Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
Enter to WIN Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle in FREE GUN FRIDAY!

6 Trick Tactical Rifles Capable of Filling Multiple Roles

Fred Mastison by Fred Mastison
March 27, 2022
in Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, Guns, Rifles
0
The PWS uppers in 7.62x39 give options.
0
SHARES
379
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

One of my most anticipated events each year is the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous. As a writer I get to spend quality time both on the range and in more relaxed settings with a number of great companies. It is a priceless opportunity to really get to know people. Beyond personal time, I get hands-on time with some fantastic products across the spectrum. Even with this vast variety of items, a few jumped out at me and really caught my interest. The apple of my eye this year was rifles. Allow me the pleasure of sharing with you some of the best tactical rifles I saw at Rendezvous. 

The ZEV Core Elite rifle comes fully loaded for performance.
RELATED STORY

ZEV Core Elite: Professional-Grade Components Drive Performance

3 Multi-Role Tactical Rifles

ZEV Technologies

First up are a couple rifles from the gun Jedi at ZEV Technologies. New this year is the large-frame billet .308. As many know, ZEV Billet rifles are descended from the legendary Mega Arms. They share the same designers but with a ZEV spin on aesthetics. The uppers and lowers are precision machined from 7075-T6 aluminum for strength and light weight, finished in true black type III class 2 hard coat anodizing.

It comes with a ZEV match-grade 416R stainless steel 16-inch barrel with bronze PVD coating. It is chambered in .308 Winchester with a 1:10 twist and mid-length gas system. ZEV shared with me that the gun is capable of consistent sub-MOA accuracy with high-quality factory ammunition. While shooting the gun I noticed a distinct lack of recoil. ZEV shared with me that the rifle has an H3 carbine buffer, which increases dwell time and reduces port pressure to ensure reliable extraction and a smooth recoil impulse. Running the gun was very comfortable and ergonomically friendly. The flat face AR Gold trigger from ATC features a 2.5-pound pull with a short reset and clean break that is second to none. The gun also has ambidextrous operating controls for the safety selector, bolt release, and magazine release. 

ZEV Core Elite

The next rifle from ZEV is the popular 16-inch CORE Elite. The CORE Elite rifle out of the blocks is simply a sexy gun. While we pretend to be above that as serious gun owners, it does matter. It has a ZEV custom 416R 16-inch fluted match barrel with bronze PVD coating. The bronze finish peeking out from under the handguard gives it a very nice look without overkill. With a 1:7 twist and mid-length gas system, the gun is a sub-MOA shooter. The fit and finish on the gun are exceptional as I expected.

The ZEV Core Elite rifle comes fully loaded for performance.
(Photo by Alex Landeen)

Mega Arms had developed a strong reputation for precision manufacturing, and it obviously has carried over after the ZEV acquisition. There was no play between the forged upper and lower and the entire build seemed to fit very well together. They are precision machined from 7075-T6 aluminum for strength and light weight, finished in true black type III class 2 hard coat anodizing.

On some rifle builds you can tell that components were simply assembled to produce a rifle. This is not the case with the CORE Elite. Everything on the gun flows well together and makes for a very comfortable gun. This is especially evident with the handguard. The ZEV Wedge Lock handguard provides a full-length continuous top rail with M-LOK mounting system. The integrated anti-rotation pin ensures a consistently aligned and continuous top rail with the upper receiver. There are a ton of ARs on the market, but the CORE Elite is one of my favorites.

Dark Storm Industries

My next stop in the look at some of the best ARs at Rendezvous is Dark Storm Industries. They are always a favorite stop at this event and this year did not disappoint. New this year is the DS-25 Typhoon SUR (Sport Utility Rifle) in .308 Win. The first noteworthy item on this gun is weight. Dark Storm utilized a number of traditional AR-15 parts to help shed ounces. In the end it is one of the lightest and most compact .308 semi-automatic rifles on the market today at 6.7 pounds.

Dark Storm DS-25 Typhoon

The DS-25 Typhoon shares its feature set with the popular DS-15 Typhoon. Based on a billet 7075 aluminum upper and lower receiver set with a nitride 4150 barrel, the Typhoon also includes a free-float M-Lok handguard, as well as ambidextrous charging handle and safety selector.  The barrel and handguard length, grip, and stock/brace vary by configuration.

Dark Storm DS-25

“The .308’s range and stopping power when combined with the compact size and weight of the DS-25 make it the perfect solution for both sporting uses such as a day at the range, as well as utility needs like hunting and defense,” said Ed Newman, co-owner of DSI.  “The mid-length gas system, paired with the reduced reciprocated weight of the AR-15 sized BCG and buffer, really reduce the recoil to near 5.56 levels.” DSI plans to make configurations of this gun for all 50 states.

