MSAR Who has one and is happy?

[Jimbob2.0]

Got my hands on one of these (not the ones that take AR mags) and I must admit I was very impressed and may have to purchase one.

Good balance, trigger is about the same as a combat AR which is very good for a bullpup. Simple design and takedown. Cool OD finish, barrel switching capabability.

Downside seesm to be the plastic stock, and the mag release.

Still thinking this may need to be my next layaway (Though I would prefer the one that takes AR mags).

What are you guys field experiences.

1. Accuracy?
2. Trigger break in?
3. Spare parts availability (its not an AR afterall).
4. Reliability on all kinds of ammo.

 

[Idempotent]

I don't have one, but what you're saying doesn't sound like it's good for my pocketbook -- I know I want one and you're making me want one more.

 

[midcountyg]

I have the original style before the E4 and love it. It was at the frostbite shoot for demo. Still have 2 more like it foresale at good prices

 

[Slimjim]

Got my hands on one of these (not the ones that take AR mags) and I must admit I was very impressed and may have to purchase one.

Good balance, trigger is about the same as a combat AR which is very good for a bullpup. Simple design and takedown. Cool OD finish, barrel switching capabability.

Downside seesm to be the plastic stock, and the mag release.

Still thinking this may need to be my next layaway (Though I would prefer the one that takes AR mags).

What are you guys field experiences.

1. Accuracy?
2. Trigger break in?
3. Spare parts availability (its not an AR afterall).
4. Reliability on all kinds of ammo.

You'll get used to the mag release, and the AUG had a plastic stock too, it's not a problem. What barrel length are you looking at?

I've seen them hold accuracy on par with AR15's with good ammo. The trigger will get better as you use it. MSAR or ratworx will sell you all the spare parts you want. And it's reliable with most types of ammo on standard setting, wolf may require the gas regulator run on adverse.

 

[LostSoul]

I would SO want one if I were right-handed... You can get a lefty conversion bolt kit, but that makes it even more expensive.

 

[2Asales&Supplies]

I would SO want one if I were right-handed... You can get a lefty conversion bolt kit, but that makes it even more expensive.

From what I understand MSAR will trade a Right Hand Bolt for a Left Hand Bolt. Their Customer service is excellent.

I own a 1st Gen model, it goes to the range every time I do. We have sold a few E-4s (takes AR mags) and everybody loves them.

 

[Idempotent]

I would SO want one if I were right-handed... You can get a lefty conversion bolt kit, but that makes it even more expensive.

How hard is it to shoot with your off hand? I know it might take a little getting used to, but isn't it doable?

 

[longshot1911]

I have one, and it has caused all of my M-4's to collect dust. This is one of the most enjoyable carbines I have ever fired. In the offhand, the balance is perfect.
Idempotent: This is not the gun to fire from your left shoulder in right hand configuration. Brass will hit you in the face. This is the only downside to this platform. I have a buddy who shoots one in 3 gun (very competitive shooter) with good results. We both went with the flat top/EOTECH rout. While I first thought I would prefer a gun that takes AR Mags, the Microtech 42 rounds are of excellent quality (equal to or better than P-mags).

I agree that the trigger gets better with use, but a little graphite along the transfer rods did wonders for mine. My buddy has been playing with his trigger pack to reduce over travel. After talking with a Microtech rep, they sent him some extra parts "just in case". I have owned/used many AR's, a SIG 5.56, and now the MSAR, and it is hands down my favorite.

Did I mention it is compact...

 

[CKOD]

I have one, and it has caused all of my M-4's to collect dust. This is one of the most enjoyable carbines I have ever fired. In the offhand, the balance is perfect.
Idempotent: This is not the gun to fire from your left shoulder in right hand configuration. Brass will hit you in the face. This is the only downside to this platform. I have a buddy who shoots one in 3 gun (very competitive shooter) with good results. We both went with the flat top/EOTECH rout. While I first thought I would prefer a gun that takes AR Mags, the Microtech 42 rounds are of excellent quality (equal to or better than P-mags).

I agree that the trigger gets better with use, but a little graphite along the transfer rods did wonders for mine. My buddy has been playing with his trigger pack to reduce over travel. After talking with a Microtech rep, they sent him some extra parts "just in case". I have owned/used many AR's, a SIG 5.56, and now the MSAR, and it is hands down my favorite.

Did I mention it is compact...

Hooray for a gun company that will send parts instead of making you ship it in for service.

 

[Slimjim]

I would SO want one if I were right-handed... You can get a lefty conversion bolt kit, but that makes it even more expensive.

If you call up and talk to Dave, i believe he could set you up with a lefty version from the factory for the same price, its worth a shot.

 

[Idempotent]

Idempotent: This is not the gun to fire from your left shoulder in right hand configuration. Brass will hit you in the face. This is the only downside to this platform.

I wasn't referring to shooting it from the left shoulder, I was referring to shooting it from the right shoulder. Just because you're left-handed doesn't mean the other side of your body doesn't work ... now granted, it'll take a little bit to get accustomed to holding the foregrip and pulling the trigger with the "opposite hands", and looking through the sight with the other eye, but that is a skill that could come in handy some time.

In the olden days, they used to make left-handed people write with their right hands for conformity's sake. If a left-hander can learn to write right-handed, then certainly he can learn to shoot right-handed.

 

[Idempotent]

And before anyone attacks me for "not understanding the lefties' plight", let me just say that if I had access to a left-handed rifle, I would definitely practice shooting it lefty-style. It's just another new thing to practice and get good at, and who knows when you might need that skill, especially in a ZHTF situation?

