AAC MPW

AAC MPW

Customized by The AR Bunker

The AR Bunker specializes in custom built modern sporting rifles, with years of experience in assembly of quality components into tactical masterpieces. The latest example of this expertise combines a high quality SBR (short barrel rifle) chambered for 300 AAC BLACKOUT with, as its main features, a 30 caliber  Advanced Armament 762-sdn-6 suppressor, a Vortex SPARC II red dot scope ahead of a Vortex 3-power flip-off magnifier, and a Tac-Con 3MR trigger. Individually, the components are all high-quality accessories that would be an excellent enhancement to any modern sporting rifle.  Together, they make for a highly effective, extremely versatile short-to-mid range tactical rifle.

Since we’re reviewing the total package here we’ll break it up into the important components and then report an overall impression of the complete unit.

Rifle
Advanced Armament Corporation complete MPW rifles are available in 16”, 12.5” and 9” barrels chambered for 300 AAC BLACKOUT. The 9” version (NFA rules apply) was chosen to keep the overall length as short as possible after installation of the suppressor and with good optics the shorter barrel length gives up very little operator accuracy in the mid-range distances. The weight and size of the rifle lends itself to a highly mobile tool for “close-quarters” operations while giving up little when pressed into service at longer ranges. Use of the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge enhances the ballistic energy of the projectile versus its 5.56 or .223 cousins; especially when using subsonic rounds to take advantage of the suppressor capabilities.  When normal velocity cartridges are used, the advantage of 300 AAC Blackout over 5.56/.223 are enormous.

The various components of the rifle are chosen from among the highest quality available. The ever-critical bolt carrier group, for instance, on the MPW is nickel boron (Ni-B) UCT EXO coated for very high hardness and lower friction than either chrome or nickel teflon. There is also a base layer of high-phosphorous electroless nickel that ensures the extreme corrosion protection that is absent from other Nickel Boron carriers that use a single, thinner layer. The bolt itself is Carpenter 158® phosphated shot-peened steel to ensure precise dimensions with no concerns for hydrogen embrittlement in the critical lug area.

Other components are similarly extra-high quality to ensure longevity and dependability.

Optics
Choice of the SPARC II red-dot scope gives the operator a very high quality picture of the target with a small red dot in the field of vision to identify the impact point of the bullet.  Controls on the SPARC II are conveniently located for ease of operator use, and the specs on this unit are all “top-shelf”, including waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction.  Multiple coatings of anti-reflective material on all air-glass surfaces provides maximum light transmission for optical clarity. 300 to 5,000 hour battery life, depending on brightness setting, is enhanced by a 12-hour auto-off feature that helps those of us who frequently forget to turn the scope off after use.

The 3 power magnifier mounted behind the red dot makes the longer shot much easier and rotates easily out of view when close-quarters work is in progress.  Addition of the magnifier makes the rifle much more versatile in terms of its suitability for shots at various distances and the “flip-off mount” feature allows for better overall sight pictures when using the rifle at close range.

Suppressor
Advanced Armament Corporation makes some of the best suppressors on the market today, and the 762-sdn-6 is certainly no exception. The unit is a compact fast-attach sound and flash suppressor designed expressly for 7.62x51mm and 300 AAC BLACKOUT (7.62x35mm) weapons. Constructed to meet the demands of fully automatic operation, the unit is plenty tough for even the heaviest civilian use.  The choice of this suppressor provides the owner with the flexibility of swapping it to firearms of smaller calibers without significant degradation of sound reduction capability.

With the appropriate mounting hardware on the firearm, the 762-sdn-6 quickly disconnects from the muzzle without the long un-screwing required by traditionally mounted units.

Trigger 
The crowning glory of this particular AR Bunker customization is the addition of a Tactical Fire Control, Inc. Tac-Con 3MR three-position trigger.  No, the third position is not full-auto, which would prevent civilian ownership, but it could be considered to be the “next best thing.”  Position 1 is, of course, SAFE as on all AR’s.  Position 2 is the normal, familiar, FIRE position except that the TAC-Con’s version gives a very precise feel with a light, 4.5lb pull weight. Position 3 is where the fun begins.

When Position 3 is selected, the trigger reset travel becomes extremely short.  Only a slight relaxation of the trigger finger muscle allows forward movement to the point where the trigger is ready to break again for another shot.  With a bit of practice, this position allows the operator to rapidly fire the weapon, still at one-pull-one-shot, but literally as fast as the operator can “twitch” the finger.  Combined with the light pull weight, this short reset trigger design allows one to empty a magazine very quickly.

The 3MR system is a fully BATFE compliant semi-auto trigger and, as such, requires no additional approval, registration, paperwork, or regulation for installation on an otherwise lawful AR-15 type rifle or pistol.

Overall Package 
WOW!  Great basic rifle, great caliber, shooting safely and comfortably without ear protection, optically enhanced accuracy, shiznitz trigger….  It was hard to give this rifle back after the test.  We kept asking for more ammo and more time to “properly evaluate the product” but reasonable people have limits, so the AR Bunker’s MPW customization had to go from product evaluation to “want list.”

Suppressed firearms are becoming more and more popular as the Hollywood stigma wears off in favor of the practical advantages of low-noise shooting.  It’s hard for the average shooter to swallow several hundred dollars for a suppressor, another couple hundred for the Gov’t tax, and several months waiting period to join the “Quiet Squad” but the rewards are well worth it.  This is especially the case for center-fire guns used in competition, tactical training, or intense recreational activities. The enhancement to these activities is downright palpable.

Technological improvements and increased demand have made the red-dot and holographic sighting accessories both more affordable and higher quality. Today’s red-dots, especially, give the mid-range (200 yards and less) shooter enough capability without the downsides associated with traditional optical scopes.  Ease of target-acquisition in tactical competition and run-n-gun exercises hugely favor the red-dot and holographic products.

One of the biggest complaints about basic AR rifles is the trigger.  Usually gritty, heavy, and sometimes downright awkward, the bang switch on most of these beasts is an abomination.  Modestly priced upgrades add a lot but the Tac-Con trigger on the AR’s MPW customization takes this upgrade process to a lofty level.  The “normal” FIRE position gives a positive, smooth, light feel which makes shooting an AR more like shooting a traditional rifle than jerking the lanyard on a Howitzer.  The Tac-Con would join the ranks of several competitors if that’s all it did.  Tac-Con’s 3rd, WOW, position, however, sets it seriously apart, and designing the system so that the short-reset mode is engaged by a separate position of the selector switch is a great feature.

While the AR Bunker MPW customization is not going to fall into the “budget AR” category, it does provide a good value for the shooter wanting a very cool tactical rifle that has very high quality components and some serious potential uses.  We think they should call it The AR Bunker OMG GUN.

Respectfully Submitted
The Bunker Bunch
October, 2014