Yet Another MSAR STG-E4 Mini Review...
MSAR: makers of the "Aug Clone" rifle
STG: the Aug Clone Rifle
E4: new model that uses standard AR mags, new stock design, and will support 5.56, 7.62x39, 6.8 spc, and 5.45x39 chamberings via tool-less barrel swaps, bolt and mag changes.
My Model: 5.56 nato, 16" barrel 1:8 twist, OD green, in right hand config; top rail not the built-in optic model.
Vendor: Ratworx
got to hit the range tonight, here's my impressions:
1) points naturally
2) mag changes will take practice
3) packs easy
4) cleans easier
5) i'm the weak link, accuracy wise
6) no hiccups mechanically
7) did i mention it points well?
I packed 10 mags, all 30 round mags, but just used a box of 20 rounds per mag, so i could load all 10 and look for a dud mag first time out. From left to right: Black Hills 69 gr Matchking HP (blue box); Hornady TAP 55 gr FPD; XM193C 55 gr FMJ from Lake City (corrected).
It packed real nice, here's the rifle in my impromptu range bag, seems a waste to use a full length softcase
barrel out of receiver makes the overall length 20.75" to the point farthest at the stock, to the front end of the receiver.
Fired 200 rounds in around 75 minutes, the first 3 mags going slower and adjusting gear as i went.
I tried with 3 different 30 round mags, left to right: magpul emag (black), msar E4 mag (green), msar E4 mag (clear/amber):
the tone/pitch of magpul and green msar mag were the same, the clear/amber sounded higher in pitch to the snap of the rounds being loaded: what does this mean? maybe nothing, maybe the clear/amber is a more brittle plastic based on the higherpitch; all loaded fine, and the msar mags shot great, no issues. i was attempting to buy a Pmag when i was picking up my rifle last week, my shop recommended the Emag since it's what the scar, etc, use; i asked if they were sure since the point of the E4 is 'uses AR mags' so we put it in rifle instore and it 'caught' so we went with it. Today on range, it kept the bolt release from being releaseable (the rifle didn't think a mag was in, even tho it was definitely driven all the way home). so the longer Emag is a no go on the E4, will be taking it back to the store and swap for a Pmag.
How did it shoot? Great. virgin voyage and all, so i used the first (Black Hills) magazine to zero the EoTech 512 at 25 yds. 2nd magazine was the TAP rounds, here's all 20 shot at 15 yds, standing offhand. the Vickers sling making a strong triangle with my left hand on the vertical fore grip:
being able the crank down that sling is sweet. Mags 3+ were shot faster. Lowering rifle and bringing it up as smooth as I could, getting sight picture and squeeze. the eotech (my first) was great, and the 1 moa dot inside the ring was usefule for the take your time shots. the hardest part about shooting both eyes open was the flash from the tulip flash suppressor, producing a flame at about 10 o'clock, directly in line with my left eye's view of the target, maybe one of those flash suppressors that fires forward through 1/2 dozen ports...
At the end of mag 6, the barrel was very warm, and the oil-burnoff was smoking a bit (i disassembled the rifle this week, it was clean and lubed ready to go), by mag 8, no more smoking and it was even hotter. after mag 9, again shooting cleanly but briskly the whole front receiver was warm, and it transferred th warmth to the integral top rail. i emptied the 20 rounds from the Emag and shot out of a clear MSAR mag, and 200 rounds done. The heat had made it to the eotech's aluminum shield (since it clamps to the top rail). only the barrel was not touchable. the rail under the rifle was fine (since it was insulated by the polymer stock under the receiver). but the front of the top rail was very warm. it didn't affect me, but it got my attention (kinda like shooting many rounds through an HK P7, you get to know really well where the heat is.
anyways, gas system was on the low setting, no need for high. it worked fine. i took barrel out to cool before packing while i cleaned my brass.
overall: the sling/rifle/eotech combo is working. it just happens to fit/point where i look. very comfy. feeding/extracting all 100% (the xm193 is what i plan on using for carbine classes, etc, no desire for steel case ammo in 5.56 at this time, we'll see what the future holds if i go with the 7.62x39 barrel later). it's so compact, indoor tests (done safe and empty) were amazingly easy to do thanks to the size. the weight with even 30 rounds is negligible since the magazine and the weight are 6" from your shoulder. With the sling cinched down for proper support in shooting offhand, the mag changes were trickier, but practice will solve that. No muzzle rise, it was on target right after each shot.
short-term verdict: glad i bought, fills the role i needed filled and so far the rifle is boringly mechanical, doing it's job in a repeatable fashion, yet viscerally engaging; sure it's kinda fugly, but it fits so well, and the fit and finish is top notch.
