Estimated studying time: 14 minutes
The FLUX Raider X is, as of this writing, the newest enlargement of the Flux Protection PDW chassis lineup. Using this P320 chassis offers you probably the most compact and versatile PDWs in the marketplace.
Raider X Overview: Desk of contents
Flux Raider X P320 Chassis
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Preface
My first introduction to FLUX and the PDW idea was by way of a Brass Information video I noticed just a few years in the past. The thought didn’t acquire a lot traction with me then however over time I started to see the practicality of a PDW. When the Raider X was launched it appeared to be the right time to attempt one for myself. I contacted FLUX, they usually had been glad to mortgage me one for evaluation.
PDW Idea and Use Case
To finest see the aim of a weapon like this it helps to know the PDW idea as a complete. PDW merely stands for Private Protection Weapon. Like most acronyms, breaking it down provides us solely essentially the most broad concept of its which means. To be extra particular, a PDW is a firearm that offers the person extra functionality than a handgun however with out being a lot bigger than a handgun that it’s not ultimately concealable.
PDWs are the step between your EDC pistol and preventing rifle. The advantage of the PDW is its elevated effectiveness over the pistol, with solely a marginal dimension enhance. Whether or not there’s civil unrest in your metropolis otherwise you simply should go to the unhealthy a part of city, having a PDW provides you the choice to hold one thing simpler than a pistol whereas not drawing additional consideration to your self.
Normal knowledge says to keep away from sketchy conditions however once they can’t be averted, discreteness is essential. Stick plates below your shirt, a hid carry pistol, and a PDW slung below a jacket draw so much much less consideration than a Tactical Tommy together with his rifle and full equipment. By letting your weapon go unnoticed, you keep away from being seen as a risk, or worse, a goal.
It could be unusual to consider carrying a PDW, however I’m satisfied that, for defensive functions at the very least, a PDW is extra helpful than an AR-15 for almost all of us. We have now all thought of our preventing rifles when it comes to SHTF or that “simply in case” situation, however realistically, issues not often get unhealthy sufficient to warrant their use. It’s way more doubtless for a state of affairs to dictate a discrete PDW than a preventing rifle.
Raider X First Look
As I unboxed my new P320 chassis, the very first thing that caught my consideration was the chassis rigidity and general really feel of high quality. From the grip texture to the smoothness of the magazine launch, every little thing feels well-engineered, executed, and fitted.
Assembling the Raider X
Becoming my Sig P320 into the Raider X couldn’t have been simpler. I eliminated the slide and FCU from the P320 after which put in the FCU within the Raider. After that, the slide slid proper on, and I used to be executed. Your entire course of took lower than 5 minutes.
I used a SIG P320 BXR3, however any full-size P320 with no guide security will work (with this P320 chassis; when you use a distinct mannequin or model, it would be best to double-check for appropriate fitment). Compact P320s may even work within the chassis however it’s not beneficial to make use of these until you’re operating a flash hider or suppressor. With out both of these units, your hand could be dangerously near the muzzle.
Mounting Optics
The Raider X incorporates a four-slot part of Picatinny rail close to the rear of the body for mounting optics. I selected to mount a Holosun HS403B, however any variety of pink dots would work.
This pink dot sits on the excellent top for me, even with no riser. My cheek rides in opposition to the telescoping arms of the brace and my head stays upright as I view the dot by way of the optic. It sits excessive sufficient that I may even get a sight image whereas sporting a dirtbike helmet; though I’d in all probability add a riser if I deliberate on taking pictures with a helmet extra typically.
The Brace On The Raider X
Essentially the most recognizable function of the Raider is its quick-deploy brace. With the manipulation of a single lever, a brace shoots from the rear of the chassis like a stiletto and locks itself into place.
That is my favourite function primarily as a result of it’s so enjoyable. I can’t choose this gun up with out popping the brace out a few instances. It has a sort of James Bond really feel that hasn’t gotten outdated even after a whole lot of instances.
Along with making me really feel like a undercover agent, the brace’s perform can also be sensible. The discharge lever is situated just under the ejection port above the set off guard. That is the right place to be manipulated by your set off finger as you current the weapon.
I’ve discovered the power to deploy the inventory one-handed to be a giant plus. It cuts time as I choose up the gun and get it on the right track. As a result of the inventory extension can occur by itself as I increase the weapon there is no such thing as a want for a separate operation.
Mounting Equipment
This unit options one ahead accent rail situated below the muzzle within the six-o-clock place. Most any mild will match right here however longer lights will stick out previous the body including to the general size of the gun. With compactness being the entire function of this weapon, I made a decision to mount a TLR-7® HL-X USB. This mild is slim and compact but produces 1000 lumens and 22000 candela.
Rail sections may also be added to the three-o-clock and nine-o-clock positions. These could be good to mount an IR laser when you needed to make use of this gun with evening imaginative and prescient however protecting it as slim as doable will serve my wants higher so I left them off.
There are two quick-detach sling mounting factors built-in into the Raider X. Each are on the left facet, one is between the grip and optic mount on the body and the opposite is on the brace. A lot of folks run single-point sling with these as a result of they’re so small however I choose a light-weight two-point that makes use of each QD factors. I choose this setup as a result of you’ll be able to preserve the sling good and tight for carry then while you activate the inventory it successfully provides ten inches to the sling permitting you extra vary of motion.
Ahead Magazine Properly
The second distinctive function of the Raider is the spare magazine nicely. Whereas I’m usually not a fan of magazine carriers that connect your spare to the gun itself, I like the way it was executed on the Raider. Plus, having additional ammo contained inside the one bundle does match with the PDW use case.
Shorter than the primary magwell, the spare will maintain a wide range of mags however even the shortest will protrude a few inches. Whereas not technically a grip, the protruding magazine does present an excellent place to your help hand.
