If you want the lightest-recoiling .50 BMG rifle and don't mind the 34-pound weight, the Armalite may be the one for you. We found it to be a dependable, well-built rifle at a reasonable price.
Gun Details
Manufacturer
Model Name
Model Number
Law Enforcement
Hunting
Recreational
Competition
Price
Caliber/Gauge
Caliber Plus Cartridge
Capacity
Weight Unloaded
Warranty
Drop at Front Comb
Drop at Back Comb
Length of Pull
Action Type
Action Finish
Barrel Finish
Sights
Trigger Pull Weight
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The size and machining of
this massive bolt is astounding.
The two Allen-head bolts
for removing the buttstock
are located just below the
rear of the bolt. The large
safety is located on the end
of the bolt (horizontal is fire
and near vertical is safe). It
is interesting to note that if
the safety is in the safe
position and the trigger is
pulled, the hammer drops,
but the firing pin is prevented from moving forward, so the bolt has to
be re-opened and closed again to cock the rifle. All of the other rifles
tested have an AR-15-style safety that prevents the hammer from
being dropped when the trigger is squeezed. The knurled nuts of the
easily removed scope mount can be clearly seen.
Here, the cheek piece is adjusted
in the lowest position.
The buttstock-removal Allenhead
bolts are visible. At the
rear of the bolt, the slot that
the safety slides into when the
trigger is pulled is clearly
visible. The thick, contoured
buttpad cushions impact.
Slot for
sliding bipod
along the
length of the
stock is
clearly
visible. This
was the only
rifle that had
this feature.
The small Allen-head bolt that
allows the bipod to be tightened
down is also visible.
The muzzle brake was the most
effective at reducing recoil,
although we are certain the 34-
pound weight of the rifle figured
into the equation.
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Firearms Prices
Gun Tests has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989. This website contains many older reviews. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry the guns' prices at the time of the original review
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