Talk me into/out of a POF .223 rifle

[C-grunt]

Im currently selling a few guns and my Colt 6520 (great gun, just not configured the way I want) and am going to be replacing it with a nice AR-15. I was originally planning on a nice BCM or LMT with possibly a 6920 in the mix. My plan is a very reliable flat top M4 style carbine.

Well looking around and it seems Im getting into POF territory price wise. Normally I wouldnt even consider a piston rifle as the DI guns have worked fine for me. But I was recently down at the PD range and got to see our swat team playing with their brand new shorty POFs.

Talking to them about it and they said they switched from the shorty Colts because A) the piston is more reliable with 11 inch guns and B) POF is local for us and therefor repairs are much faster.

Handling the POF rifles made me a believer in their quality. Still kinda on the fence about the piston, but they have shown me that they are pretty accurate and exceptionally well made.

So what do you guys think?

 

[Big_E]

All I can say is that I like the fluted barrel on the POF's. If I could find the same barrel for a DI AR-15 I would be so happy.

 

[stubbicatt]

Does the POF exhibit bolt tilt?

 

[davepool]

I won't try to talk you out of it, i'm saving up for one myself . They're local, they're good guys, and the quality of their rifles is hard to beat.

 

[briansmithwins]

Why buy a military pattern rifle that diverges so radically from the actual rifle that's been issued by the 10's of millions?

You're also buying into a propitiatory design. It's great that POF is local to you but are they going to be around and supporting their rifle in 20 years?

Ask the guys with Rhino kits where they get their spare parts from.

BSW

 

[LRS_Ranger]

I shot both a POF and an LWRC and I went with the LWRC... personal preferance, but I heard some stories of POF's failing. That was a while ago and I am sure that they have fixed whatever was the problem. I just liked the LWRC better.

 

[C-grunt]

BSW hit the nail on the head with my concerns and just knocked me back onto the DI side of the fence. Now looking in the same price area I have noticed the Noveske N4......

 

[SHvar]

Will colt still be here in 20-30 years if they dont get the next contract, or any afterwards? Since Bushmaster is licensed to use the POF design there will be another supplier aside from POF themselves.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Noveske makes very fine rifles. I'm a vote in the DI column, for what it's worth.

 

[numaone]

Colt 6940, loyal lover of mine. Big brother to the 6920 you are considering. Go with the pony.

 

[MCMXI]

I have two POFs .... a P415 and a P308 ... and I love 'em both. They are very well made with excellent machining, fit and finish, and the ambidextrous bolt release is a real plus. This may be bad news for many here but they just work, they're accurate and I haven't seen any signs of BC tilt yet. The only changes I've made to the internals is adding Geissele SSA triggers and roller cam pins to both bolts to reduce drag/friction.

http://www.pof-usa.com/images/223rollercampin1.jpg

I have a spare BM lower and may buy an LMT GP upper for comparative purposes ... or maybe a Noveske to see what all the fuss is about.

 

[C-grunt]

Well I am almost positive I am going to get a Noveske. I called them today and with the leo/mil discount, a standard N4 is only about 120 bucks more than a Colt 6920.

 

[C-grunt]

I have two POFs .... a P415 and a P308 ... and I love 'em both. They are very well made with excellent machining, fit and finish, and the ambidextrous bolt release is a real plus. This may be bad news for many here but they just work, they're accurate and I haven't seen any signs of BC tilt yet. The only changes I've made to the internals is adding Geissele SSA triggers and roller cam pins to both bolts to reduce drag/friction.

http://www.pof-usa.com/images/223rollercampin1.jpg

I have a spare BM lower and may buy an LMT GP upper for comparative purposes ... or maybe a Noveske to see what all the fuss is about.

I agree with you that the POFs are very well made. The ones I handled are easily some of the best made, fit and finished semi auto rifles I have ever handled.

But being the kind of paranoid guy I am (docs say side effect of PTSD) I need a milspec type AR15. Just because in my head I know that if the world came to an end I would end up finding a stash of military equipment and spare parts, which wouldnt fit in my POF. I know its crazy, but it would eat at me.

Now a POF is definitely at the top of the list when I buy a piston gun, which I will eventually. I just need my military pattern weapon first.

 

[Tirod]

I'm building an AR, and seriously considering a side charging upper. One reason is that I perceive it as an improvement on the type pattern. I can live with that, it's what made the M1 into the M14. Most battle guns are side charging, and it does have advantages not on topic here.

On the other hand, what if something breaks? Will I be able to get parts ten years from now? I can for my Cherokee, but guns are different. Sometimes the design goes down in flames and hits the safe queen market. Parts become an issue.

Depends on how much you shoot it. Put enough rounds through it, and you will need parts. Run your car 5K a year, brakes, tires, etc still have to be bought. So, as part of the long term package, I have to include the cost of any special bits that may wear out or break. Things will wear out and break, even barrels.

If you plan to shoot it and sell, it, go for it. Lots of us like buying barely used guns at discount, just like the used car market has gems for those with ready cash. Parts won't be a problem to worry about for the first owner.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Well I am almost positive I am going to get a Noveske. I called them today and with the leo/mil discount, a standard N4 is only about 120 bucks more than a Colt 6920.

Get the middie and don't look back. You'll be glad you did. Their free float handguards are great too, if you want to go for a model that has one (made by SWS). Very light weight, and the anti-rotation pin is captive between the handguard and upper receiver above the gas tube. Makes the handguard very low profile in the barrel nut area. Only thing I would change about them is to put a QD sling socket at the proximal end of the right side instead of tapering it (but I'm a lefty, righties probably wouldn't care).