tel (888) 900-5728
Fax (425) 882-0487

Request Information: info@57center.com