Posted on 11/25/2012 4:48:12 AM PST by marktwain
When it comes to high-end weapons, there's a new company in town that's changing the way people think about rifles.
Founded in 2010, Proof Research of Kalispell specializes in creating lightweight, accurate weapons using carbon-fiber barrels and stocks unlike anything else on the market.
“Large gun manufacturers know we have the technology and we're being courted by some big names,” said Pat Rainey, chief executive officer of Proof Research. “We've changed the gun industry, just like the polymer pistol did. The cool factor of our weapons is off the page.”
Joining forces in the Flathead
While Proof Research may only be two years old, it is made up of four companies that have years of rifle-making experience, according to Rainey. Proof is actually a merger of Lone Wolf Riflestocks of Kalispell, Jense Fabrication of Missoula, ABS out of Lincoln, Neb., and Lawrence Rifle Barrels of Lewistown.
“Lots of people have tried to do this for many years,” Rainey said. “The idea of a carbon-fiber barrel has been around for 20 years. We're just the first to crack the code.”
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“We can take a 19-pound barrel off of a .50-caliber sniper rifle and we can make it 2.2 pounds, so the heaviest thing on the gun is the glass from the sight,” Rainey said. “That's a huge weight savings, and in the past you'd have guys jump in and have to leave the barrel behind because it was just too heavy to get out easily. Now it's no big deal to pack it out, too.”
I think these have been around for a while. I looked at them for a Rgr. 10/22 and the reviews said the barrels were junk and no accuracy. I don’t remember the name of the company but I’ll wait until there are more public tests and reviews.
Stronger meaning the barrel won't bend during the shot? It still doesn't counteract the forces as a heavier barrel would. Unless there is some way of compensating for the "reaction" to the "action" the barrel will tend to move easier during the expulsion of gases.
The Winchester Model 59 shotgun came with the “Win-Lite” barrel which was fiberglass wrapped around a steel core. It was a semi-auto that weighed in around 6 pounds in 12 gauge, and introduced around. It also had one of the earliest, if not the first, screw in choke tube systems.
The disadvantage was the light barrel didn’t promote a smooth swing, and heavy loads quickly beat up the shooter. A bit ahead of it’s time, it was produced from 1960 to 1965.
Yes, the carbon fiber barrel does not have as much "whip" action as steel.
You have to understand the construction. There is a steel barrel that is wrapped in carbon fiber thread in multiple directions, giving incredible rigidity and light weight.
Carbon fiber also does not have hard and soft spots like steel can have that creates harmonic issues with accuracy.
Maybe these rifles have a muzzle break the size of a basketball or something.
Yes, Firearms Freedom Acts started in Montana (or Tennessee, depending on how you measure), but rather than tax evasion (or even avoidance) it's more like "Made in State for Sale In-State to Defeat Improper Federal Overstep Sanctioned in Wickard".
Should be interesting to see if the eight or ten states that have passed FFA's meant it or if it was just saber rattling posturing as The Won (Again) will no doubt be advocating NEW unConstitutional abridgements of our civil rights over the next four years.
Maybe I'm thinking of WY...
ping
“A 5-6 lb AR is appealing to me, but their site lists them as starting about $3,400.”
Take a look at the Keltec SU16C. 4.7 lbs unloaded using regular steel and plastic construction. A Smith muzzle brake makes it really nice to shoot - although pretty noisy off to the sides. Very little recoil and no muzzle rise.
There’s a bunch of problems with carbon fiber wrapped barrels especially in a brute like the .50 BMG.
The big issue that pops up first in my mind is that with the huge amount of heat that the .50 generates on each shot it’s going to quickly overheat the tiny amount of steel in that barrel and they’ll suffer from throat erosion problems if anyone needs to fire off a few fast rounds. And once the throat goes, so does the accuracy.
It sure will kick the shooter's ass a lot more!
I shoot my titanium 41 a bit. With full house factory 41 mags it is a hand full. I load a hard cast 215 swc at 1100fps does a real nice job on game and doesn’t hurt so much.
“Darned fine looking gun. Might take a closer look.”
I believe that the one in the picture is the SU16A. The stock and trigger can be folded by removing a pin - the gun cannot be fired when folded.
The “C” version (SU16C) has a folding stock which neatly swings over the mag making the gun very small but still usable. The trigger section can also fold at a second location by removing a pin but then the gun cannot be fired. The C’s threaded barrel lets you use a muzzle brake which really works well to counteract the recoil resulting from the low gun weight.
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