Just picked this up from my FFL today. $707 shipped from Rainier Arms, and interesting that MSRP on these was $1300 just a couple years ago. Figured I'd buy one since they seem to have gotten good reviews and this particular model may be discontinued. Marked "CARACAL USA NEWINGTON NH" and was actually shipped from New Hampshire even though Rainier Arms is in Washington state. This gun has the so-called "extractor guard" or "extractor button" that sits against the extractor when the bolt is in battery. In the event of an overpressure event it prevents the extractor from disengaging the case rim and (theoretically, I guess) prevents the kaboom from damagng the receiver or shooter. Caracal advertises it as being "Over The Beach" certified. Has the standard Magpul furniture and a Troy (?) type rear sight.
This has the nitrided barrel whereas the UAE-produced weapons have a chrome-lined CHF barrel. Did they cheap out? Maybe, but Chris Bartocci says that testing showed no significant differences between the two processes. I'm not educated enough to debate one side or the other.
Came with the USGI-type mag, made for Caracal. Says "Caracal Made in USA" on the floorplate. One side of the mag is stamped "09130142 MADE IN USA" and the other side is marked "6M9N8 .223/5.56 AL" Appears to be a Teflon-type finish.
Also came with an Otis cleaning kit marked with the Caracal logo.
Gun appears well assembled. The anodizing job on upper and lower isn't the greatest though, with a couple odd-looking areas that almost look touched up (if you can do that with anodizing?).
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