Need help picking an MSAR

[leadcounsel]

What are current owners' and others' opinions on this rifle system?

1. Wild price swings. I've seen them for as low at $1000 to as high as $2,000. What gives?
2. 16" vs. 20" barrel?
3. Are the 5.56 mags interchangable with AR15 mags? What about 7.62x39 and AK mags? Or are they proprietary?
4. Weaver rail or proprietary rail and sight? How easy is it to switch the two?
5. E4 models vs. the 556? What's the difference?

Opinions?

 

[atomd]

Definitely the 16". The whole design is meant to be as compact as possible....adding a longer barrel just defeats the purpose. Plus, unless you're doing long range target shooting (which it isn't designed for anyways), it won't matter at all.

I think the E4 version takes AR mags.

 

[leadcounsel]

So, I spoke with the distributor Ratworks or Ratworx.

The STG 556 is about $1,050 and the E4 is $1300. The E4 advanatages are that it has a couple extra weaver rails and the weapon takes M4 magazines whereas the STG 556 takes proprietary magazines. But the weapon comes with 5 magazines anyway... I have a pile of M4 mags, but not sure if the extra rails and the mag compatibility is that big of an issue. I also spoke with someone else who said that the mag catch is plastic, so he advised not using metal M4 mags anyway. Hmmmm.....

 

[iamkris]

Prices are just seeing the inevitable hype, hysteria and eventual slide. E4s were (correctly) much anticipated and thus the prices were $2000 when they came out. They are now coming down. MSAR is a young company and has made several product enhancements...they are up to around Gen 4 now. Thus, older generations are now worth less.

As to 16 vs 20", the reason I got a bullpup was for the most compact, non-SBR rifle possible. Thus I got a 16. If you are looking for as much velocity as possible without an overly long rifle, then get the 20"

Here's mine. I got the E4 because I already am supporting so many different mag systems, I didn't want to add another.

 

[Jungo2]

I purchased that exact model E4 this week. Should have it either today or tomorrow. I too chose the 16" barrel as the primary allure of the bullpup design is size. The 16" barrel still produces acceptable ballistics with the 5.56, yet offers the same linear profile as a 10" AR SBR. I also chose the E4 due to its compatibility with USGI mags. I have an AR15, a FS2000 and now a MSAR E4 that all can share the same magazines. Easy, efficient and cost-effective.

The MSAR STG has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. MSAR should be commended for being so responsive to the needs and requirements of its customers.

 

[DannyinJapan]

If you buy an MSAR, buy the cheaper rail version. MSAR is coming out with a new factory optic soon (3rd generation optic)
Also, mags should not be an issue - RATWORX is selling them thru end of January for 13.00 each.
You can't beat that price.