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Thread: Hodge Defense--Best Carbine money can buy?

  1. #1
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    Hodge Defense--Best Carbine money can buy?



    Where do I begin…..?
    Hodge Defense systems is one of the best kept secrets in the industry. Jim Hodge started his small business a little over a year ago, but his name has been well known to the industry insider for as long as the GWOT has been waging. Jim has been in "public service" with various government organizations for more than 2 decades. During his spare time he had been building rigs for teammates, associates, and been heavily involved in assisting various manufactures in development and design to help better refine their products. So you still wonder who is Jim Hodge? HDSI is working with Alcoa Defense in refining the next generation forgings for both upper and lower receivers. So why would a multi-billion dollar company like Alcoa work with a small company from San Antion, Texas? You get the hint.


    Currently Alcoa and HDS are working on a new alloy compound and new forging die design to revolutionize on how we view and build M4/M16 systems. Along with a new handguard that is also due out in the near future. HDS will raise some serious eyebrows.



    The HDS AU-Mod1 arrived about three months ago. I am usually the type of person that will not write a report on a gun unless I can get some time on it. Over the past three months, I used this rifle in a Frank Proctor carbine class, few local training, and one LE carbine class, totaling about 3000 rounds. I only used Fireclean to break in the gun, and continue to lube the weapon with Fireclean.





    Out of the box, I took it to the range to check for accuracy, I set up the rifle with US Optics MR-10, 1.8-10x scope with an American Defense Scout Mount. Ammunition used for the accuracy started with Lake city M193 to zero and later move to Mk262Mod1 for the final accuracy test. Two TEN round groups were fired and the gun exhibited a 1-1.5MOA* with the Mk 262 and about 3-4MOA with the M193. Pretty standard affair with the accuracy. Later I mounted my EOTech EXPS and zero the gun once more for Proctor’s class.
    *I would love to be able to claim my awesome shooting skill, but truth be told, the two groups were shot by a local Metro PD officer with long range precision training… EOTech group was shot by none other than me…



    The build and finish of this weapon is akin to a Wilson 1911, that is the quality you see when you first handle the AU-Mod1. I chatted with a lot of folks about this rifle, most everyone seems to cringe at the 2000.00 price tag, but as soon as they handle the rifle, you begin to see why the price tag. Of course, this isn’t some extreme price, it is about on par with all the high end rifles on the market. Believe me, this is probably the best high-end rifles you can buy for your money. Just one quick example…. When you get a tight upper to lower fit, the take down pin and the pivot pin would be difficult to remove. But not so with the AU-Mod1, the fit of the upper and the lower on the AU-Mod1 is tight, but the pins would slide out with butter smooth effort. The safety clicks into place with a firm click but the travel feels like it's on bearings. The staking tab on the buffer tube castle nut is also being centered perfectly on the buffer tube, just a lot of little details that you would never realize unless you have the AU-Mod1 in your hands. They use enhanced pivot and takedown pins, bolt catches, and bar stock components to replace cast parts. The wonder of workmanship of this gun is seeing is definitely believing.



    About 3000 rounds fired over the past three months, mostly are all Winchester white box, I also tested with Wolf, Wolf Gold, PMC and some local reloads. There were no malfunctions of any kind, the gun ran as it should. I did not clean the weapon after each session, I just lube the gun prior to the start of the day with Fireclean and never experienced any problems.



    Is AU-Mod1 worth the 2000.00+ price tag? I would whole heartedly believe it is worth every penny. From the components used on the weapon to the unrelenting workmanship, and the industry respect he has earned, this is the Porsche of M4 carbine. The HDSI rifle is also used by some of the industry heavyweights as their work gun, as well by people who work on teams, units, groups, and agencies, etc....you get what I mean.

    Price is something you have to justify to yourself, but if you are in the market for a high end carbine, if you want the best, look no further than the HDS AU-Mod1…. It is a choice carbine.


    Approved by Jesse Jane

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    Ok, who's Jesse Jane and what brand is the safety selector? Nice write up too. Thanks

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    Porn star

    Badger Ordnance
    IAW site rules, I work for Magpul Industries

    This is a personal account and the opinions expressed may not reflect those of Magpul Industries

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    Nice write-up, Chen.
    I guess KAC, Noveske, LaRue (and the like) have been put on notice.
    Life is full of choices. I choose Noveske.

