Current Opinions on the Beretta ARX-100

[Auto426]

I'm currently in the market for a non-AR platform 5.56mm rifle, and I'm asking this because I may have a shot a being able to get a Beretta ARX-100 for around $1,300. Not quite as cheap as when Botach was blowing them out for $1100, but much better than the $1700 price tags I'm seeing most places today. However, it does sort of worry me that the hype for this gun has pretty much completely dissipated since it's initial launch. In fact I haven't even really seen anyone discussing the gun lately, hence this new thread.

So I'm looking to see if anyone has any current opinions on this gun now that it has been out in the wild for a while now. Would it be worth it at $1300? Or should I pocket the money and move on to another platform? I was really leaning towards picking up an MCX with these funds, but right now the temptation to not pass up what seems like a really good deal is strong.

[CCK]

I love mine.

https://www.m4carbine.net/attachment...0&d=1428173321


I've changed the sling to a magpul ms1 and the flashlight mount to a monkey bar and moved the front site all the way forward but you get the idea. 2K rounds through it so far and no issues that aren't attributable to me.

Chris

[Aries144]

I don't know what you're looking for, so I'll share my observations.

The ARX' bolt release is more conveniently placed than on a stock AR15 or SCAR. The rifle is only 17.5" long with the barrel removed and stock folded. It can be reassembled and made ready in roughly ten seconds, making it very convenient for discretely hiking past the hippy trails to your favorite remote shooting spot. My ARX100, with thread-on suppressor attached to the barrel, fits inside a 3 day pack. With no can, it can fit in a camelbak day pack.

A few people, myself included, have complained about accuracy with their ARX100s compared to AR15s. Other people get accuracy comparable to an AR15. Beretta dismisses the issue, blaming it on the quick detach barrel design. I think that's BS, that the QD barrel design itself is incapable of adding more than 1 MOA to group sizes (probably a lot less than that- it's a clever design), and that any accuracy issues lie with barrel quality standards that are poor compared to military-grade AR15 barrels from someone like BCM.

I can't get my example to shoot better than 4 MOA with any ammunition. Other people get 2 MOA out of them. Not many people shoot and record groups with military rifles, so we really don't know how rare my example is. You do need to know that Beretta does not consider 4-5 MOA accuracy with match ammunition to warrant repair or replacement. Factory replacement barrels are $450 should you choose to roll the dice at a better barrel.

[Auto426]

Well my opportunity at the $1300 ARX has come and gone, and frankly I don't like the gun enough to drop the $1700 - $1800 that most other outlets are asking for. Thanks for the responses so far.

I don't know what you're looking for, so I'll share my observations.

Mainly what i was looking for was exactly what you posted. There was quite a bit of talk about these guns when they were first released, but now i can barely find anyone discussing them at all. I'd mainly just like to see what owners currently think of them now that they have had some time to put their guns to use.

[K.O.A.M.]

I like mine, but I bought it at the Botach blow it out price of $1100. I am currently awaiting my tax stamp so I can get my factory 10" barrel assembly out of the armory and put it on.

I have a few hundred rounds through it. The light weight means more recoil than the AR. The trigger is okay. The sling mounting points are kind of jacked up and there really isn't anywhere to put QD sockets. You want the factory extended charging handle, which is a sleeve for the existing handle. The extended handle makes it much more comfortable to operate. The BUIS are way too high and should be replaced. I use an Aimpoint CompM2 on mine.

If I were a lefty, I'd shoot it more because of the ease of switching ejection. I'm awaiting my tax stamp back (hopefully February) before I start shooting it again.

[Apoptotic]

BLUF: I love this rifle.

Variety being the spice of life and stuff, I decided two weeks ago that it was time for me to acquire an "exotic" 5.56, i.e. not an AR.

My criteria for this or any other firearm purchase:
1. Reliability/robustness that equals or exceeds that of the AR platform
2. Not picky with ammo or magazines
3. Easy to maintain
4. Support from manufacturer/aftermarket; manufacturer reputation
5. Cost
6. Has been successfully utilized in combat
7. Looks sweet with a full length BCM Vertical Foregrip
*only # 1 is listed in order of importance- the rest are numbered to reflect the order in which I thought of them*

Nice to have-

+ Modularity within the platform family, e.g. easy caliber conversions
+ Precision > 2 MOA

With all of this in mind I settled on the ARX 100. The SCAR 16 was a very close second but ultimately lost because there was no instant love connection for me when I cradled a sample SCAR. This and it costs a lot more. That said, I have no doubt that a SCAR will eventually follow me home one day. And a CZ Bren for that matter.

I know that just about everthing I have written heretofore constitute fighting words for many. I do not wish there to be a pissing contest between platforms; my post is simply an explanation of how this one guy came to buy an ARX.

Now that I've had it for two weeks I feel comfortable sharing some of my observations.

SAD FACE-

+ A2 pistol grip like finger rest. During the invasion of Iraq, I developed a nasty infection between the ring and middle fingers on my dominant hand because of this "finger rest." The issue black leather work gloves that I had then caused more issues than they solved so I didn't wear them. Now that gloves are so ubiquitous this isn't such a big concern. Even so, I shaved my finger rest down to nothing.

+ No 14.5" barrel offered. I dislike 16" barrels. Next week I'm sending the barrel assembly to ADCO for a chop, pin, and weld. I did purchase a 10.5" barrel assembly from Beretta but had it sent to family in Florida to hold for me until I relocate; currently I live in one of the occupied territories of the North East.

+ The selector level is too short by just a few mm. I understand however the neccesity of this to have ambi controls. For reference I am a 5'10".

