I get asked from time to time what I'd buy if I was buying an "M4" today. My current answer is that I'd buy a Noveske N4 Recce. Doubly so if it was my first AR.
I
guess because I compiled a list of features into a chart there are
people that assume I know what I'm talking about and I get PMs and
emails fairly regularly from people that want to know what they should
buy. I must admit, I find this somewhat odd as I'm just a general
contractor that likes to shoot and train, and not a cop or a soldier
with any actual reliance on a firearm day to day. But, since I keep
getting asked, I thought I'd put my opinions in one place.
first
of all, let me say that the Colt 6920 is still the Alpha and the
Omega. You just can't go wrong with one. I know of almost no one that
has purchased a 6920 and later wished they had purchased anything
else. However, I do think that there are other, and maybe even better,
options.
The rifle that I keep pointing
almost all first-time buyers to is the N4
Light Recce Basic 16" for $1425.
Let
me be very up front as say that I do so without having actually even
seen one first hand (although I've seen a couple of the 14.5"
versions). I have, however, seen a ton of Noveske's work and am smart
enough to defer to guys who know a lot more about these things than I
do, and Noveske is pretty well universally respected by almost anyone
that knows anything in the industry.
I
suggest the Recce Basic for a variety of reasons. First of all is the
price. Clyde
Armory is currently taking backorders on the Colt 6920 at $1,350
(and if you're going to buy a Colt, you'd be hard pressed to find
better vendor). Basically for $75 more you get the N4 with a midlength
gas system and a barrel with an improved, and more reasonable, profile
as well as thicker and heavier-duty chrome lining. The Colt will come
with a carry handle, A2 pistol grip, and Colt M4 stock while the
Noveske comes with a Troy rear sight, Tango Down pistol grip, and Vltor
stock. These items are essentially a wash as genuine Colt parts can
fetch a premium and be sold on the used market to fund the other
aftermarket parts that come with the N4. Basically what you save in
this regard is time and hassle. Additionally, the N4 can be had with
Magpul products in place of the TD and Vltor if you so choose (there
may be a bit of a premium involved however). The midlength gas system
of the N4 gives you a lighter recoil pulse, less wear on the internal
parts, and the possibility of more railed real-estate should one choose
to go that route but maintain the stock FSB.
So
why not choose the N4
Light Recce Low-Profile 16" for $1975 or the N4
Light Recce Basic with VIS for $2105? Mostly because if you're a
first-time buyer you may not know what rail you want, if you want one
at all. I think it's more important for a first-time buyer to get a
good, solid, basic, functional rifle and get out there and shoot it
before we get too carried away with bells and whistles. If you decide
you want a light there are other ways to attach it in the short term
and there are alternate sling-mounting possibilities to work around not
having the free-float rail. If, however, you do know that you want a
rail then the SWS unit that comes with the Low-Profile is more than
serviceable. They are now installing QD bushbutton
swivels built in to the rail that are rotation limited. This is a
bigger deal for some than for others, but buyers should be aware of
it. Since Noveske/SWS were to add that feature I am much more inclined to recommend them. I would also opt for the Vltor Emod stock upgrade for
now, and possibly the Magpul UBR when it becomes available.
So
why not one of the 14.5" barreled versions like the N4
Light Carbine, Basic for $1,375, or the N4
Light Carbine, Low Profile for $1,895, or the N4
Light Carbine, Low Profile, with VIS for $2,104, or the N4
Light Carbine, Basic, with VIS for $1,844? The biggest reason is
limitations. by choosing one of the 14.5" models you are forced to
choose between permanently attaching the muzzle device or having the
complete rifle registered as an SBR (which, as I understand it, Noveske
is willing to help with which is a very nice feature and which keeps
you from having to engrave your information on the receiver). In
permanently attaching the muzzle device you limit your options as to
rails and other accessories. Yes, the device can be removed by a
competent 'smith and things can be changed out, but I'm not a fan of
any modification that requires me to send the rifle or upper out to
reverse or rectify. Registering the rifle as an SBR is certainly
feasible but many people feel that spending the extra $200 tax to do so
isn't worth it to only save 1.5" of barrel length.