Dark Storm DS-15 Lightning

Another rifle they had on the range was the Dark Storm DS-15 Lightning 5.56. Like the SUR, DSI has a model that is compliant in every state. The rifle is feature-rich with an ambidextrous charging handle, four-pound drop in trigger and a DSI stainless steel 16-inch 5.56 SOCOM barrel with a 1:7 twist. The gun also comes standard with the DSI stainless steel competition compensator. The gun is a pleasure to shoot and with the comp, and has very little muzzle rise, making it perfect for competition. While this may be one of the focused applications of the rifle, it would also make a great multi-purpose shooter as well.

Primary Weapon Systems

My next stop was to see my friends at Primary Weapon Systems. They have built a reputation on building fantastic weapons. My time with them at Rendezvous showed that that was still true. Of the rifles they had, the one that really caught my eye was the PWS MK111 LE SBR .223. The rifle has a very nice long-stroke piston system. The gun also has the patent-pending PicLok technology on the free-float handguard, allowing users to mount either Picatinny or M-LOK accessories on the front of their firearm. Looking at the fully forged upper and lower receivers, the craftsmanship of this rifle can be easily recognized. They have eliminated the forward assist, added a flared mag well and built-in trigger guard. With an 11.5-inch barrel, it is a perfect size for a utilitarian SBR.

Primary Weapons Systems now offers uppers in 7.62x39.

One other item that caught my eye while I was visiting that morning was the Primary Weapon Systems MK116 MOD 2-M upper chambered in 7.62×39. Once again, PWS has eliminated the antiquated forward assist. The upper includes an M-LOK handguard with integrated Picatinny rail sections, Triad compensator, 41V50 barrel, PWS long-stroke piston system, adjustable gas block and Radian Raptor LT charging handle. As a utilitarian-minded shooter, having the ability to put a quality 7.62×39 upper on my AR platform is a huge win. We talk about how versatile the AR is and Primary Weapon Systems took it to heart.

I think you can see why the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous is one of my favorite events. A mix of good people, fantastic products and beautiful scenery is certainly a trifecta of ballistic happiness.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

The new Burris Veracity PH brings serious innovation.

New Tech: Burris Veracity PH Riflescope Digital Turrets, Heads-Up Display

The Matrix Dual-Pump Cage forend.

SHOT Show 2023: The 8 Most Interesting New Guns Released at SHOT!

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

Our author tested the SIG Sauer Cross hunting deer in rough country.

Testing the SIG Sauer Cross in the Wilds of the Appalachian Mountains

Load More

WATCH NOW: Night Shooter | Season 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Ballistic's Best Reader's Choice Winners

Winners Announced: Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice 2022

The votes are in! We've counted the ballots, and we're excited and impressed by you, the...

Read more

TRENDING

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

We tested 12 compact and micro compact pistols to determine the best carry gun.

Best Concealed Carry Pistols 2022: Compacts & Micros Dominate

A top-quality chassis gives you adjustability and other features you need to make your long-range shooting more accurate and fun. These 7 top rifle chassis do it with class.

7 Top Rifle Chassis That Add Class & Accuracy to Your Long-Range Shoot

Affordable Precision Rifles 2018

19 Affordable Precision Rifles That Won’t Break the Bank

PICK A CATEGORY

TRAINING & TACTICS SPOTLIGHT

The Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Competitor.

TESTED: Shooting the Smith & Wesson PC M&P9 M2.0 Competitor

Smith & Wesson just announced an exciting new addition to its famed Performance Center line of guns. The new...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

zeroing in rifles and pistols

Zeroing Rifles & Pistols: Getting to & Maintaining Zeroed Sights

European Mount, DIY Euro Mount, Hunting, lead

How to Make a European Mount in 6 Steps

Team SIG Sauer's Lena Miculek fires a P365 and debates .380 vs 9mm.

VIDEO: SIG Sauer’s Lena Miculek Debates .380 Vs 9mm for Defense

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Follow this guide to better shooting on the move.

SHOOTING 101: 3 Keys to Getting Hits While Shooting on the Move

Understanding eye dominance and both eyes open shooting will help you get on target.

VIDEO: Understanding Eye Dominance for Better Accuracy & Speed

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Hornady Subsonic 7.62x39 launches a 255-grain bullet.

Hornady Subsonic 7.62×39 Ammunition Launches 255-grain Bullet, Quietly!

Hornady just announced the release of a very interesting new load, one we think hunters will jump all over....

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • Ballistic Magazine

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
      • SIG Sauer
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Tactics & Training
    • Survival
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.