The magazine launch for the spare magazine is nicely thought out, to say the least. It’s situated below the set off guard simply behind the spare magazine. It is a prime location to be actuated by the thumb of the help hand because it grabs the spare. A half-press releases the spare and a full-press releases each the spare and the first concurrently.
The twin-function magazine launch makes for a novel reloading expertise and with follow, will be fairly quick.
Raider X Controls
Along with the dual-purpose magazine launch, there’s additionally a launch for the first magazine within the typical location; the left facet of the grip, accessible by the right-hand thumb. Lastly, there’s a THIRD major magazine launch ahead of the set off guard on the proper facet of the body. Though accessible by my set off finger, I don’t suppose I’ve ever used this launch. The opposite two have simply confirmed to be extra intuitive.
As I’ve already talked about, the brace is deployed by miserable the lever on the proper facet of the body close to the ejection port. The identical lever is depressed to unlock the inventory from the prolonged place so it may be stowed.
One other nice function is the guide security. I keep away from guide safeties on most handguns however since this isn’t carried in a holster a guide security is a should. The change is situated in an excellent place and is definitely accessible by my thumb. The security has an excellent really feel because it snaps firmly from secure to fireplace and again once more.
At The Vary With the Raider X
I had at all times assumed that the Raider could be simpler than my G19 however the query is that if it gives sufficient of a bonus to warrant the extra price, dimension, and weight.
To check this I experimented by evaluating my G19 to the FLUX Raider X throughout six totally different programs of fireside. All drills had been carried out chilly. Targets are 7”x9”. Listed below are my outcomes.
1. First Spherical On Goal
Beginning with the weapon holstered or slung, put one spherical on the right track from ten yards. G19 averaged 1.41s and the Raider averaged 1.85s. This result’s about what I anticipated. Discovering the grip on a gun slung to your facet is so much much less constant than one that’s in a holster.
2. Recoil Management
Ranging from low prepared, put 5 pictures on the right track from ten yards. The averages had been 2.24s for the G19 and 1.32s for the Raider. Right here we begin to see the benefit that comes with a brace. With the improved recoil management of the braced Raider, I used to be in a position to preserve the dot on the right track and let my finger run.
3. One Handed Recoil Management
Beginning at low prepared, put 5 rounds on the right track from ten yards utilizing just one hand. G19 averaged 4.9s and the Raider averaged 3.05s. As soon as once more the braced PDW helped me put rounds on the right track extra rapidly than the usual pistol. I believe this sheds mild on one other use case for the Raider. I would like the Raider arms down any time a one-handed operation is probably going, possibly carrying kids or managing a crowd. The brace gave me the second level of contact wanted to get on the right track rapidly and deal with the recoil.
4. Transitions
To follow transitions I arrange two targets 5 yards aside and engaged them from ten yards. I’d shoot 4 rounds switching targets between every shot. The averages had been 3.15s for the G19 and a couple of.25s for the Raider. I discovered that the Raider was sooner to transition because it was tucked in near my physique and moved extra quickly than the pistol held at arm’s size.
5. Reload
Subsequent, from ten yards I’d put one spherical on the right track, do a slide lock reload, and put a second spherical on the identical goal. The G19 averaged 2.8s and the Raider averaged 3s. This end result was essentially the most surprising of the bunch. I believed the raider with Its onboard spare would certainly beat out my reload from the belt. I chalked this one as much as inexperience as I haven’t practiced reloads with the Raider practically as a lot as I’ve with my G19.
6. Consistency At Distance
Lastly, To check at a bit longer vary I backed as much as thirty yards, began at low prepared then put three rounds on the right track. The averages had been 2.82s for the G19 and a couple of.08s for the Raider. As anticipated, the added stability of the brace continued to be helpful.
To place it merely, the Raider is extra controllable. This turns out to be useful for quick follow-up pictures, taking pictures at a distance, and goal transitions. Downsides embrace a slower first spherical on the right track when you may have it slung to your facet and reload which takes some specialised follow to grasp.
Further Advantages
As I spend time with the Raider I proceed to search out new advantages of getting a small gun like this. First, it’s straightforward to journey with. Usually, once I journey, I simply toss just a few additional mags for my G19 into my backpack. Until I’m going someplace the place I plan on looking or taking pictures I often don’t convey a rifle because it’s a problem lugging it round accommodations and I don’t need to depart it within the automotive. The Raider is sufficiently small to be tucked away inside my regular backpack and nonetheless provides plenty of functionality.
On that very same notice, flying is far simpler with the Raider. It could actually match right into a pistol case inside your baggage so it removes the headache of checking a devoted rifle case.
Second, I like to hold it whereas using my grime bike. Not having to put on a gun belt to help my pistol rig frees up my hips for higher motion, and the Raider slung below my arm is much less prone to snag on brush than a pistol on my hip.
Lastly, It makes an excellent truck gun. For individuals who depart a weapon of their car, I believe this can be a good possibility as a result of it may well match within the glove field. That is sooner to entry than a rifle below your again seat and most glove bins will be locked so you’ll be able to higher safe your gun when not within the car.
Last Ideas On the Raider X
As I’m certain you’ll be able to inform by now, I’ve turn out to be fairly a fan of the Flux Raider X. It does nicely to fill the function of a PDW and for a relatively good value. The Raider X chassis presently retails for $540. That plus the price of a P320 continues to be nicely below the $2400 B&T TP9, which is without doubt one of the Raider’s most comparable opponents.
READ MORE: Flip Your P320 into an SBR: Flux Raider — SHOT Present 2023
The raider is without doubt one of the finest methods to dip your toe into the world of PDWs. It’s a satisfying mix of enjoyable and practicality that I’ve discovered with few different weapons.
Further Studying and References
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