The Official: I'm waiting for an ARX-160 thread.

[Elbows]

So, as many of you know, I'm a big AK guy. I prefer it to the AR, and I've been running them for perhaps the last 4-5 years. I only have 10-15K rounds down range with them, but I genuinely love the platform. With the right parts and aftermarket modifications, I think the AK can easily hit 85-90% of the functions of any current issue rifle (particularly that of the AR).

Plastic Fantastic...Deux
Just as an Austrian named Gaston helped throw the firearms world on its ear with the introduction of mass produced reliable polymer framed semi-auto fighting handguns, several companies today are trying to push the firearms world kicking and screaming into the new generation of rifles. Most militaries are fighting tooth and nail to retain their Cold War rifles...but the winds of change are blowing harder than a wolf smacking his lips for bacon fat.

To this end, we've seen the well received SCAR models...the poorly received ACR models...the oddly received FN2000 super guns, new fancy AUG based rifles, and a variety of wannabes hanging out in the wings (I'm looking at you Cz805 BREN!).



None of these really interest me. If anything, some of the weapons make me laugh. The US military has gone from hating side-charging handles, and piston operation...to loving side-charging handles, and piston operation. In fact, if there is one thing our admittedly great military does horribly it's small arms. To get a firearm into the hands of a US infantrymen...one must first conquer a red-tape trail the size of the Tour De France (roughly 2185 miles on average). Congressional bickering, financial nonsense, and political disasters await every single firearms design.



I digress...

So, as I look at the future of my current life I realize I can likely no longer afford to buy overly expensive AKs and then spend way too much money trying to build them into proper fighting guns. I have two, and they work...but if I calculate the cost spent getting them to where they are, I may put one of those barrels in my mouth.

So when I stumbled upon the Beretta ARX-160...I expected little. I expected another gun built around an AR platform, with nothing genuinely new or innovative. A lot of hot-air promises, and a price tag which would make an HK sales rep baulk.



The more videos and reviews I looked into, the more my curiosity was piqued. Sure, it's a side-charging piston gun...which is comforting to an AK guy like me. But it has some genuinely unique and forward thinking looking design aspects. I have decided that I will be buying one if/when they are released in the US. Current theories are pointing to a likely release...albeit in 1.5-2 years time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEEvh3wYFps

Things I like:
+Ambi...everything with little to no sacrifices to make it happen.
+A slightly AK-friendly magazine release which will help me transfer back to AR style mag releases.
+Folding stock (no reason for a modern fighting gun to not have this...makes carriage/stowage much easier!)
+Tool-less break down to almost its component parts.
+Quick release barrel. While something I "may" not use, if I end up liking the rifle enough, it would make SBR'ing it much more simple...also possibly giving me an option to run the gun in various configs.
+Short stroke piston operation.
+Single railed top, which accept AR folding sights or any normal combat optics.
+A "hinted" at price of $1500-1700 for a "basic" model...we'll see.
+One of the best aspects...a charging handle, which is NOT super close to the top rail. This is a huge issue with SCARs, ACRs, 556's etc. The charging handle is very near the top of the rifle, which starts to interfere with optics, and railed accessories....which is a stupid mis-design.
+Supposedly lightweight (rumoured under 7 lbs. empty?)
+Beretta is a well respected firearms manufacturer...and I'd have no problems buying from them.
+Been tested and now serving in the Italian armed forces since 2008. Any combat proven firearm is definitely confidence inspiring unlike something like a Bushmaster ACR etc.

Things I don't think I'll like:
-Stock folding to the right...I like mine folded to the left. I'll be running the charging handle like an AK, on the right side of the rifle.
-Relatively short front end grip/furniture...which will (just like an AK) hinder you if you prefer a long-armed approach to shooting.
-Ugly. I already own ugly guns, so this isn't a huge deal, but the rifle is freakin' hideous!
-The bolt-latch hold button is in/under the trigger guard...and seems like a bad idea. I could be wrong though.



So...here's hoping it actually happens. Please feel free to post any ARX-160 info here (good or bad!). I'm cautiously optimistic.

[CORNBREAD_122]

I'm pretty excited to see what becomes of the ARX-160. I think its a gutsy move from Beretta to release another gun into the market to compete with the kings of the type, the AR and AK. I don't think the Scar or ACR lived up to the hype.

Have you tried out the Sig 556? I hear they ironed out any issues they had with it. It looks like a modernized/refined AK to me. Something an AK guy could get familiar with very quickly.

[Elbows]

I've shot my buddy's Sig556 (shortly before he sold it to fund an LWRC). While I like the idea of the rifle, the execution is mediocre - mainly because of Sig's piss-poor quality control as of late. The folding stocks are not robust enough (they have several models, some worse than others). I do genuinely like the rifle, but one HUGE pet peeve for me is the charging handle sits RIGHT on the freakin' upper rail.

This is a stupid damn place to put the charging handle (a design which several late rifles have). The AK and ARX etc. have charging handles placed further down the rifle.

Between the Sig quality, and the stupid charging handle, I'd definitely have an issue running one. I really dig the patrol model. If two years go by, I may be encouraged to try one. You used to be able to get the Sig556 models for dirt cheap (because no one was buying them). I haven't completely nixed it.

[nevermas]

Handled this at DSA a few months back and I liked it, trigger felt nice and clean and easy to shoulder up. Toward the end of the show everybody starts to get a little loopy and the Steiner rep (Beretta bought out Steiner a few years back) starts to use the rifle as a putter. There is a breakdown tool hidden within the rifle, or you can just use a standard punch.

Yeah, it is indeed an ugly rifle.

[NoDubJustYet]

For the 556: Just buy the Swiss stock, not the collapsible side-folding stock. It's world's better. There are other stocks available from ACE or if you wanted to go with an AR style. Not sure what issues you've had with the 556. My classic has been perfect...

[Elbows]

My main concern is simply with the company. The Sig 556R had such wildly horrible reviews I'm amazed they even released that rifle (though they are supposed to be releasing a new model to make up for it here shortly). My buddy's 556 was okay. He couldn't shoot it very well, but I'm pretty sure it was all him, and not the rifle.

Right now though, the 556 is not really on my radar.

[NoDubJustYet]

Whatever floats your boat... IMHO it's the best, most effective piston-driven rifle out there if you don't want some sort of AK.

I honestly never even paid attention to the 556R - seemed kinda pointless. That being said, the "normal" 556 and even the 551-A1 ($$ mags be damned) are great rifles.

I will have a SG552 inspired SBR one of these days.

[Obin Robinson]

You're waiting for the ARX-160? I'm waiting for the damn MX-4.



obin

[Elbows]

How is that any different from an SBR'ed carbine they sell here already? Looks the same to me.

[Obin Robinson]

How is that any different from an SBR'ed carbine they sell here already? Looks the same to me.

Those aren't single shots you're hearing... those are 3 round bursts. Watch the video several times just to see how fast the bolt is moving.

obin

[Elbows]

Right, but for civilian purposes, it's nothing for the US right?

[Obin Robinson]

Right, but for civilian purposes, it's nothing for the US right?

I can see these replacing MP5s and some other guns in various department inventories. As for civilian use maybe only as a sample or a rental. You'd need some DEEP pockets and good hook-ups to get one into private hands. We'll probably end up seeing them only in movies.

obin