19 Dec 01

Carbon-15 update from a friend on the East Coast:

"Professional Ordnance of Lake Havasu City , AZ produces a lightweight (4 lbs), mostly composite, AR-15 look-alike. However, parts are NOT interchangeable with the AR-15. Early versions of this rifle ‘featured' a non-vented, composite forward hand guard which became too hot to hold during high-volume shooting. Recently, Texas distributor, CDNN, began offering a lightweight, composite AR-15 upper (manufactured by Professional Ordinance), designed to be mated with standard AR-15 lower receiver.

I recently acquired one of these uppers. When mounted on a post-ban Colt lower receiver, the resulting rifle, with sling, weighs in at 6.25 lbs! The forward hand guard now has vent holes in the bottom and top. Overheating is no longer a problem. One of the best features is the ‘quick detachable' muzzle brake. The muzzle brake literally snaps off the front of the barrel in a manner very similar to a quick-connect air hose fitting. Very handy, depending upon where one finds himself.

Conspicuously missing from this upper are a spring-loaded dust cover for the ejection port and a forward bolt assist. Both would surely be nice to have.

Yesterday, I had my first range test with this new rifle. It performed flawlessly for the first forty rounds. The rifle was then subjected to a sustained fire drill, consisting of one hundred rounds, fired as fast as I could press the trigger. Again, flawless performance. The forward hand guard was only slightly warm to the touch, despite the fact that the barrel and gas tube were both smoking heavily. This was with Wolf ammunition, which is famous for inconsistent powder charges and cases sticking in chambers.

The stainless steel, fluted barrel is in desperate need of some a dark, antireflective coating, and I would like a dust cover for the ejection port and a bold forward assist. Aside from that, it's a system I can recommend, and it is VERY light!"

/John