Videos tagged with GWACS Armory

Forgotten Weapons discusses the legal challenges faced by KE Arms, including a lawsuit from GWACS Armory. KE Arms is seeking to fund its legal defense by selling KP-15 and KP-9 receivers, as well as other merchandise. The outcome of the lawsuit could significantly impact the future production of these popular firearm components.

This video details the complex history and ongoing legal battles surrounding the WWSD (What Would Stoner Do) rifle project. It highlights the evolution from a DIY concept to a commercial product, the challenges with GWACS Armory's manufacturing and eventual dissolution, and the subsequent development of the KP-15 lower by KE Arms. The narrative focuses on a lawsuit filed by a revived GWACS Armory against the WWSD project's creators, stemming from alleged intellectual property violations.

This video traces the evolution of the monolithic polymer AR-15 lower receiver, starting with Colt's early experiments and progressing through Cavalry Arms' CAV-15 Mark 1 and Mark 2, GWACS Armory's production, and culminating in KE Arms' modern KP-15. Key design challenges and improvements, such as reinforcing stress points and optimizing material usage, are detailed. The KP-15 represents a significant advancement using digital manufacturing and high-grade glass-filled nylon for enhanced durability and features.

The WWSD project concludes with a 14.5-inch lightweight AR-15 carbine weighing just over 5 lbs, designed to modernize Eugene Stoner's vision. Key features include a polymer lower for durability and heat management, a carbon fiber handguard, and the omission of BUIS in favor of modern optics and night vision devices. The build prioritizes speed, handling, and reliability with high-quality components like the PDQ lever and KE Arms triggers, offering superior performance at a competitive price.

The WWSD project aims for a truly ambidextrous AR-15, with the PDQ Ambi-Bolt Catch identified as the superior solution over the BAD Lever. While the BAD Lever presents significant safety risks due to its placement within the trigger guard, the PDQ requires a permanent modification to the lower receiver. This modification is easily achievable on polymer lowers like the GWACS CAV-15 MKII, taking only minutes with a Dremel. Testing shows the PDQ lever significantly reduces reload times for left-handed shooters, improving performance.

The WWSD 2017 project re-imagines the AR-15 platform by applying Eugene Stoner's original design principles of lightweight and reliability using modern materials like polymers and carbon fiber. The builds focus on a general-purpose rifle, omitting unnecessary legacy features like the forward assist. Two distinct builds are presented: a lightweight 14.5-inch carbine and an 18-inch DMR, both prioritizing durability and functional performance.

This AR-15 mud test demonstrates the rifle's surprising resilience to extreme contamination. Even when subjected to heavy mud ingress with the dust cover open, the custom-built AR-15 functioned flawlessly for ten rounds, only failing to lock open on the last round due to mud affecting the bolt catch. The analysis suggests the AR-15's tight tolerances contribute to its resistance against debris.