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Tango Down ARC-L AR-15 Magazine Review

Tango Down magazine review

In March, Tango Down introduced a new polymer AR-15 magazine called the ARC-L.  Tango Down took a different approach to the AR-15 magazine, and designed something new that is worth looking at.

Tango Down developed the ARC-L magazine by going back to the drawing board and taking a hard look at ammunition feeding in the AR-15 platform.  Tango Down started with the understanding that 30-round magazines in the AR-15 are curved, yet the magazine well in the AR-15 is straight.

Instead of utilizing a single piece of molded plastic, the Tango Down magazine is a two-part assembly that snaps together (permanently) in the middle.  There are several reasons for this, but the main one is to have a straight portion that is in the magazine well, with a curved portion that is the part extending beyond the magazine well.

Tango Down says by using the two-piece construction they can mix various polymers for different portions of the magazine:

We can also mix materials, impossible with conventional plastic magazines. We can offer transparent lower/high tensile strength upper sectioned magazines that avoid the brittle feed lip issue of all-transparent material construction.

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Rifles

Ruger SR-556: Ruger’s New Piston Driven AR-15

The new Ruger SR-556 rifle.

Ruger SR-556

Ruger announced a new piston-driven AR-15 rifle: the Ruger SR-556.  Announced at the NRA convention, the SR-556 is a completely new line for Ruger, and part of an obvious effort to redefine the company.

The SR-556 has a host of quality features, the most significant of which is the two-stage piston system.  But, in a market that seems to have an overwhelming number of AR-15 makers, will the SR-556 be interesting enough to survive?

The “black rifle” market is clearly hot, as AR-15’s have been selling extremely well throughout the United States.  Some manufacturers have stated that orders are backlogged six months or more.  Bringing a new AR-style gun into the market now may be good timing for Ruger, as a scarcity of all AR rifles may push more customers into their rifles.

Let’s take a look at some of the features of the SR-556.

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Rifles

Stark Equipment SE-1 Grip for the AR-15

Stark SE-2 AR15 Grip

The Stark Equipment SE-1 is a polymer grip that replaces the standard AR-15 grip and trigger guard with a single polymer unit.  At the 2009 SHOT Show, I had a chance to preview the Stark SE-1, and I was impressed by the look and feel of the floor samples.

Stark Equipment is now shipping the SE-1, and I was able to get one of the early production grips.  I am just as impressed by the production model as I was by the samples.

The SE-1 feels good in my hand, with just the right amount of palm swell and what appears to be a good grip angle.  The Stark grip features three texture rings around the center of the grip, providing good adhesion to the hand.  There are also grooves around the textured rings.  These grooves are designed to allow fluids, such as sweat and rain, to flow away from the hand and not disrupt the mating of the hand to the grip.

There is a removable rubber plug on the bottom of the grip that allows you to store two CR-123 or AA batteries for any light or optics accessories you may have.

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Rifles

Ruger’s New Tactical Mini-14

Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rifle

A few days ago, a photo leaked of a possible new tactical version of the Ruger Mini-14.  At the time, I stated that it looked like a Mini-14 with the ATI stock on it.  Well, that is exactly what it is.

Ruger was showing the “new” Mini-14 at the 2009 Media Day at the Range.  According to the Ruger rep, ATI is manufacturing the Strikeforce stock with the Ruger emblem and shipping them to Ruger, where the Mini-14 is assembled and shipped to dealers.  According to the rep, that’s it: no other new features or items that you wouldn’t get by ordering your own ATI Strikeforce stock and putting it onto a Runger Mini-14.

The Mini-14/20CF is finished in matte black and fitted with the ATI stock.  This stock has a quad rail fore and an adjustable, side-folding buttstock.  It is a nice set-up and feels solid.  The folks at Ruger say these are already shipping and are already on some dealers shelves.  The MSRP is $872.

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Rifles

Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Stocks

I’ve had several people recently inquire about the availability of aftermarket stocks for the Ruger Mini-14.  Specifically, they were interested in tactical style stocks for the Mini-14.  There are two Mini-14 stocks I suggest people consider if they are looking for something more tactical for their Ruger: the TAPCO and the ATI stocks.

TAPCO is a company based in Kennesaw, GA, that has been involved in the firearms industry for many years now.  I recall stopping into their offices back during the Clinton years and buying SKS stripper clips from them when I still lived and worked in that area.  The TAPCO people are good folks.

TAPCO manufactures a Mini-14 replacement stock called the FUSION system.  The FUSION system is a complete stock replacement that gives the owner a M4 style, adjustable buttstock, SAW-style pistol grip, and a Picatinny rail on the top and the bottom of the barrel cover.  Other nice features about the FUSION system include the pistol grip has a storage compartment, the lower rail has a removable cover, the system is available in black, dark earth, and olive drab colors, and the system works with the Mini-14 in .223 or 6.8 SPC plus the Mini-30.  MSRP is $129.99 and is worth every penny.

Advanced Technology, Inc. (ATI) manufactures glass-filled, injection-molded stocks for a wide variety of firearms. ATI recently introduced the Ruger Mini-14 Strikeforce Package, which gives your Mini-14 a definite tactical look and feel.

The Strikeforce gives the Mini-14 four Picatinny rails on the forend of the stock and molded inserts to cover them when they are not in use.  The Strikeforce also features a folding, six-position adjustable buttstock that can store batteries in the tube. The stock has a pistol grip and a removable/adjustable 3/8″ cheekrest.

The Strikeforce MSRP is less expensive than the TAPCO at only $109, but only comes in black.