Extar EP45 Lightweight Pistol Review

Published on March 15, 2018
Duration: 7:54

This review of the Extar EP45 highlights its extremely lightweight design and pistol caliber carbine-like features. The firearm utilizes standard AR-15 fire control groups and pistol grips, accepts Glock magazines, and ships with an SB Tactical brace for around $400-$420. It features a side-charging handle, threaded barrel with a compensator, and a blowback operating system with an NP3 coated bolt for easier cleaning. The reviewer notes its surprisingly soft shooting for .45 ACP and decent accuracy at 120 yards, despite a brief issue with suppressor thread compatibility.

Quick Summary

The Extar EP45 is an extremely lightweight pistol caliber firearm that functions similarly to a pistol caliber carbine. It features AR-15 controls, accepts Glock magazines, and includes an SB Tactical brace, all for around $400-$420. Its blowback operation and NP3 coated bolt contribute to its ease of use and maintenance.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Introduction to Extar EP45
  2. 00:09Extar Company Overview
  3. 00:18Pistol Caliber Carbine Market Trend
  4. 00:49Extar EP45 as a Pistol Caliber Carbine
  5. 00:55Price and Included Brace
  6. 01:03AR-15 Controls and Grip
  7. 01:15Side Charging Handle and Threaded Barrel
  8. 01:18Magazine Compatibility (Glock)
  9. 01:28Caliber Options (9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP)
  10. 01:42Close-Up Look at the Extar EP45
  11. 01:49Fire Control Group and Pistol Grip
  12. 01:56Last Round Bolt Hold-Open
  13. 02:02Side Charging Mechanism
  14. 02:05Blowback Design and Buffer
  15. 02:09Brace Tube Attachment
  16. 02:22Adjustable Brace Tube
  17. 02:43NP3 Coated Bolt
  18. 02:55Barrel Flats for Wrench
  19. 03:08Rear Takedown Pin
  20. 03:11Front Takedown Pin Absence
  21. 03:15Slide Forward Takedown
  22. 03:24Upper and Lower Separation
  23. 03:38Upper Disassembly
  24. 03:47Charging Handle Removal
  25. 03:51Bolt and Weight Assembly Removal
  26. 04:03Bolt Assembly Separation
  27. 04:11Firing Pin Retention
  28. 04:17Buffer Retention Plate
  29. 04:39AR-15 Compatibility Aspects
  30. 04:45Trigger Swapping
  31. 04:52Ergonomic Familiarity
  32. 05:03Reassembly
  33. 05:04Last Round Bolt Hold-Open Positions
  34. 05:37Bolt Hold-Open Nuisance Avoidance
  35. 05:45Optic Mounting (Metro Light M-21)
  36. 05:52Optic Mounting (RMR)
  37. 05:57Shooting with Compensator
  38. 06:01Shooting Suppressed (Attempt)
  39. 06:22Shooting Impressions (Soft Shooting)
  40. 06:28Compensator Effectiveness
  41. 06:33Accuracy Test (120 Yards)
  42. 06:40Recoil Assessment
  43. 06:44Suppressor Thread Issue
  44. 06:55Excitement for Suppressed Shooting
  45. 07:01Conclusion and Summary
  46. 07:03Lightweight Design Emphasis
  47. 07:09Competitor Analysis
  48. 07:17AR vs. Pistol Caliber Carbine
  49. 07:22Key Features Recap
  50. 07:27Viewer Questions and Call to Action
  51. 07:35Sign Off

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Extar EP45 and what are its key features?

The Extar EP45 is an extremely lightweight pistol caliber firearm, often compared to a pistol caliber carbine. It features standard AR-15 fire control groups, accepts Glock magazines, and comes with an SB Tactical brace. It has a side-charging handle, a threaded barrel with a compensator, and operates on a blowback system.

How does the Extar EP45 handle recoil and what is its accuracy like?

The Extar EP45 is surprisingly soft-shooting for a .45 ACP blowback firearm. The included compensator significantly helps manage muzzle rise. The reviewer found it to be accurate enough to hit a 6-8 inch steel plate at 120 yards.

What is the price point and value of the Extar EP45?

The Extar EP45 is priced around $400-$420, making it a very competitive option for those looking for a lightweight pistol caliber carbine-style firearm. This price point is significantly lower than building a similar firearm from scratch.

What are the disassembly and maintenance advantages of the Extar EP45?

The EP45 features a simplified takedown process with a rear pin and a front slide-off design. The bolt assembly is coated with NP3, which is known for its durability and ease of cleaning, making maintenance more straightforward.

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