Obviously
if you are a more experienced AR owner/shooter then you may know for
certain what rails and accessories you like, in which case permanently
attaching the muzzle device may not be such a big issue. And, even if
you just go with the Noveske/SWS rail, you could certainly do a whole
hell of a lot worse. For this reason, I think that buying the 14.5"
would make a GREAT second AR to complement and supplement the 16" Recce
version.
Which brings us to
progression. I generally tell people to pick up an N4 Recce and stick
an Aimpoint
M4S in a Larue mount for $702 on top of it. I haven't gotten to
run the new "S" version of the optic yet but it does appear to put the
control knob in a more user-friendly location. If you feel that you
need magnification then add a Aimpoint
3x Magnifier in Larue pivot mount. This combo, with or without
the magnifier, will more than serve virtually any user for virtually
any endeavor. If cost is an issue, the Aimpoint C3 can be found in
package deals with Larue and ADM mounts for $450+/-. The C3 gives up
battery life, waterproof depth, night vision settings, and doesn't have
the improved switching of the M4 but is more than adequate for almost
all comers and offers up $250 in savings.
When
the time comes that you want a second AR, and you have your rail
opinions sorted out, I would go with the N4
Light Carbine, Low Profil for $1,895 (assuming you like the SWS
rail). I would choose to have the AAC M42008 51 tooth 3-prong flash
suppressor permanently attached. This will allow you to attach the
excellent Advanced Armament M42000 sound suppressor to the firearm if
you so choose. I would opt for the Emod version of the Vltor stock on
the 14.5" and I would move the Aimpoint M4 to this rifle. I would then
add either a 1-4x variable optic or a Compact ACOG in 3x to the 16" gun
and relegate it for longer-range use while the 14.5" would become my
"general purpose" rifle.
Finally,
hopefully, Noveske will eventually be coming out with a 10.5" version
of their N4 Carbine. While it doesn't exist now, I'm holding out
hope. When (if?) this barrel length surfaces I would opt for a 9" SWS
rail and the same AAC flash hider mount as well as go ahead and pick up
the M42008 at this time with the intention of running the 10.5"
suppressed the majority of the time. I would opt for the Magpul CTR
stock on the short gun as well, and top it off with an Aimpoint
T-1 in Larue mount for $640. The H-1 would serve just as well
and should save approximately $100.
I
would venture to say that with these three rifles, set up this way, one
would be sufficiently outfitted for whatever manner of
class/match/situation one could find oneself in.
At least until the Masada/ACR comes out!:D
Obviously,
all of the above is, or can be, very expensive. The very first step of
the N4 Light Recce Basic 16" is $1,425 and then I tell you to add the
Aimpoint for $700 more. And that doesn't even get you extra mags,
ammo, a light, a sling, etc! With the above recommendation you could
be out $3k real damn quick before you ever pull the trigger! So what
to do on a budget?
I've been steering a
whole slew of people towards the S&W M&P15. I'm not sold on
the "T" models that come with the rails, but the M&P15
with carry handle (that can be cut down into a fixed BUIS for free), or
the M&P15A
that comes with the excellent Troy flip-up rear BUIS, can generally be
found on Gunsamerica for between $900 and $1,000.
What you're giving up by saving that $400-$500 vs. the Noveske is the
barrel, first and foremost. There are other differences, but the
barrel is the big one. The S&W is an M4 profile (skinny under the
handguards, notch in front of FSB for grenade launcher mount, etc.)
which may not be the most practical for all users but is certainly
serviceable. The S&W barrel also isn't made of the same quality
steel as the Noveske, doesn't have the same chrome lining (although it
is chrome lined), and has a standard carbine-length gas system vs. the
mid-length of the Noveske Recce N4. The Noveske is also 1:7 rifling
vs. the 1:9 of the S&W.
Add to that
basic S&W M&P15 and Aimpoint C3 in a Larue or ADM mount for
$450, and you have yourself one hell of a functional rifle for $1500.
The
other thing that the S&W has going for it is that it can be found
at almost any gun shop that stocks black rifles, and can certainly be
found at any Gun Show. You may pay more to a local dealer, but for
some people that is worth not having to deal with the hassle of mail
order firearms and the local dealer transfer costs.
