View Full Version : Knight's Armament wins UK rifle contract
Knight’s Armament KS-1 selected as the new Ranger/Royal Marine rifle for the UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOUPB4bb8d0
The Dumb Gun Collector
09-06-23, 20:24
Congratulations to KAC. That is one heck of a feather in their cap.
Knight’s Armament KS-1 selected as the new Ranger/Royal Marine rifle for the UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOUPB4bb8d0
Supporting countries who don’t support the rights to bear arms, that’s great.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Supporting countries who don’t support the rights to bear arms, that’s great.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As opposed to supporting…what countries? There’s only so much gubmint contracts to go around, and Americans are extremely cheap when it comes to paying taxes for anything. I guess they could sell to Myanmar, but a country with generally common history and values seems like a better option.
The official British announcement:
"An initial £15 million order of 1,620 AIW systems has been placed, with options to procure up to 10,000 systems – totalling £90 million - under the contract over the next decade. The systems will initially be fielded to the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) who operate in complex, high threat environments."
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/90-million-contract-equips-armed-forces-with-advanced-new-rifle
Did they select the gun in the video thumbnail? Smart for KAC... they'll get the contract to replace the Mlok with PIC rail in a few years too when the Brits figure out what we're starting to figure out. :cool:
Knight is going to need another warehouse for his car collection!
hotrodder636
09-07-23, 10:19
Did they select the gun in the video thumbnail? Smart for KAC... they'll get the contract to replace the Mlok with PIC rail in a few years too when the Brits figure out what we're starting to figure out. :cool:
Knight is going to need another warehouse for his car collection!
I have been out of the loop for a while...what is being 'figured out' regarding MLOK leading to a return of the PIC rail?
Adrenaline_6
09-07-23, 13:48
Interesting that they went with the 13.7" barrel.
Interesting that they went with the 13.7" barrel.
It’s the shortest barrel supported by that particular model of rail, which is kinda the optimal length of URX4s. I’ve got a 13.9” in mine, so not too surprising.
Knight’s Armament KS-1 selected as the new Ranger/Royal Marine rifle for the UK
So their guys get a better AR than our guys do?! I'm half serious but that's quite the premium AR they're getting, made in the US too.
Did they select the gun in the video thumbnail? Smart for KAC... they'll get the contract to replace the Mlok with PIC rail in a few years too when the Brits figure out what we're starting to figure out. :cool:
Knight is going to need another warehouse for his car collection!
No one’s figuring out anything. MLOK is largely the future, even if I still prefer Picatinny. The KAC URX4 is stiffer, thicker, and probably still lighter than the G Mk16, and is probably the best MLok rail for SOF warfighters.
Edit: I just heard that its a new version of the URX, so maybe I’ll be eating crow.
WillieThom
09-07-23, 16:10
So their guys get a better AR than our guys do?! I'm half serious but that's quite the premium AR they're getting, made in the US too.
I almost typed this same thought-process out last night. They are getting a better weapon/system (arguably) than their SAS/SBS brethren, as well as it being better (arguably) than what our Rangers are using and what our guys at Bragg and Dam Neck are using.
I remember the Internet whispers about Dell-Duh Force replacing their 416s with KAC guns around the same time the SEALs replaced their 416s with Noveske guns, but I don’t know and have not heard anything more about it. None of it was official anyway, just the typical Geardo Weirdo internet forum hub-bub… but I still followed and have a passing interest in it.
Either way, good on KAC, and an interesting development.
So their guys get a better AR than our guys do?! I'm half serious but that's quite the premium AR they're getting, made in the US too.
I suppose after decades of SA80/SA80A2s, they've earned it.
I almost typed this same thought-process out last night. They are getting a better weapon/system (arguably) than their SAS/SBS brethren, as well as it being better (arguably) than what our Rangers are using and what our guys at Bragg and Dam Neck are using.
I remember the Internet whispers about Dell-Duh Force replacing their 416s with KAC guns around the same time the SEALs replaced their 416s with Noveske guns, but I don’t know and have not heard anything more about it. None of it was official anyway, just the typical Geardo Weirdo internet forum hub-bub… but I still followed and have a passing interest in it.
Either way, good on KAC, and an interesting development.
SAS has been using L119A1's for quite a while and since 2016 or so they got L119A2's which is LMT monolithic license built by Colt Canada so not exactly junk.
So their guys get a better AR than our guys do?! I'm half serious but that's quite the premium AR they're getting, made in the US too.
Come on Will, our guys are gettting Sig 6.8 SPEAR's.
Come on Will, our guys are gettting Sig 6.8 SPEAR's.
That was funny and sad all at the same time.
WillieThom
09-07-23, 21:59
SAS has been using L119A1's for quite a while and since 2016 or so they got L119A2's which is LMT monolithic license built by Colt Canada so not exactly junk.
Ah… true. I had forgotten about that.
crosseyedshooter
09-07-23, 22:15
Interesting that they didn't go with a piston gun and the Spear LT was one of the contenders. It seems like there's a convergence on similar rifle packages with low-back pressure suppressor, variable power optics, piggyback red dot, etc.
I wonder if any deficiencies were found in the other submissions or the KAC simply performed better against the requirements?
Come on Will, our guys are gettting Sig 6.8 SPEAR's.
Hopefully that does not end up being a step backward. I don't know enough about the SPEAR to comment one way or another, I do do it curious of all the AR producers we went with Sig. The mil procurement works in mysterious ways some times...
Interesting that they didn't go with a piston gun and the Spear LT was one of the contenders. It seems like there's a convergence on similar rifle packages with low-back pressure suppressor, variable power optics, piggyback red dot, etc.
