Franklin Reformation gimmick or useful?

Published on February 16, 2019
Duration: 34:48

The Franklin Armory Reformation is a legally classified 'firearm' designed to circumvent NFA regulations for SBRs, utilizing straight-cut rifling that intentionally causes keyholing. While its binary trigger offers rapid fire, accuracy testing shows significant keyholing and a 3.25-inch group at 50 yards. Ballistics gel tests reveal impressive temporary cavity effects, but terminal performance degrades significantly at 100 yards, limiting its practical use to close-range self-defense or novelty.

Quick Summary

The Franklin Armory Reformation is legally classified as a 'firearm' to circumvent NFA regulations for SBRs. It uses straight-cut rifling causing keyholing, resulting in a 3.25-inch group at 50 yards. While impressive at close range, terminal ballistics degrade significantly at 100 yards, limiting its practical application.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Franklin Armory Reformation
  2. 01:00Legal Context & NFA Circumvention
  3. 02:10Straight Rifling & Keyholing Explained
  4. 04:45Accuracy & Function Testing
  5. 11:07Comparison: CZ Bren 2 Accuracy
  6. 17:13Binary Trigger Performance
  7. 19:09Ballistics Gel & Lethality Test
  8. 21:44Conclusion: Practicality Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Franklin Armory Reformation legally unique?

The Reformation is classified as a 'firearm' rather than a rifle or SBR, allowing it to bypass National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations like the $200 tax and registration, due to its specific barrel design.

How does the Reformation's straight rifling affect accuracy?

It uses straight-cut rifling, intentionally causing bullets to tumble ('keyhole') in flight. This results in accuracy limitations, with tests showing a 3.25-inch group at 50 yards, though it surprisingly maintains a relatively straight trajectory.

What are the terminal ballistics like for the Reformation?

At close range (15 yards), the tumbling bullet creates a significant temporary cavity in ballistics gel. However, at 100 yards, it loses substantial energy, failing to penetrate effectively, making it unsuitable for hunting or self-defense at distance.

Is the Franklin Armory Reformation useful for self-defense?

Its practical use is limited to very short ranges (under 50 yards) due to significant energy loss and reduced lethality at 100 yards. While legally novel, its effectiveness for self-defense beyond close quarters is questionable.

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