10 Ten Criteria For Your Perfect Carbine...

[SteyrAUG]

If you could build it, what would you want.

1. AR-18 / 180 short stroke gas piston.
2. AR-15 magazine / Pmags
3. Sheet metal stampings replaced by polymers with metal stiffeners.
4. Heavy duty polymer furniture.
5. Extended top mounted rail for BUIS and optics.
6. Adjustable gas system for suppressor use.
7. Hybrid AK bolt head / AR-18 bolt carrier.
8. QD barrel or uppers in 10", 14.5", 16" and 20" lengths.
9. 5.56 NATO 1/7 twist.
10. 1.5 MOA or better.

I know I pretty much described a lot of what the Magpul Masada was supposed to be and what the ACR wasn't. But I think correctly made a basic 5.56 carbine can be produced that weights less than 8 lbs. I'm actually still a fan of my XCR even though it is an unproven concept rifle, I wonder what could be done if the design was thoroughly tested, evaluated and improved.

Until then I guess I just have to keep going back and forth between my Colts and SIGs. God knows HK never got their XM-8 / G36 idea into the "no compromise" zone.

[ramairthree]

1- AR mags
2- true AR lower ergonomics with regards to safety, mag release
3- piston
4- true folding stock
5- non recip lateral charging handle
6- shooting hand ergonomic bolt hold open/release latch
7- non tool adjustable gas block
8- built in QD sling attachments
9- FF rail/integrated barrel with QD capability
10- AR standard for sights/height

The SIG 556 does not have true AR ergs, I have tried it
Nor HK, etc.

[ramairthree]

1- AR mags
2- true AR lower ergonomics with regards to safety, mag release
3- piston
4- true folding stock
5- non recip lateral charging handle
6- shooting hand ergonomic bolt hold open/release latch
7- non tool adjustable gas block
8- built in QD sling attachments
9- FF rail/integrated barrel with QD capability
10- AR standard for sights/height

The SIG 556 does not have true AR ergs, I have tried it
Nor HK, etc.

[Leuthas]

Maybe this one won't be semantics around the word, "piston."

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Two handed operation. Ambi controls and bolt control from the strong side hand. Like an Ambi AR with a BAD lever, but without potential to screw up the function itself. Sometimes I'd like three hands to run malfs on an AR.

[JoshNC]

Steyr I like your specs.

[Grand58742]

Call me cray-cray, but I like the front charging handle with the ADCOR Bear. So...

1. BEAR Front charging handle system
2. AR Mags
3. B5 SOPMOD stock or similar
4. Stock trigger should have the feeling of the ALG ACT, however, Geissele SSA-E is preferred
5. Full length handguards and mono-rail, round type with the same diameter as the Midwest Industries SS series. Keymod or M-LOK, don't care, but built in sling swivel points.
6. Ergo Suregrip
7. PWS FSC Muzzle device
8. SOCOM weight barrel without the M203 cuts, 16 inch is fine

Really all I have for the moment.

[Aries144]

1. Minimum 2 MOA extreme spread with premium ammunition (as in, repeatable composite 30 shot groups 2 MOA)
2. Weight under 6.5 lbs unloaded
3. Adjustable gas for suppressed use
4. With 16.1" barrel, can be folded or partially disassembled into a package no larger than 17.5"x9"x4.5" that can be made ready for use in 10 seconds or less with a pre-inserted 20 round magazine
5. Can meet or exceed M4 performance in mud/dust test
6. AR15 magazine
7. Rails for optics/IR devices
8. Can be fully serviced with hand tools only
9. Length of pull adjustable from 10.5" to 15"
10. Safety and bolt catch/release mirrored and can be manipulated with firing hand without breaking firing grip

[BoringGuy45]

Pretty much all of Steyr's criteria with a few add-ons:

1. I'd add a 12.5" barrel as an option in addition to the lengths he listed.
2. Multiple grips available for lower receiver
3. 7075 aluminum lower
4. M-LOK handguards
5. FAL-style charging handle

[VIP3R 237]

The Remington version of the ACR is imo about as close to a perfect carbine as you can get, too bad the remdef upgrades never trickled to the ACR, and of course it's the freedom group.

The SiG MCX I think could've been that as well if it would've had full ambi controls and better accuracy reports.

Full ambi controls
Sub 7lb weight
Stanag mags
Ar-esque controls
Modular design
Folding stock
Adjustable settings for suppressor use
Sub 2 moa accuracy
Easily serviceable
Short stroke external piston
Quick change barrel

[Bulletdog]

1. Pinned low-pro gas block. No set screws. No fixed front sight in my way.
2. Mid length gas system with H2 buffer.
3. I like the ALG trigger. SSA is nice too, but I prefer a crisp ALG.
4. Pencil barrel. It makes the whole carbine feel lighter and better balanced to me, and I'm not going full auto or attaching a grenade launcher any time soon.
5. SOPMOD stock.
6. Ergo grip. Been doing them all this way because my first lower was an LMT. Its what I learned on and it feels most comfortable.
7. RDS, preferably Aimpoint. I prefer the Comp M4 primarily because of the AA battery and long battery life. I do love my Elcan too, despite the weight.
8. Go ahead and make fun of me, but I like my Mugpul plastic folding back up sights. I won't be hammering any nails with my carbine anyway…
9. I like my quad rails. Usually DD lite rails. Call me old-fashioned… This and the SOPMOD give me my QD sling points.
10. TLR-1.