View Full Version : KAC or build? Did I go wrong?
After 11 years of having ARs - 2 complete rifles and 4+ that I've put together myself, just bought a 16" KAC SR-15. Should get here (after transfer, etc.) next week.
Factory built ARs, I've had an LWRCI M6A3 (which I kept for about a year) and currently have an LWRCI UCIW (first NFA item). Other than that, I've mostly been putting components together and using BCM uppers.
Currently have the 8" barrel UCIW, a MK18 clone with a centurion arms upper, and a 14.5" BCM build that I've been using with 77gr SMK OTM for distance.
Got the bug to add another AR to the stable, and KAC seemed to fit the bill after doing a lot of reading. Maybe it's a little bit of buyer's remorse, but will the 16" KAC do anything the BCM won't?
Maybe it's a little bit of buyer's remorse, but will the 16" KAC do anything the BCM won't?
I came to the conclusion that no, the SR15 won't do anything a Colt or BCM won't do (ambi features aside). It just does all of those things "better". Mine shot soft as hell, was a laser beam, had a good trigger, fantastic BUIS and was 100% reliable.
Five_Point_Five_Six
07-20-20, 15:14
Unless you went in debt buying it or made your kids eat saltine crackers and bologna every day for a year to save up for it, you probably won't regret the decision but time will tell.
I know people who've spent money on a KAC and Radian and were ultimately disappointed, but I think their expectations weren't realistic.
Enjoy your new carbine and let us know how it goes.
You’ll dig it. Great gun. It’s quickly becoming the one I grab first.
So many great things about buying an SR15. It already has a great trigger, premium BCG, LMT SOPMOD stock, longer gas system, barrel.........
After buying a great base gun, you still have to do all these things and would cost just as much as your SR15. IMHO, the only upgrade you can do that might help ( only if you run suppressed) is a A5 buffer system. Mine wouldn’t lock back with weak springed 20 rd Colt mags. Did fine with pmags but was not 100% with 20 Colts.
Then if you ever need to sell because you need money, it will sell much faster that your custom builds. I have custom builds that are awesome and built from nothing but the best parts, but try and resell, very tuff.
Most never regret buying top notch gear, doubt you will either.
Congrats on a smart buy.
PB
everready73
07-21-20, 08:01
Great gun you wont regret it.
FYI- Newer sr15 does not come with the LMT SOPMOD anymore. They come with a Magpul SL-S i believe.
How could you possibly go wrong buying a KAC SR-15? Great company, great rifle. No regrets. Enjoy.
KAC is a solid choice, and when you figure the price vs what you are getting, you are coming out ahead IMHO.
The only thing people ever complain about with KAC is the price. Unless you're broke now, or you go broke soon, you won't worry about it.
The night Obama get re-elected I when down to the LGS for a consolation prize. I was choosing between a BCM EAG Tactical, which was nice at the time, and URX3.1 SR-15. Nothing against the BCM, but I'm glad I got the SR-15. Since I've added the SR15 11.5, and an LPR upper. The mod 2 LPR is my absolute favorite 5.56 to shoot. If I had to run away to the woods and could only carry one 5.56, that's the one I'd grab. No question.
And as has been mentioned, in the off chance you are disappointed, premium factory builds hold value much better than premium home builds. I'm sure with your experience you probably know that, but to me it's always a point worth reiterating. Enjoy.
There are complete rifles that I might criticize for the price and hype, but not the KAC.
I always build my own ARs these days, but then I loose the benefit of the holistic testing, QC, and support. However, I feel comfortable after building quite a few rifles over the years that I can tune, trouble shoot and repair them out of my stocks of parts. Funny thing is they never break. Using common sense, quality components and paying attention to assembly and fitment can result in a good rifle.
That said, If you buy a complete rifle and then start swapping out parts, you have lost the advantage. I'm not talking about grips and stocks.
In the future, when I get to a free state, I will be looking for a complete rifle as a suppressor host. We'll see if I can find what I want, which is a problem with built rifles.
Anyway, congratulations on your purchase!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200728/ce1e6b378a0f133f7a3e1762d361c008.jpg
Rifle arrived today. Threw an optic on it. Looking forward to getting it out to the range one of these days.
Did you put on that grip or did it come with it?
Did you put on that grip or did it come with it?
Came with it. Wish it'd come with the SL-S stock, but not a big deal to switch it out.
Doesnt have the LMT SOPMOD either. So it just might be Magpulled? Interesting huh
I just checked Gunboker and there are ones NIB with that set up.
PB
Coal Dragger
07-28-20, 18:39
That’s how mine came, with MagPul furniture.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200728/ce1e6b378a0f133f7a3e1762d361c008.jpg
Rifle arrived today. Threw an optic on it. Looking forward to getting it out to the range one of these days.