I wonder if any deficiencies were found in the other submissions or the KAC simply performed better against the requirements?
As was the HK 416 I believe, which some US SOF use now. Ironic sorta.
I think the flow through low back pressure suppressors are taking away the main advantage of the piston guns. A lighter rifle just as reliable with fewer parts for the win. I suspect a big selling point for the KAC was their suppressor, you know that unobtainium for civilians one. Curious to see if KAC license's the rifle production to Colt Canada.
crosseyedshooter
09-08-23, 09:02
Quite the who's who of ARs and accessories: KAC, Vortex, Aimpoint, Reptilia, Magpul...let the clone builds commence!
https://soldiersystems.net/2023/09/07/edgar-brothers-awarded-contract-to-supply-alternative-individual-weapon-system-to-uk-mod/
https://i.imgur.com/aMu57hX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hBXTsxN.png
Looking at the pictures I noticed the barrel has the golf ball dimples, I want one of those, damn you KAC!
Congratulations to KAC. That is one heck of a feather in their cap.
Yeah it is, major contracts for major players is HUGE.
Nicely done KAC crew!
Failure2Stop
09-08-23, 10:00
Curious to see if KAC license's the rifle production to Colt Canada.
https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/white-guy-blinking.jpg?quality=85&strip=all
What?
What?
Jack does KAC have the production to support something like this? If so I am impressed.
crosseyedshooter
09-08-23, 10:44
Looking at the pictures I noticed the barrel has the golf ball dimples, I want one of those, damn you KAC!
Also, the Vortex 1-10x doesn't quite look like the Razor Gen 3. I wonder when those will hit the civilian market?
Jack does KAC have the production to support something like this? If so I am impressed.
Maybe they have new CNC machines and other gizmos inbound for expansion!
Failure2Stop
09-08-23, 11:25
Jack does KAC have the production to support something like this? If so I am impressed.
We knew what this opportunity volume was well before submission, and our ability to meet contract numbers along with our other government obligations was thoroughly vetted well before award.
And UK not requiring Commonwealth production, interesting.
Adrenaline_6
09-08-23, 12:14
Looking at the pictures I noticed the barrel has the golf ball dimples, I want one of those, damn you KAC!
https://i.imgur.com/kmJ6sk7.jpg
That compact mount, optic and red dot setup is very interesting.
With a couple exceptions (Magpul), it’s a veritable who’s who of the most expensive options available for any given item.
1. Rifle
2. Rail covers
3. Foregrip
4. Optic (not the most expensive, but a definite inverse relationship to value)
5. Secondary optic
6. QD socket
I have a a URX4, railscales m-lok covers, Reptilia optic mounts, Reptilia QD sockets, Aimpoint optic…but dang. On scale to equip full military units? Oof. No, full on “ouch.” And the weight on the optic system without even adding laser systems? I dunno, I didn’t serve so others can comment, but it seems like they arriving quickly at “pounds” over ounces.
Then again, I guess the US Marines didn’t make that different of a choice. Only heavier and not as nice.
I like everything about this thing but the stock. But it seems on the whole to be excessive.
hotbiggun42
09-08-23, 18:43
The UK cant build their own AR?
WillieThom
09-08-23, 19:34
Supporting countries who don’t support the rights to bear arms, that’s great.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The UK cant build their own AR?
I hate to use the term “Karen” or refer to anyone on here as such… but holy shit, men.
I love that the FX 9000 is included in the picture of the simunitions suite.
hotbiggun42
09-08-23, 20:18
I hate to use the term “Karen” or refer to anyone on here as such… but holy shit, men.
More of a Ken.
WillieThom
09-08-23, 23:52
More of a Ken.
I like it. Less for me to type.
Can't say that I've ever heard of "Rail Scales" before. Something new?
Can't say that I've ever heard of "Rail Scales" before. Something new?
They’ve been around for years. I’ve got a set for one AR, and they’re quite nice.
Whill there be a civilian version of this AR for people in the US--either as an ABR or with legal barrel length?
A million years ago I did an exchange with the RMCs, I reached out to a guy I know about this. His reply? "We'll shoot the piss out of anything they give us, we're not very picky."
Failure2Stop
09-18-23, 10:36
A million years ago I did an exchange with the RMCs, I reached out to a guy I know about this. His reply? "We'll shoot the piss out of anything they give us, we're not very picky."
They decided to be very picky on this one.
This was a competitive selection, not a sale.
Coal Dragger
09-18-23, 11:43
Congrats to Jack and the team at Knights.
That is a very well thought out package. I’d love to see a complete carbine or at least an upper for the US civilian market. That one’s totally worth the tax stamps.
Congrats to KAC, I'm sure this was a pain in the arse to win. Good to see a US company do well.
Showing off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxd7Jc-HcGM
crosseyedshooter
09-19-23, 12:01
Showing off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxd7Jc-HcGM
From now on, whenever I read "Knights Armament" and "Armalite," I'm going to do it with an English accent in my head. :D
What type mag is that in the rifle?
From now on, whenever I read "Knights Armament" and "Armalite," I'm going to do it with an English accent in my head. :D
“Me Little Armalite”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cw7nrIoo3c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBOF8NhUrF8
Come on Will, our guys are gettting Sig 6.8 SPEAR's.
Are we the only army going with the 6.8? Makes one question that decision even more.
Are we the only army going with the 6.8? Makes one question that decision even more.
I doubt anyone else will adopt 6.8 unless it proves out.
“Me Little Armalite”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cw7nrIoo3c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBOF8NhUrF8
Oof, that is definitely not an English accent
crosseyedshooter
10-27-23, 11:43
Some more footage; the Vortex Optic model is "Eleanor"?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee8LvSwDSEY
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