So I finally made it to the range with the new PLR-16 to give it a basic function test/break in. Now, just as background, my intent for this PLR is to file a Form 1, put the stock adapter with a side folder on it and make it into a short barreled rifle. Before filing the $200 form, I wanted to make sure the firearm is worth it as such.
The PLR is a stock model, with a forearm added and a Linear Compensator put on the front.
After making it to the range (had to cut through a downed tree with the trunk hatchet), I was finally ready to do some shooting. Now, I was ready to give some leeway on accuracy as I was using a mix of Lake city 62 grain surplus and 55 grain surplus. Add to that 45 minutes of hatchet work, and accuracy was not the goal, function was.
So here is the PLR:
And with a mix of 20 round Colt and 30 round generic mags I was ready to get to work:
The target was 25 yards out and I was set up for iron sights:
The range is set up to against the side of a hill and is 125 yards deep. Off to the side of me, 75 yards away, there was a couple skeet shooting. The first round caused everyone to stop. Loud BARELY covers it. Barely. One of the guys yelled over, "I HEARD THAT!" *What he heard was the sound of the blast directed 100% forward into the side of a hill and bounced back right into me! I tried to get a movie of it's blast/sound:
Quickly, I identified three serious problems:
1. Failure To Feed - The PLR will not load rounds in tightly packed magazines. It does not jam, instead it just does not lift the rounds. Sometimes the 30 round mags will not lock into position if fully loaded. The 20 round mags work best but only if loaded to 18 rounds or less. Maybe other mags would work better, but I doubt it. The majority of the problems were with the 30 round mags.
2. Failure to Eject - The PLR had one impressive FTE:
3. Adjusting the iron sights - these are at best rudimentary to adjust. Replacing them is job #1.
There were also minor issues - recoil ejecting the light out of the holder no matter how tightly screwed in, as well as loosening the forearm locking nut and the compensator. These can be dealt with.
All in all, I put 100 rounds down range and feel mixed about the results. I am not ready to file the Form 1 on the PLR, nor am I ready to send in the PLR for work. Instead, I am going to scope the PLR and take it back and see if it calms down after another 200 rounds or so.
But I do have to admit, she sure is fun when she is working right:
On the other hand, using it in a self-defense situation would leave a person deaf even if the size is right:
All in all, a mixed bag.
The PLR is a stock model, with a forearm added and a Linear Compensator put on the front.
After making it to the range (had to cut through a downed tree with the trunk hatchet), I was finally ready to do some shooting. Now, I was ready to give some leeway on accuracy as I was using a mix of Lake city 62 grain surplus and 55 grain surplus. Add to that 45 minutes of hatchet work, and accuracy was not the goal, function was.
So here is the PLR:
And with a mix of 20 round Colt and 30 round generic mags I was ready to get to work:
The target was 25 yards out and I was set up for iron sights:
The range is set up to against the side of a hill and is 125 yards deep. Off to the side of me, 75 yards away, there was a couple skeet shooting. The first round caused everyone to stop. Loud BARELY covers it. Barely. One of the guys yelled over, "I HEARD THAT!" *What he heard was the sound of the blast directed 100% forward into the side of a hill and bounced back right into me! I tried to get a movie of it's blast/sound:
Quickly, I identified three serious problems:
1. Failure To Feed - The PLR will not load rounds in tightly packed magazines. It does not jam, instead it just does not lift the rounds. Sometimes the 30 round mags will not lock into position if fully loaded. The 20 round mags work best but only if loaded to 18 rounds or less. Maybe other mags would work better, but I doubt it. The majority of the problems were with the 30 round mags.
2. Failure to Eject - The PLR had one impressive FTE:
3. Adjusting the iron sights - these are at best rudimentary to adjust. Replacing them is job #1.
There were also minor issues - recoil ejecting the light out of the holder no matter how tightly screwed in, as well as loosening the forearm locking nut and the compensator. These can be dealt with.
All in all, I put 100 rounds down range and feel mixed about the results. I am not ready to file the Form 1 on the PLR, nor am I ready to send in the PLR for work. Instead, I am going to scope the PLR and take it back and see if it calms down after another 200 rounds or so.
But I do have to admit, she sure is fun when she is working right:
On the other hand, using it in a self-defense situation would leave a person deaf even if the size is right:
All in all, a mixed bag.