New NGA X8 Pics

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It difficult to get excited about.

Isn't "just" another AR-15, but with a monolithic upper and modular trigger pack? Profoundly expensive as well.
 
It looks like a nice rifle, and one that incorporates many of the advancements in design for AR pattern guns in the last couple of years by many other manufacturers, for instance, LaRue Tactical.

Precision, would you care to tell us what, specifically, makes this new product special, and could you relate your experience with this gun to other similar guns from other manufacturers like LaRue Tactical, JP, POF, or Noveske?

Thanks.
 
Justin said:
It looks like a nice rifle, and one that incorporates many of the advancements in design for AR pattern guns in the last couple of years by many other manufacturers, for instance, LaRue Tactical.

Precision, would you care to tell us what, specifically, makes this new product special, and could you relate your experience with this gun to other similar guns from other manufacturers like LaRue Tactical, JP, POF, or Noveske?

Thanks.
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Though I haven't had any experience with the rifle personally, I can visually see the differences, at least on the external side of things. The three things that I really like about the gun are the lower receiver, the company's philosophy about unnecessary rails (which they've incorporated into the design), and the forend. The following information is straight from their website.

"Lower receiver – Designed and machined in-house from plate stock. The most distinctive feature is the expanded, flared mag well and rounded front face. The flare gives approximately 50% more [maybe this is a typo, is it supposed to be "less?"] margin of error for insertion of the magazine vs. the M4. The cavernous well makes it much easier to reach in and clear a double feed malfunction (good to practice but you probably won't ever see one). The interior guide rails and mag catch system have been tightened up a bit to retain the magazine with less chatter and wobble, however the ceramic coated well results in lower friction inserts and releases. The curved shape of the front of the receiver is intended to grip more comfortably by the support hand for those who use that grip technique.

The lower parts kit has been optimized for minimal simplicity and smooth operation and mounting holes are held to ridiculous tolerances.

Rails – All accessory rails conform to standard 1913 dimensions but are center-relieved. The top rail is continuous and nearly seamless although not monolithic. Side rails and bottom rails are optional for those can't-live-without gadgets that seem to bloom and multiply regardless of utility. We encourage a minimalist style of accessorization based entirely on the top rail in order to save excess weight and improve shooting technique. Eliminating faddish quad rails goes a long way toward improving the ergonomics of support hand gripping.

Forend - The F3115 forend is all about support hand ergonomics that result in better pointing control and low fatigue gripping. There aren't any rails or obstructions in the way of your palm or fingers except for the nicely contoured top rail. The small circumference and unique quad-lobed shape results in an extremely high leverage grip that gives the shooter better control, especially with today's common "rope grip" techniques. The length of forend intended for 14.5" and 16" barrels is 11.5".

The forend is made from a top and bottom piece of 7075 bar stock. The pieces are joined with a precision dovetail and 4x 10-32 bolts. The rigidity of the resulting frame is about twice that of typical quad rails. The forend clamps to a precision 7075 barrel nut and indexes to shoulders on the upper receiver. We believe this results in the most precise and rigid barrel and forend mount system ever in a non-monolithic platform. It is very common for people to mistake this for a monolithic."

And that's just the X7. The X8 is going be a step up from this.

I wish people would give these guys more of a chance. The rifle is priced so high because they're small and new, and also because there are a lot of high-quality parts in the design. So even if you wouldn't consider purchasing it, at least appreciate the improvements they've made to the AR platform. Maybe the up-and-coming X8 will gain popularity once people start seeing its potential.

If you're looking for overall economic value, maybe this isn't your gun. But if you're searching for something above-average, something that is trying to push the envelope, then look no further. This is a nice rifle.
 
I don't really see what you gain from having an AR lower machined from a billet...
 
I'm with everyone else on this. It's a neat technical exercise, but the price puts it way out of league with comparably equipped rifles. The fact is that the AR-15 platform has been beat to death by every single major manufacturer over the past few years. Making a really expensive rifle that is similar, with only minor improvements, is just not going to fly.
 
Precision, all you did was copy and paste, or at best, re-phrase marketing material from their website.

In your own words, relating your actual experiences on a range, attending training sessions, or shooting competitively with this and other rifles, please tell us why you think this gun is better than similar rifles from companies like LaRue, POF, JP, or Noveske.

Also, please relate your firsthand experience (or lack thereof) with rifles from those manufacturers and why you believe they fall short.
 
Having shot a JP in a competition it would be very difficult to beat the CTR 02, though I have not shot an OBR yet... So until it gives up and quits or I get a vastly better paying job I will keep rocking my RRA franken gun. It is a parts mutt that has never let me down and means more to me than any fancy marketing could ever say.
 
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If I was a serious competitive shooter who was good enough to be sponsored and I needed specialty ARs to keep a competitive edge (and my sponsorships), I can understand OPs desire that we at least appreciate the NGA X8.

But that's about it. The X8 is just another example of how I'm beginning to feel as though we'll never really improve on the AR design short of developing it into a phaser with stun, semi-lethal, and if you have the money, get an NFA version with stun/semi-lethal/lethal.
 
