The venerable AR-15 platform has come a protracted methods since its inception within the mid-1950’s. Whereas the primary few many years price of progress inside the platform had been pushed by army necessity by the M-16, the large gross sales increase following the sundown of the “assault weapons” ban in 2004 noticed an enormous inflow of R&D {dollars}. Whereas there are innumerable variations of the AR-15 now, I’d argue that solely a handful of those iterative developments have been actually transformative. One such enchancment could be ambidextrous controls, as discovered within the SilencerCo SCO-15 receiver set.
Whereas Magpul’s BAD lever aimed to carry concerning the Ambidextrous Revolution in 2012 (regardless of being beat to market by a knock-off firm), it wasn’t till 2014 that San Tan Tactical launched the primary ambi decrease receiver. Within the decade that adopted, a lot of firms have thrown their hats into the ring, together with immediately’s specimen. The SilencerCo SCO-15 ambi decrease receiver and matching higher receiver.
Tech Specs, SilencerCo SCO-15 Decrease
Integral Ambidextrous Anti-Rotation QD Sling Cops at Rear of Receiver Proprietary Ambidextrous Bolt Catch / Launch (Included) Enlarged Integral Set off Guard Flared Journal Effectively Designed to be used with customary mil-spec decrease elements equipment and buffer meeting 45- to 90-degree hearth selector window for short-throw hearth selectors Rear tensioner bolt gap (bolt not included) Machined in-house by SilencerCo out of 7075 Billet Aluminum
The place To Purchase
Tech Specs, SilencerCo SCO-15 Higher
Precision machined from billet 7075 aluminum and completed in kind III hardcoat anodize. Includes a mil-spec 1913 picatinny rail and M4 feed ramps. Suitable with mil-spec ahead assists and dirt covers (not included in buy).
The place To Purchase
So, the SilencerCo SCO-15 decrease is clearly extra of a feature-heavy merchandise than the higher. There’s actually little or no to say concerning the higher, aside from it’s in spec and has functioned simply advantageous. Oh additionally, there’s some shade variation between the higher and decrease. Actually, it’s extra of a lightweight gloss than shade. It’s noticeable throughout unboxing and when the objects are model new, a lot much less so as soon as they’ve been exterior. I’ve heard this about kind III anodizing earlier than, however right here’s the official assertion.
“SilencerCo uppers are completed with Sort 3 hardcoat anodize, this course of varieties a particularly arduous, abrasion resistant end. Whereas this end gives superior outcomes, it will probably trigger some variance within the end shade. SilencerCo can’t assure {that a} SCO-15 Decrease will probably be an actual match with a SilencerCo higher.“
So lets check out the decrease, the beating coronary heart of this operation.
The set off guard is enlarged, a given contemplating how usually the Utah-based SilencerCo’s clients (and staff) take these weapons into excessive altitude (and excessive latitude). Loads of room for gloved set off fingers.
The journal properly of the SilencerCo SCO-15 is flared, a near-standard amongst billet receivers.
QD sling attachment factors (cup model) are discovered on each side of the decrease, towards the rear of the receiver (naturally).
The protection markings are arrange for you to have the ability to use both a 45-degree brief throw security lever or a regular mil-spec 90 diploma throw lever. A pleasant little engraved “window” spans the hole between 46 levels and 89 levels of throw. Whereas the decrease can settle for an ambi security lever simply advantageous, I didn’t have one so as to add.
The magazine launch button is the one merchandise that may be ambidextrous, however isn’t. Normal mil-spec button and placement, works in addition to it ever has.
The bolt cease/launch lever, nevertheless, is ambidextrous. Close to the journal launch button on the proper hand aspect of the receiver is a small lever that when raised engages the bolt cease. Whenever you hit the lever downward, the bolt drops. This performs the identical perform as Magpul’s BAD lever, however will get your set off finger a bit of additional away from the journal properly.
It’s price taking only a second longer on the ambi bolt cease/launch. That is actually the important thing characteristic individuals are going to purchase (or not) the SilencerCo SCO-15.
First, let’s cowl why there’s a perceived want for a proper aspect bolt cease/launch. First, for the true ambidextrous (or just left handed) shooter, this isn’t actually the answer. The way in which the SCO-15 is designed does present an enormous profit to right-handed shooters over the mil-spec design. Conserving your firing hand on the grip and permitting you to lock and launch the bolt along with your index finger (whereas racking the bolt along with your left hand) is way sooner than taking your proper hand off the pistol grip and racking the bolt with it whereas locking the bolt again along with your left hand.
For comparability’s sake, I vastly choose the SCO-15 to the San Tan Tactical’s design, with STT choosing a button as an alternative of an up/down lever. My expertise is that if you’re taking pictures below stress (and/or sporting gloves), placing two related sized buttons subsequent to one another with vastly completely different functions is a mistake.
Arms On
After assembling the SilencerCo SCO-15 receivers with a decrease construct equipment, a V Seven Weapon Programs Enlightened handguard, the superb Trident barrel from X2 Dev Group and an AAC 762SDN-6 suppressor mount, I lived on the vary for a number of days. Barrel testing, optics testing and a few enjoyable CQB drills meant I had alternative to check out each facet of the SilencerCo SCO-15.
It took me a bit of bit to get used to the precise location of the SCO-15’s launch lever, principally on account of my major rifle having a Magpul BAD lever for the previous eight years. A pair dry hearth/malfunctions drill periods cleared that up simply. The SilcencerCo SCO-15 is an enormous enchancment in purposeful pace over the mil-spec design and a extra dependable model than the assorted push-button ambi bolt releases available on the market.
The SCO-15 decrease receiver did completely the whole lot you’ll anticipate it to. Flared magwell? Simple reloads. Ambi bolt cease/launch? Sooner manipulation of controls, fingers down. Receivers should not complicated elements, and neither is that this improved design.
Backside Line
The SilencerCo SCO-15 is unquestionably an improve over the inventory mil-spec AR-15 decrease receiver, and I’d argue it’s an enchancment over push button model ambi lowers as properly. Is it definitely worth the worth? That’s so that you can determine. The SilencerCo SCO-15 ambi decrease receiver runs $269, whereas the higher runs $219. Each go on sale fairly usually. Test em out!
–Try extra articles from Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or go to him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.
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