MSAR: makers of the "Aug Clone" rifle
STG: the Aug Clone Rifle
E4: new model that uses standard AR mags, new stock design, and will support 5.56, 7.62x39, 6.8 spc, and 5.45x39 chamberings via tool-less barrel swaps, bolt and mag changes.
My Model: 5.56 nato, 16" barrel 1:8 twist, OD green, in right hand config; top rail not the built-in optic model.
Vendor: Ratworx
got to hit the range tonight, here's my impressions:
1) points naturally
2) mag changes will take practice
3) packs easy
4) cleans easier
5) i'm the weak link, accuracy wise
6) no hiccups mechanically
7) did i mention it points well?
I packed 10 mags, all 30 round mags, but just used a box of 20 rounds per mag, so i could load all 10 and look for a dud mag first time out. From left to right: Black Hills 69 gr Matchking HP (blue box); Hornady TAP 55 gr FPD; XM193C 55 gr FMJ from Lake City (corrected).
It packed real nice, here's the rifle in my impromptu range bag, seems a waste to use a full length softcase
barrel out of receiver makes the overall length 20.75" to the point farthest at the stock, to the front end of the receiver.
Fired 200 rounds in around 75 minutes, the first 3 mags going slower and adjusting gear as i went.
I tried with 3 different 30 round mags, left to right: magpul emag (black), msar E4 mag (green), msar E4 mag (clear/amber):
the tone/pitch of magpul and green msar mag were the same, the clear/amber sounded higher in pitch to the snap of the rounds being loaded: what does this mean? maybe nothing, maybe the clear/amber is a more brittle plastic based on the higherpitch; all loaded fine, and the msar mags shot great, no issues. i was attempting to buy a Pmag when i was picking up my rifle last week, my shop recommended the Emag since it's what the scar, etc, use; i asked if they were sure since the point of the E4 is 'uses AR mags' so we put it in rifle instore and it 'caught' so we went with it. Today on range, it kept the bolt release from being releaseable (the rifle didn't think a mag was in, even tho it was definitely driven all the way home). so the longer Emag is a no go on the E4, will be taking it back to the store and swap for a Pmag.
How did it shoot? Great. virgin voyage and all, so i used the first (Black Hills) magazine to zero the EoTech 512 at 25 yds. 2nd magazine was the TAP rounds, here's all 20 shot at 15 yds, standing offhand. the Vickers sling making a strong triangle with my left hand on the vertical fore grip:
being able the crank down that sling is sweet. Mags 3+ were shot faster. Lowering rifle and bringing it up as smooth as I could, getting sight picture and squeeze. the eotech (my first) was great, and the 1 moa dot inside the ring was usefule for the take your time shots. the hardest part about shooting both eyes open was the flash from the tulip flash suppressor, producing a flame at about 10 o'clock, directly in line with my left eye's view of the target, maybe one of those flash suppressors that fires forward through 1/2 dozen ports...
At the end of mag 6, the barrel was very warm, and the oil-burnoff was smoking a bit (i disassembled the rifle this week, it was clean and lubed ready to go), by mag 8, no more smoking and it was even hotter. after mag 9, again shooting cleanly but briskly the whole front receiver was warm, and it transferred th warmth to the integral top rail. i emptied the 20 rounds from the Emag and shot out of a clear MSAR mag, and 200 rounds done. The heat had made it to the eotech's aluminum shield (since it clamps to the top rail). only the barrel was not touchable. the rail under the rifle was fine (since it was insulated by the polymer stock under the receiver). but the front of the top rail was very warm. it didn't affect me, but it got my attention (kinda like shooting many rounds through an HK P7, you get to know really well where the heat is.
anyways, gas system was on the low setting, no need for high. it worked fine. i took barrel out to cool before packing while i cleaned my brass.
overall: the sling/rifle/eotech combo is working. it just happens to fit/point where i look. very comfy. feeding/extracting all 100% (the xm193 is what i plan on using for carbine classes, etc, no desire for steel case ammo in 5.56 at this time, we'll see what the future holds if i go with the 7.62x39 barrel later). it's so compact, indoor tests (done safe and empty) were amazingly easy to do thanks to the size. the weight with even 30 rounds is negligible since the magazine and the weight are 6" from your shoulder. With the sling cinched down for proper support in shooting offhand, the mag changes were trickier, but practice will solve that. No muzzle rise, it was on target right after each shot.
short-term verdict: glad i bought, fills the role i needed filled and so far the rifle is boringly mechanical, doing it's job in a repeatable fashion, yet viscerally engaging; sure it's kinda fugly, but it fits so well, and the fit and finish is top notch.
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