 

[longshot1911]

I understand what you are saying, and agree entirely. I run this drill with my AR's quite regularly. What I was trying to point out is that with the ejection port on a right handed bullpup rifle, you cannot achieve a cheek weld on the stock without covering the ejection port or eating brass. That is the only drawback of the bullpup design.

 

[SCARCQB]

I have a couple of STG-556 that I may have about a couple of thousand round through each. Ive purchased them when they first came out .In comparison, I also have an original AUG which I have owned for 15 years.The Quality of the MSAR is better in some areas. Purchased the STGs when MSAR initially released them and had no issues with both rifles to date.( I bought several due to the Obama scare) Customer service is excellent, They really take care of you. I had to send a Gen 1 for an upgrade , MSAR paid for shipping, door-to door, plus gave me some free mags. Parts are available from MSAR and the rifles can be factory upgraded for a minimal cost just in case ( Std STG to E4). I preffer the original mags over AR15 type mags. But thats just me.

Here some tips:
For the trigger, Spray the Trigger group with liberal amounts of Armorall and let it dry. Do the same for the trigger bars,safety and trigger itself. Work the moving parts a couple of hundred times, to take the burrs out , Wash the trigger group with hot water to clean and spray moving plastic surfaces with Armorall. That should improve trigger performance. ( I was the guy who first started this in AUG forums then it got carried over to ARFCOM)

Polish the chamber and feed ramps if you are using steel cased ammo. Soak the chamber area in paint thinner to get rid of gummy lacquer.( QD barrel makes this easy)
Keep the gas port in the normal setting for steel cased ammo. Bigger gas setting can cause case head separation if the chamber gets dirty with lacquer buildup. You can mess with other settings after a 200 round break in period.

Shoot brass ammo first... Steel cased ammo does not expand as well as brass, lacquer/ polymer may deposit in the chamber. Firing a brass case ammo after steel cased ammo will cause the expanded brass to stick in the chamber ( thanks to the polymer goo) and result in a jam. Firing steel after brass cased ammo is okay. Dont fornicate with the gas setting and keep it in " Normal" position.

for tactical mag changes, shoulder the rifle in its firing position, obtain a full mag, use the rib of the new mag to depress the mag release, empty mag falls off, insert new mag, release bolt release.

For AUG type/ MSAR mag users... Do not slam the mag into the magwell as there is a potential for rounds to pop out of the mag when it is slammed home. This does not happen with AR15 type mags. This also happens to original AUG rifles as well as the F88 Austeyr

Low rail users. watch your hand position when you charge the rifle. There is a danger of your knuckles getting caught in the mounts during charging.use the palm up position to avert bleeding. ( LOL)

The Giles sling works well for a 2-point sling, If you want a single point sling, the urban- Ert w/ single point adapter works best.

For weak hand shooting, Hold the pistol grip with your left hand, Put your right hand behind the ejection port and that serves as a deflector to avoid getting hot brass in your face.

Put some velcro behind the ejection port as this area gets rough with ejected cases.

It does not suppress well due to gas port noise. Any piston driven system is prone to this issue. Adapters can be purchased from Ratworx( 1/2x28), Flash hiders ( 13x1 metric) are made by AAC ( 51T black out) or custom made by YHM.

and BTW, congratulations on your awesome bullpup.

PS:

Accuracy is 1-1.5" with good ammo ( hornady taps) , 2"+ with Wolf and Barnaul.
Balance is awesome. You can fire it with arms extended like a pistol ( Try that with a fully loaded AR)
Muzzle flip is almost non- existent, recoil is very mild due to its straight line design and wide butt stock

It is shorter than a 10.5" AR SBR while maintaining a full 16" barrel
Muzzle blast is also a lot less compared to SBRs of the same length
AK47 mag pouches from kalinka Optics work well for AUG/ MSAR mags
It is piston driven. Always fire it with the foregrip deployed. hands around the piston while firing will earn you ambulance miles.
Shoot it like a military rifle is meant to be shot. It is a shooter, not a safe queen
Birchwood casey aluminum black works well in blackening the cheesy MSAR inscriptions. Just degrease it well.
It is 10x easier to clean than an AR or AK

Philippine Army Scout Rangers using Steyr AUG carbines and M16As
MSAR STG556 Gen 1 LE. Suppressed( AAc M42K, Beta C, 6" rail, Giles sling, AAC 51T blackout, TLR-1)

 

[SCARCQB]

Some MSAR porn

SBR short without the tax stamp.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

You guys are really making me want one of these for my next .223! Now I just need to find a good layaway dealer. Luckily from all these conversations I am a righty.

 

[LostSoul]

How hard is it to shoot with your off hand? I know it might take a little getting used to, but isn't it doable?

I CAN shoot right handed, but I'm much better with, and prefer left. I just don't feel like dropping the coin on a rifle I have to basically re-learn how to shoot on. Even with the lefty conversion, then it's a left only, which I also don't want. It's not meant to be, I guess!

 

[SCARCQB]

I CAN shoot right handed, but I'm much better with, and prefer left. I just don't feel like dropping the coin on a rifle I have to basically re-learn how to shoot on. Even with the lefty conversion, then it's a left only, which I also don't want. It's not meant to be, I guess!

Australian Army soldiers that are lefties learn to shoot right handed. That makes a lefty fully ambidextrous

or wait for this modification to hit US shores. Ambi- AUG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2xx_r07L4

 

[LostSoul]

or wait for this modification to hit US shores. Ambi- AUG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2xx_r07L4

Now that's interesting. Is the rifle psychic, or is flipping a lever when he switches hands?