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    Lots of reviews to be found using terms like "attention to detail" and "best", yet they don't list any real specs. Unknown barrel, lots of readily available parts that anyone can get, $2200, I don't think so. Maybe the extra is for the shamrock engraved over the charging handle, "restricted" engraving, the huge History Channel looking logo, and the tear drop FA.

    There's a long thread about prices dropping, BCM has a huge sale with free BCGs, and this carbine offers what? over others available for half the price or what I can build. I don't see it.
    Last edited by DWood; 08-21-14 at 15:12.
    Go in peace, but be prepared for violence.

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    Damn... can't wait to see the pics at home. Filtered at work.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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    I will be interested to hear more info on it and look forward to feedback from the BTDT types for the AR platform far better informed than I. Does not actually seem that expensive compared to other top tier ARs no?
    Last edited by WillBrink; 08-21-14 at 15:24.
    - Will

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    “Those who do not view armed self defense as a basic human right, ignore the mass graves of those who died on their knees at the hands of tyrants.”

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    I had a chance to sit down and pick Jims brain at warrior expo.

    The man knows what hes talking about. He understands why things need to be a certain way.

    I will be purchasing a rifle from him eventually.

    It is definitely a top tier product.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by DWood View Post
    Lots of reviews to be found using terms like "attention to detail" and "best", yet they don't list any real specs. Unknown barrel, lots of readily available parts that anyone can get, $2200, I don't think so. Maybe the extra is for the shamrock engraved over the charging handle, "restricted" engraving, the huge History Channel looking logo, and the tear drop FA.

    There's a long thread about prices dropping, BCM has a huge sale with free BCGs, and this carbine offers what? over others available for half the price or what I can build. I don't see it.
    BCM builds a great carbine and so does many other Mfg in the industry, that being said, buying a Hodge is like buying a Wilson, or Ed Brown, both builds a great 1911, it is just what you are looking for in a gun.

    Many have stated the same exact statement as why the 2000 price tag and i can build the same exact gun... but once I show them the AU-Mod1 and the mind begin to change. It is like looking at a Wilson CQB, it looks much like any other 1911 you see from Springfield until you dive into the detail....Hodge is such a gun.

    You really can't compare Hodge to BCM, it is like comparing a Nissan GTR to a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Both go like hell, both will hit 60 under 3 seconds, but one cost 75% more. those that appreciate the Porsche attention to detail and the fine workmanship will buy a Porsche, but those that just want to get there at the same time and speed as the 911 can settle for a GTR.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by SMGLee View Post
    BCM builds a great carbine and so does many other Mfg in the industry, that being said, buying a Hodge is like buying a Wilson, or Ed Brown, both builds a great 1911, it is just what you are looking for in a gun.

    Many have stated the same exact statement as why the 2000 price tag and i can build the same exact gun... but once I show them the AU-Mod1 and the mind begin to change. It is like looking at a Wilson CQB, it looks much like any other 1911 you see from Springfield until you dive into the detail....Hodge is such a gun.

    You really can't compare Hodge to BCM, it is like comparing a Nissan GTR to a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Both go like hell, both will hit 60 under 3 seconds, but one cost 75% more. those that appreciate the Porsche attention to detail and the fine workmanship will buy a Porsche, but those that just want to get there at the same time and speed as the 911 can settle for a GTR.
    OK, in what way is this rifle like buying a Porsche instead of a Nissan. You say it, but don't list any facts. What is the barrel, what is the BCG, and what is special about the forged receivers? The specs are not listed and all the rave reviews say nothing real about the parts, just how great the gun is. What additional attention to detail fitting them all together is anything like a custom 1911? What sets this gun apart? You have not listed anything tangible other than the safety and take down/pivot pins. The staking on the castle nut? Really? Is that what sets it apart? The rail, stock, pistol grip, and trigger (not even a real Geissele) are all common items. There is no real fitting to be done unless you want to true the receiver at the barrel (which is mainly uneccessary). Do they do that? Spec parts get installed the same way on all ARs. What do they do that is different?
    Last edited by DWood; 08-21-14 at 15:48.
    Go in peace, but be prepared for violence.

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