The Griffin Armament MKII falls into an fascinating place for me as a reviewer. I’ve heard quite a bit about Griffin over time, however haven’t come throughout one professionally. Whereas their on-line presence in social media and promoting has been a bit contentious at occasions, extra not too long ago Griffin Armament has settled right into a extra skilled groove. Whereas in search of type 1 suppressor mounts, I discovered a diversified catalogue that regarded too spectacular to disregard. I grabbed a Griffin Armament MKII braced pistol, an M4SD-L suppressor and a 1-10x optic of the identical make. In the present day, we glance particularly on the Griffin Armament MKII AR-15.
Tech Specs
Griffin 13.9-in. 416R SS HEDP Barrel
Griffin Enhanced BCG
Griffin Solid Higher And Decrease Sort 3 Hardcoat Anodized
Griffin Full Ambidextrous Decrease w/ 60 diploma Flared Journal Properly and Built-in Set off Guard
Ambidextrous Options: Journal Launch, Bolt Launch & Catch, Security Selector Package and SN-ACH Charging Deal with
Griffin A3 Grip and Enhanced Set off Guard
Griffin Contour Join QD Finish plate
Griffin Maritime Receiver Extension
Griffin AR-SOB (Suppressor Optimized Buffer)
SBA3 Pistol Brace
Griffin RailShield 4-Piece Panel Package
Griffin Low Professional Rail System
Griffin Primo Fuel Block (pinned)
Griffin Silencer Mount Muzzle Gadget
Griffin Dimpled Takedown Pins
Weight: 6 lbs. 5 oz.
General Collapsed Size : 29 in.
I’ll say this, on unboxing the Griffin Armament MKII, I used to be fairly impressed (so far as unboxings go). This can be a fairly gentle setup with wonderful stability and rigidity.
The ambidextrous controls on the decrease receiver are clearly a focus for Griffin Armament, and are slowly (hopefully) turning into a normal amongst trendy construct AR15s. Griffin Armament’s ambi-control setup is way and away my favourite of any AR ambi controls I’ve seen. The bolt launch on the precise aspect is a lever fairly than a magazine release-style button (this fashion is vastly most well-liked), the left aspect has massive paddles for bolt launch and magazine launch, and the ambi security is a excessive traction unit.
The SN-ACH charging deal with is low sufficient profile, but has massive, aggressively textured levers. The huge ridge on the again ought to preclude fuel from escaping into the shooter’s face.
Talking of favorites, there’s one other small and cheap half on the MKII that’s in pole place for my all-time favorites. The grip. Sure, the standard interface between gun and shooter. The Griffin Armament A3 grip has a little bit of nostalgic styling mixed with an ergonomic form and an excellent grip texture. Such a small half can have a giant impact.
The 416R Stainless Metal barrel has been exhaustively examined, with Griffin Armament getting 47,000 rounds out of a single check barrel, which nonetheless had some rifling current in any case that.
The receiver extension (buffer tube) is a maritime selection, that means along with the standard six-positions of inventory/brace adjustment, seven drain/vent holes are additionally current in case you end up storming a seaside.
The Enhanced Bolt Service Group might use a evaluation web page of its personal, with a laundry checklist of specs and upgrades. Brief model, C-158 metal bolt, 4340 cam pin and extractor, Crane O-ring, Melonite end with every thing staked and inspected appropriately. May a ahead vent be a future possibility?
Griffin Armament has made a giant identify for themselves within the suppressor mounting division, so contemplate it no shock you’ll have tons of choices once you’re buying your rifle. I grabbed a Gate Lok closed tine flash hider which doubles as a suppressor mount for the M4SD-L I picked up not too long ago. I mounted a Grifffin Armament 1-10x optic as properly, finishing the trifecta of taking pictures, shushing and seeing.
Vary Time
First issues first, I grabbed a fast zero. I’m not going to re-zero for each completely different ammunition I strive, so my level of influence will change however I’ll nonetheless have the ability to measure accuracy.
Earlier than I get to testing teams, I wish to run a couple of CQB drills. First, this offers the barrel a slight break-in, eradicating any tiny burrs from machining. Second, it’s good apply for me to remain barely present. Third, any ergonomic points will pop up right here after I’m not as targeted on teams.
So, a couple of mags of Prvi Partisan Rangemaster 55-gr. FMJ begins me off, hitting the Infinite Protection self-healing goal, in addition to a couple of numerous metal targets. For ready-ups and strolling drills.
