Overview
An offshoot of RSW Aviation, North Star Arms is the second and extra business firearms endeavor that has sprouted from the Arizona firm. The elder RSW-related gun firm is the better-known Profense, a maker of improved M134 Mini Weapons in 7.62 and its downsized 5.56 little brother that began when RWS was searching for gun pods for its plane.
North Star has solely gotten into the AR recreation very lately, and from the outset it sought to construct a low value level gun (round $1K) with premium options that may be robust to beat in its class. We got here throughout our take a look at gun in sort of an unorthodox means, however earlier than we get into that, let’s go over these specs for many who are curious.
The Specs
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Motion: DGI, mid-length gasoline system
- General size: 33 inches (buttstock collapsed), 36 inches (prolonged)
- Barrel size: 16 inches, HBAR contour 4150 CMV
- Handguard size: 15 inches
- Set off: ALG Protection Mil-Spec
- Furnishings: Hogue
- Weight: 6.5 kilos, unloaded
Options
RELATED: Unboxing the NS-15 From North Star Arms
On the Vary
We first got here throughout the NS-15 whereas at Gunsite in Paulding, Arizona, during a suppressed carbine event last August. Many of the carbines available to be used within the course have been ArmaLite M-15 LTC (Gentle Tactical Carbine) fashions with 16-inch barrels offered by Strategic Arms Corps. Nonetheless, there have been a few North Stars available as properly. As I’ve shot a lot of ArmaLites earlier than however by no means seen one in every of these, my simple alternative was a North Star NS-15.
In the middle of sighting within the MBUS3s and switching again into subject testing, we chewed by way of half a can of German navy surplus MEN-marked M193, a number of containers of Tula 62 grain .223 – keep in mind, you may run .223 in a 5.56 however ought to steer clear of 5.56 in a .223 – and a few South Korean PMC X-TAC. I added one other 700 rounds to my depend on the NS-15, pushing properly previous the 1,200 mark, with at the least half of that suppressed. Be mindful the carbine had been well-used earlier than its run-in with Weapons.com, having been on the vary at a number of prior occasions.
When it got here to reliability, the carbine was a champ, logging three cleanings (one in Arizona and two in Mississippi) when it obtained particularly sluggish, and two quickly-cleared stoppages (a failure to totally eject Tula on a PMAG and a double feed with German ammo in an previous metal Colt-marked 20 rounder magazine.)
When it got here to accuracy, the NS-15 excelled for a 16-inch barreled carbine with a refined Mil-Spec set off and no magnification. At Gunsite, I simply managed the sensible targets each on the flat vary and within the Scrambler and Shoot Home. Again in Mississippi, working off the bench and on sandbags, I used to be in a position to get some very good teams with match-grade ammo.
Execs & Cons
Professional
- Top quality, correct barrel.
- A number of M-LOK slots, QD cups, and Pic rail size.
- First rate set off.
- Good match and end.
- Dependable, even underneath tough circumstances and with a suppressor.
Cons
- May have a greater set off.
- Grip/inventory might not be for everybody.
Conclusion
North Star has an MSRP on the NS-15 sequence of $1,099, however we have now been carrying them for a superb bit lower than that in latest months. With regards to ARs at about the identical value (or cheaper), there’s a *lot* of competitors on the market, such because the Diamondback DB-15, DoubleStar Solid Star, the IWI Zion-15, S&W M&P Sport, and Springfield Armory Saint Victor. I’ve shot most of these, some extensively, and the NS-15 can undoubtedly dangle with its rivals and even outshines many, particularly when it comes to accuracy.
Competitors is an effective factor, and the NS-15 has taken the sector able to play.
Supply
North Star NS-15 Review :: Guns.com is written by for www.guns.com