This one hits close to home. I was going to build one of these, but decided that having all that weight on the barrel would make the rifle feel very heavy. Granted, it's a cool way to pack 50 rounds! It still me be a future buy.
This is a AR57 upper made by a company called "AR Five Seven". PW Arms also makes one but I'm pretty sure this is an original AR Five Seven upper. It utilized the 5.7x28mm cartridge that is usually used in the FN P90 and the FN Five-SeveN semi auto pistol. The best features of this upper/ammo combination is that it utilizes FN P90 50 round magazines and the recoil is pretty light. It pushes a 31gr bullet out past 2,350fps. It was originally designed to replace the 9mm to increase capacity, increase accuracy, reduce over penetration, and reduce recoil.
The upper is pretty much factory stock, including the flash hider and sports a 12" barrel. This out is outfitted with Magpul MBUS sights, an Aimpoint T-1 dot scope on a quick release riser mount (Probably American Defense or Daniel Defense). The stock is a Magpul UBR, grip is a Magpul MIAD, and the flashlight is an older Surefire M900 (Pre-LED).
Most people may ask, "If it uses a P90 magazine and it sits on top of the barrel, why is there a AR-15 magazine inserted in the lower"? The reason is this: The AR57 upper is designed to bottom eject, through the AR magazine well. Most (like this one) will take a 30rnd Pmag, cut the top feed lips off the magazine, remove the follower and spring, and use the magazine as a shell catcher. Pretty smart! BTW: Those black stickers on the magazine is grip tape, sold by Magpul.
The charging handle is non-reciprocating which allows all the gas to either exit the barrel or go down the magazine well. This makes it an AWESOME platform for running a suppressor and for a southpaw shooter like me.
With all it's benefits, the AR57 upper does have some limitations.
1. You NEED to use factory FN P90 mags. Luckily, they are only about $30-40 bucks. Aftermarket mags have proven to have feed issues.
2. You have a LOT of extra weight on the barrel, which makes the rifle feel heavier.
3. The $800 price tag is a BIG pill to swallow.
Still, if I can sell my AK and one of my ARs , it will be on my "To Buy List", along with the Saiga 12 that was pictured earlier. :)
Skatchkins wrote: