New Cartridge Developments and Implications for Dismounted Infantry Soldiers

[stanc]

I have the MGI tool-less Quick-Barrel Change system, so all I need are the barrel/bolt combos, and mags.

Did a little searching, and found this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WqacFmzP68

I thought, "Wow! That's exactly what I want!" I love the fast, easy takedown and assembly. Best of all, everything -- barrel, upper, lower -- fits into a briefcase for discreet transportation. Even though it's contrary to my dislike of the AR-15, I decided that was the way I wanted to go.

So, today I drove to the large indoor range that I knew (from a previous phone search) had a Kalifornia-legal, M4-clone made by Franklin Armory. Figured I'd buy a complete gun so as to have something to shoot while waiting for MGI upper receiver, extra barrels, and other parts.

Man, did I ever get a rude awakening. I discovered that I was unable to pull the bolt rearward even halfway, no matter how hard I pulled. Tried a Ruger Mini-30, with little more success. Even tried an old M1 carbine, and just barely managed to get the bolt all the way to the rear, but then couldn't hold it there long enough to press down the tiny lock button.

I hadn't realized just how much affect this darned MS has had. Always knew it was a problem, of course, but I always thought that I could still handle and shoot a rifle, just that it'd be a bit difficult. It turns out I was greatly underestimating the situation.

It looks like the only way I could get a round chambered in an AR-15 would be to place the butt on the floor and push down on the T-handle with my foot. But somehow I doubt that would go over very well with range safety officers and other shooters. LOL

There is an up side to this, however. Since I now know for certain that I won't be getting a Grendel AR, I can stop bugging John, Bill, and everybody else about the Wolf FMJ ammo.