Next Generation Arms X7- first year

[Boss Hogg]

Mike, I think the first video of you with that gun came out about a year ago. Many have read your extensive review of it on Defense Review. Now that you've had it for a year, what are your thoughts on it? What strike you as the key benefits (and drawbacks if any)? Any idea on the round count and how the barrel is holding up?

What do you believe will be the significant improvements in the X8? (if you can disclose them at this time)

Thanks.

[MP01]

I've broken 10,000 rounds and it's still shooting well but I expect I'm 2/3 or more through the barrel life.
The up side
Overall it has been extraordinarily accurate and reliable and extremely shootable. The flared magazine well makes reloads very fast. The ceramic coating allows it to run for quite a long time on very little lubricant. It also makes it very easy to clean and very resistent to water and humidity damage. I can clean it with simple green, a brush and a hose in my yard in 15 minutes and it looks like it's brand new.
On the down side
These are very minimal: It has a lot of proprietary parts which makes it anti Franken-gun (something I know NGA prefers). The muzzle device is painfully loud for bystanders. The only one I really notice is the forend heats up and is very noticable because there is so much surface area contacting your hand. Gloves easily remedy this.
In balance it is and has been an outstanding rifle and truly a pleasure to shoot. The X7 is in the JP/Noveske price range but easily performs at that level.

The X8 will be a Stoner based rifle but truly a "next generation" Stoner. It will have a substantially different design that will retain all the things functionally and ergonomically that we all have grown to know and cherish about the standard Stoner platform but with less parts. I haven't had one in my hands yet but hopefully will soon.

[Vapor Trail]

Do you have any news or updates about the X8? NGA's website has been practically dead since early February, and I'm starting to worry that they've encountered some sort of problem. I'm really excited about an AR with a fully monolithic upper AND lower. Have you heard or seen anything, anything at all?

[MP01]

I think the website answers that question. I'll leave it to them to comment further.

http://www.nextgenerationarms.com/

[Vapor Trail]

SHOOT! The day I ask a question, they have the audacity to announce their disintegration. I am very upset. Mr. Pannone, if you hear anything about the X8 designs being transferred to another company, please let us know. I would hate to see a virtually full-monolithic AR go the way of the Dodo.

[MP01]

They plan to do that so stand-by. I'll post it as soon as I know and get cleared from NGA.

[Up1911fan]

Mike, any update's on NGA?

[MP01]

They're still working on that amongst other projects