+ Cannot use gen 3 pmags without modification. Cannot use Tango Down mags...no exceptions. I cannot explain why I feel this way, but...Lancer mags and the ARX are a match ordained by Jesus; they are meant for one another. There have been no feeding issues with any of my many assorted mags that can fit. A related issue, though one that doesn't bother me -> empty mags don't fall freely. That said, only the slightest tug is needed to extract emptied mags.

+ The included Back Up PLASTIC Sights. I pulled mine off and tossed one each to my Australian Shepards to use as chew toys. They are too tall for the platform and certainly won't co-witness with most optics. Folded, they block the lower 1/3 of my view through a T1. What has worked well for me- ADM VLTOR CASV micro mount for my T1 and Magpul Pro BUIS. With this mount, you can co-witness (absolute) any standard height BUIS.

+ No aftermarket support that I've seen. Beretta sells all rifle components through Brownells and some odds and ends on their own site, e.g. SBR kit.

+ Precision at the range. This is not a concern for me. This rifle in my hands can nail a man sized target at 300m. I have no doubt it can range much farther but I haven't looked into it. Most people report 2-3 MOA. I know a member here can't best 4 or 5 MOA with his ARX, likely an outlier though. As an aside, I wish Beretta would take a look at his rifle at the very least.



HAPPY FACE-

+ Like my ARs, I trust my life to this rifle. I'd take it into combat with no hesitation. When I hold the ARX up to my ear I can hear it say, "I got you, Bra." Then I say, "I feel it, Bro-ham."

+ Ergonomics. My only modification in this regard was to add a BCM Vertical Foregrip and angle it AMD-style.

+ It's light and comfortable to hump for many miles. I walked or Airborne Shuffled 45 miles on my property this past week with the ARX with no complaint. On the rifle- T1 and mount, 30+1 rounds in a Lancer mag, Insight WML, BCM Vertical Foregrip, and Magpul RSA (sling mount).

+ Sling mounts aren't bad when using a Magpul MS1 sling, or if you add other mounting points as with the RSA.

+ Fires every type of 5.56 or .223 rds found at a typical Walmart- crappy underpowered Tulammo (2 of my ARs have had cycling issues with this), Federal 55grn .223, Americam Eagle M193, and AE and ZQ1 M855.

+ The controls are easy to operate with USGI cold weather gloves (intermediate). For those who have never worn these gloves, they are...Jesus, I can't think of a better way to describe these gloves...they are pretty stiff and thick. I fumble a little with my ARs wearing these gloves (mostly with finger placement on the trigger and difficulty operating the selector lever). No such problems on the ARX. As an aside, I can change barrels faster with these gloves on versus bare hands. This is great for the Alpine trooper in an intense fight who has just melted his first barrel. Reading some FB posts from Italian soldiers, it sounds like they are issued two barrels with their rifle for exactly this situation (+/- snow).

+ 300AAC barrels (if they ever come to market). I fell even harder for one of my LMT CQB MRPs when I finally purchased it a 300 AAC barrel last month. What a sweet round.

Though I have listed more Sad Faces than Happy Faces, qualitatively this is a solid battle rifle. Many of the Sad Faces are easily remedied, worked around or just negligable.

I feel like I'm cheating on my ARs, but they have nothing to worry about. The ARX is a fine rifle in my estimation; I have no issue trusting my life to it but it will never be first in my heart.

[halmbarte]

The MCX is interesting but I've been burned by Sig USA's corner cutting once too many times to trust them again.

I've got a ARX that's I've shot at our local rifle match, and have taken it out hunting rabbits and coyotes. It's a pretty slick design that works well. I haven't had any stoppages with mine that weren't caused by pilot error.

Comparing the ARX to the SCAR, I'd say that the SCAR is a better rifle, and the SCAR is more repairable. For example, the stock latch (for holding the stock folded) on the ARX is part of the receiver. On the SCAR the stock latch is a replaceable part. The other side of the coin os that I can get two ARXes for the price of a SCAR, and I'm pretty sure the SCAR isn't more durable than those two ARXes.

Link to rifle detail pics I posted is here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-at-500-rounds

The ARX is a well designed and manufactured lightweight rifle. It has very good ergonomics and is easy to use. Would I like to have the 7.62x39 kit? Sure. Would I like more barrel options? Sure.

But like Mick said, you can't always get what you want...

H

[USAFCATM]

I only handled one in the store but the thing that struck me (and bothered me) was the stock seemed flimsy. I am old enough to remember the Ram-Line Min-14 and 10/22 stocks and that is what it felt like to me. I'm not convinced the toe of the stock would survive a drop onto a hard surface and when it's down to -30 degrees in the winter, I would be especially concerned. That's the main thing that concerned me. Well, that and the "tactical mackerel" feel the forend has.

[halmbarte]

I only handled one in the store but the thing that struck me (and bothered me) was the stock seemed flimsy. I am old enough to remember the Ram-Line Min-14 and 10/22 stocks and that is what it felt like to me. I'm not convinced the toe of the stock would survive a drop onto a hard surface and when it's down to -30 degrees in the winter, I would be especially concerned. That's the main thing that concerned me. Well, that and the "tactical mackerel" feel the forend has.

Compared to the SCAR, the ARX does feel much flimsier. The SCAR's stock has a machined aluminum core and springs that make the lockup tight and eliminate rattle.

Things get cut to hit weight and cost targets. At least the stocks are replaceable w/o specialist tools and only run $65 if you do break one: http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod68641.aspx

Is the SCAR's $150 buttstock 2.3x more durable than the ARX's? I don't know. What I do know is that the ARX provides most of the advantages of the SCAR for ~ 1/2 the price. And if you're left handed it has features like left ejection that pretty much no other design has.

H

[thedave8]

Love my ARX....no worries about minus 30 degrees here in Florida though......
It's light , accurate.....love it