New PARA rifle

[M-4VA]

Anybody had a chance to hold or shoot one yet?
http://para-usa.com/new/product_rifle_large.php?id=1&PHPSESSID=71b11462174af580ba2d484a4119b7a7

Your comments.

J.R.

[spamsammich]

It's just a Z-M.

[HiggsBoson]

I'm no expert, but I'll offer my $.02:

Are they just sourcing parts from the usual suspects so they can leverage their brand name? With prices starting at nearly TWICE what I paid for my most recent build (from top-tier parts), what do they offer to justify that premium?

A couple of things immediately stand out to me:

At first blush, it basically looks like a CMMG/Stag/etc with YHM furniture/sights. I note that a 1/9" twist often indicates it's really .223 chamber labeled as NATO, but I haven't the expertise or experience to know for sure in this case.


Action: Semi-automatic, DIGS™ (Delayed Impingement Gas System)

Can anyone tell me whether this "DIGS™" is a real thing or just marketing hype? I looked this up and it sounds intriguing...

From an article (http://www.tactical-life.com/online/guns-and-weapons/para-usa-ttr-556mm/) in Guns & Ammo:


The biggest difference between the Para TTR and other AR-style carbines is in the operating system. Licensed by ZM Weaponry, the Para TTR uses a trademarked Delayed Impingement Gas System (DIGS) designed by Allan Zitta to get the shooter back on target faster than any other rifle in its class. The system utilizes a unique modified gas key sporting a nickeled operating rod that runs through the upper receiver and over the barrel to the gas block where it sleeves the chrome-plated gas tube.

So this lets me know who really is making these things: ZM Weaponry (http://www.zmweapons.com/lr_rifles.htm). They want $1700 for just an upper. It also tells me the one distinguishing characteristic that this TTR has. I don't know that much about the DIGS system, but I would be wary of the incompatibility of parts with a standard AR. The article (http://www.tactical-life.com/online/guns-and-weapons/para-usa-ttr-556mm/) has more information about it, but in general I have to wonder why would someone not just buy a piston system instead? Does it really reduce the felt recoil that much? The only other benefit over a piston (that I can see) is the removal of the need for a receiver extension tube.

Anyone with more knowledge of this want to enlighten us? (I did a search on this, but it's not coming up with anything informative)

[DRich]

This isn't a "new" rifle...it's the same tired old ZM LR design that's been floating around for years. Every few years, another company tries to sell this abortion and all have failed spectacularly. Too many untested, proprietary parts and it has a reputation for spotty reliability.

IMO, it's the DeLorean of the firearms world. All flash with no substance. Might look good in pictures, but I wouldn't count on it in an emergency. (Not sure about compatibility with a flux capacitor...)