I grabbed the Griffin Armament MKII at an opportune time, having an excellent number of ammo readily available for accuracy testing. I attempted teams with Jesse James 60-gr. Mushy Level (SP), Black Hills 50-gr. V-Max, Hornady 55-gr. FMJBT, Prvi Partisan 55-gr. FMJ, Federal American Eagle 55-gr. FML and Hornady 75-gr. BTHP rounds. Teams had been shot at 25 yards from a Bathroom Deathgrip tripod. Known as flyers had been excluded.
Jesse James 60-gr. SP got here in at 1.6-1.94 MOA
Black Hills 50-gr. V-max got here in between 2.5-3.9 MOA
Hornady 55-gr. FMJBT teams had been 1.69-2.2 MOA
PPU 55-gr. FMJ had been 2.6-3.2 MOA
American Eagle’s solely group was 1.33 MOA
Hornady 75-gr BTHP had been 1.45-1.56 MOA
I shot a couple of extra teams with the suppressor on, and whereas my level of influence modified barely, accuracy stayed constant. If I had been to level at one facet I really feel is holding the MKII again from higher accuracy, I’d say the set off. When the break went my method, I knew precisely the place the spherical was going to hit. Typically it will break a bit otherwise, and the group would widen up. A pleasant two-stage match set off would make this factor fly, I simply understand it. In a future article, I’ll be proving/disproving precisely that.
With an excellent deal with on how the MKII teams up on paper, I went again to the rubber and metal targets. This time working between 25 yards and 100 yards with some run n’ gun drills, in addition to weapon transition and malfunctions clearance drills (utilizing a couple of dud rounds). I added the M4SD-L suppressor for these drills, eager to get an thought of how the MKII handles the fuel, and to test for another points that may pop up.
My preliminary impression of the MKII as properly balanced continues to this present day. Dynamic taking pictures drills with the MKII are downright enjoyable.
I’ve by no means bothered with grip panels of any make earlier than, even tossing away my KAC rail covers. The Griffin Armament RailShield is an efficient, low profile methodology of offering a particularly constant grip zone.
The ambi controls I made such a giant deal about after I first picked up the rifle to run dry fireplace drills? So good. That is positively one of the best ambi setup I’ve seen.
For the primary time I ran off-hand drills with a full complement, to incorporate the magazine launch that’s so usually not on the left aspect in partial ambi setups.
I’ll be writing a separate article on the M4SD-L suppressor and 1-10x optic, however for the reason that suppressor itself impacts the rifle’s capabilities, right here’s my ideas on it.
The Suppressor Optimized Buffer (SOB), Suppressor Normalized Ambi Charging Deal with (SN-ACH) and Primo Fuel Block point out a heavy dedication to creating the MKII as suppressor proof as attainable. The SN-ACH has a excessive ridge that runs alongside the again of the higher receiver, stopping fuel from escaping alongside the standard route. The SOB is not like your commonplace (low-cost) buffer, as a substitute offering a telescoping “deadblow hammer” kind impact designed to extend dwell time, improve feeding reliability and cut back bolt pace.
Fortunately, that funding has paid off. That is positively one of many least gassy suppressed rifles I’ve shot (whereas utilizing a non-flow via suppressor design) with no poisonous clouds being sprayed in my face. I’ve not but adjusted the fuel block and don’t have any cause to but. The rifle is operating advantageous suppressed and unsuppressed. The fuel nonetheless exists, it simply appears to be extra close to me and fewer at me.
The recoil impulse actually doesn’t change a lot with the M4SD-L affixed, it is a low-recoil gun even by .223/5.56 AR-15 requirements. I don’t know precisely how a lot distinction the SOB makes, however I like what’s taking place right here. The gun received fairly mucked up a couple of hundred rounds in as is predicted with a suppressor. No points with reliability even when the gunk piled up.
What I Like, And Don’t
The positives across the Griffin Armament MKII as geared up:
Properly balanced
Correct
Glorious ambi-controls
Suppressor proofed
The weather I really feel will be improved upon:
The optic mount is a horse
The set off is holding this gun again
The underside line although, is that Griffin Armament has produced a pleasant firearm within the MKII collection of AR-15 sample pistols/rifles. This gun has numerous further engineering put into it above and past your commonplace mil-spec fare. The Griffin Armament MKII has an MSRP of $1,720 for the firearm, suppressor mount and furnishings equipment. In the event you’re in search of a rifle that’s a transparent lower above the usual, but gained’t break the financial institution, the Griffin Armament MKII is certainly price a glance. Mix that with one-stop buying to your suppressor (even having the can shipped straight to your door), and also you’ve received a recipe for fulfillment.
Take a look at extra articles from Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or go to him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.
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