You’ll dig it. Great rifle
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/3b0cc3041c61fed62161cd1d2b669a6c.jpg
Non-potato photo
Doesnt have the LMT SOPMOD either. So it just might be Magpulled? Interesting huh
I just checked Gunboker and there are ones NIB with that set up.
PB
If you go to the factory website, it is consistent with what's in his picture. Not everyone needs nor wants a SOPMOD or a specific Magul options so, for consistency and I assume volume, an industry-standard was picked. The LPR's come with a different stock from the factory FWIW.
The only thing people ever complain about with KAC is the price. Unless you're broke now, or you go broke soon, you won't worry about it.
The night Obama get re-elected I when down to the LGS for a consolation prize. I was choosing between a BCM EAG Tactical, which was nice at the time, and URX3.1 SR-15. Nothing against the BCM, but I'm glad I got the SR-15. Since I've added the SR15 11.5, and an LPR upper. The mod 2 LPR is my absolute favorite 5.56 to shoot. If I had to run away to the woods and could only carry one 5.56, that's the one I'd grab. No question.
And as has been mentioned, in the off chance you are disappointed, premium factory builds hold value much better than premium home builds. I'm sure with your experience you probably know that, but to me it's always a point worth reiterating. Enjoy.
My LPR factory rifle is by far my favorite. It is so easy to shoot, even a hack like me can do good work on the range (in my case a pasture with cattle I need to protect).
Belmont31R
07-31-20, 21:40
The E3 bolt is the primary reason to get a KAC. You can do everything else they do besides that. Its not like people don't know what gas port sizes they use or what the Mod 2 gas system does or what their buffer weights are. At some point someone in other businesses said F it and keep pumping out what should be $800-1200 guns for $1500-2000+
The Sig MCX is the only platform I can see derailing anything.
The E3 bolt is the primary reason to get a KAC. You can do everything else they do besides that. Its not like people don't know what gas port sizes they use or what the Mod 2 gas system does or what their buffer weights are. At some point someone in other businesses said F it and keep pumping out what should be $800-1200 guns for $1500-2000+
The Sig MCX is the only platform I can see derailing anything.
I have previously owned what many people consider "good" factory AR-15 rifles. There is more to the KAC SR-15 than what you stated IMHO.
Does anyone else use their 'style' of gas system? Yes, 'game guns' can shoot soft but, a KAC SR-15 isn't a game gun. It isn't just about playing with gas port sizes and buffer weights.
Does anyone else use their 'style' of gas system? ... It isn't just about playing with gas port sizes and buffer weights.
This is becoming a less compelling proposition, with Geissele using a lengthened gas system on complete rifles and BRT offering optimized stripped barrels at multiple barrel lengths.
My statement isn’t a knock on KAC, just your specific argument. BRT put together an upper for me with their barrel and gas system but a KAC URX4.
Belmont31R
08-02-20, 02:39
I have previously owned what many people consider "good" factory AR-15 rifles. There is more to the KAC SR-15 than what you stated IMHO.
Does anyone else use their 'style' of gas system? Yes, 'game guns' can shoot soft but, a KAC SR-15 isn't a game gun. It isn't just about playing with gas port sizes and buffer weights.
So what else is it about? If I had to say anything else it would be the URX lockup to the upper, and the combat trigger is pretty sweet.
I still think the E3 bolt is what what's best about an SR15, and I put over 20k rounds through my 'Mod 0' gun with a 3T. Now I own a Mod 2 and its even better. My EMC was amazing but the only thing stopping other companies from making just as good of guns is their own reluctance to step out there and innovate.
I didn't say anything about game guns.
KAC certianly has an advantage with innovation. Opinions may vary but, I put the SR-15 and SR-25 up there with the Barrett M82/M107 for really advancing state of the art in semi-automatic rifles.
KAC certianly has an advantage with innovation. Opinions may vary but, I put the SR-15 and SR-25 up there with the Barrett M82/M107 for really advancing state of the art in semi-automatic rifles.
Agreed.
Renegade0100
08-03-20, 22:36
Seems kinda silly that they put a basic MOE stock on a $2500+ factory rifle. They could've at least given you the CTR lol.
Nonetheless, KAC and Radian are the top dogs in the AR world. They don't do anything a BCM can't do though, it just depends on what you want and what your expectations are. Personally, I'd put the money in a MCX as it offers more substantial differences in an AR form-factor, but YMMV.
There are certainly other competitors in similar form factors if you move away from strictly AR-15 options. Europe especially has some interesting platforms to consider.
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