Hi again everyone. Just to remind, I'm the designer of the X8.

It's great to have a loyal following and some would say that any exposure is good exposure. Thanks Precision for trying yet again to convince the troops that they should be wearing Rolexes and driving Porsche's:banghead:

People, some of you are unduly harsh, but I hope it's clear we at NGA are not pushing the X7 or upcoming X8 as the right choice for most people's gun locker. At this stage of NGA, we are essentially "growing up" and each stage is represented by a lesson in the art of the AR. There are, gratefully, a class of shooters who can afford NGA's and are interested enough in these lessons to support what we're doing.

Someday, the progression will derive a gun with enough merit to market broadly and produce efficiently enough to drive down the cost to mfg. I'm not promising but that's my goal. If this ends up being a 5.56 class weapon, you can be sure that it won't kick the ass of the venerable M4, because that just isn't possible. But improvements can be substantial and appreciated nonetheless and if they don't cost too much extra, they'll be worth it.
 
but I hope it's clear we at NGA are not pushing the X7 or upcoming X8 as the right choice for most people's gun locker.
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The issue at hand here is not NGA. In fact it looks like a heck of a rifle, and if it performs as good as NGA claims it will be a great rifle. The issue is, the OP, in all his zeal has never actually used an NGA, JP, Noveske, LaRue or any other top tier rifle. He is a young man who is very excited about firearms, and that is a great thing. We need more young men like that. But to just restate NGA's, or anyone's for that matter, marketing is nothing more than free advertising for NGA. The knowledge base is limited to what is read on a manufacture's web site.
 
It's great to have a loyal following and some would say that any exposure is good exposure. Thanks Precision for trying yet again to convince the troops that they should be wearing Rolexes and driving Porsche's.
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I'm a fan of having more companies in the mix bringing their own particular take to the table.

I find it unfortunate that you've got a fan who doesn't know what he's talking about, especially since it seems that you guys make a pretty good product.

Is there any chance we could get some input from a junior shooter who does know what he's talking about? I notice that you guys are sponsoring Cody Leeper, and he took 1st junior at RM3G this year, which is a tremendous feat as RM3G is easily one of the most challenging of the national-level 3 gun matches out there.
 
a parts mutt

Hey, I've got parts in that mutt. Talk nice about the puppy! :D
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rfscheer,

Glad to have you here. Please keep pushing the envelope, don't get discouraged just because some of us out here are still running "parts mutts" as Gus calls them. As Louis Awerbuck says, the state of the art is always a moving target. And if you can get ahead of it, you can lead it! Louis would like the 'no forward assist, KISS' approach, he runs a mean basic carbine class too ( http://www.yfainc.com/ ).

BTW, kudos on putting on the ears and eyes and getting out there on the line in a class with Farnam. Ain't he a sweetheart? 8^) ( http://www.defense-training.com/quips/16Aug11.html )

lpl
 
Hooah. I'm willing to support anyone who'll get on the line and take their lumps with other folks. Um...not always financially :)(), but, serious respect.
 
Justin said:
I'm a fan of having more companies in the mix bringing their own particular take to the table.

I find it unfortunate that you've got a fan who doesn't know what he's talking about, especially since it seems that you guys make a pretty good product.

Is there any chance we could get some input from a junior shooter who does know what he's talking about? I notice that you guys are sponsoring Cody Leeper, and he took 1st junior at RM3G this year, which is a tremendous feat as RM3G is easily one of the most challenging of the national-level 3 gun matches out there.
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Cody Leeper (16 years old) did well recently in Kentucky and this past weekend at the Ozark 3-gun Champs. The results are still tied up due to a computer failure (2nd hand info alert there, just what I'm told) but we know that he won stage 2, which is a 20-target, all-rifle stage. He beat 249 other shooters, including folks like Daniel Horner. That was with a 14.5" X7 and a nice Swarovski scope. He's something else.
 
Lee Lapin said:
a parts mutt

Hey, I've got parts in that mutt. Talk nice about the puppy! :D
---------------

rfscheer,

Glad to have you here. Please keep pushing the envelope, don't get discouraged just because some of us out here are still running "parts mutts" as Gus calls them. As Louis Awerbuck says, the state of the art is always a moving target. And if you can get ahead of it, you can lead it! Louis would like the 'no forward assist, KISS' approach, he runs a mean basic carbine class too ( http://www.yfainc.com/ ).

BTW, kudos on putting on the ears and eyes and getting out there on the line in a class with Farnam. Ain't he a sweetheart? 8^) ( http://www.defense-training.com/quips/16Aug11.html )

lpl
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There are some great trainers and schools in this country but if you don't know of John Farnam, you're missing one of the greats. http://www.defense-training.com

His training isn't flashy and doesn't care if you're not a tactical ninja. Move off the X. Hit accurately. Keep moving. Look around. Have weapons that work. Carry always. It's all simple and intended to help you train the way you'd fight and stay alive even if surprised.
 
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