The best rifle of 2023? The IWI Carmel!

Published on September 17, 2023
Duration: 21:54

This review of the IWI Carmel rifle, presented by 'thegatman', highlights its performance and features after approximately 850 rounds. The reviewer notes the rifle's soft-shooting characteristics, attributed to its short-stroke piston system, and praises its ambidextrous controls and proprietary two-stage trigger. However, concerns are raised regarding heat buildup from the pencil barrel and short-stroke piston, and a potential design flaw with the dust cover interfering with casing ejection when the stock is folded.

Quick Summary

The IWI Carmel rifle offers a soft-shooting experience with its short-stroke piston and features fully ambidextrous controls and a quality two-stage trigger. However, potential users should be aware of heat buildup from the pencil barrel and a critical dust cover issue that can cause malfunctions when the stock is folded.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and First Impressions
  2. 01:57Relationship with IWI and Sponsor
  3. 03:40Barrel and Heat Management
  4. 05:29Short Stroke Piston System
  5. 05:52Rail Design and Ergonomics
  6. 10:10Dust Cover and Stock Malfunction Issue
  7. 13:28Ambidextrous Controls and Bolt Release
  8. 15:50Proprietary Trigger Performance
  9. 16:30Magazine Release and Grip
  10. 16:47Sling Attachment Points
  11. 17:02Stock and Cheek Riser
  12. 17:50Overall Impressions and Reliability
  13. 19:00Final Thoughts and Concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the IWI Carmel rifle?

The IWI Carmel features a 16-inch pencil barrel, a short-stroke gas piston system with adjustable settings, a large M-LOK compatible aluminum rail, fully ambidextrous controls, and a proprietary two-stage trigger. It also includes an adjustable stock with a cheek riser.

What are the main pros and cons of the IWI Carmel?

Pros include its soft-shooting nature, excellent ambidextrous controls, and a high-quality trigger. Cons involve potential heat buildup from the pencil barrel and short-stroke piston, and a critical design issue where the dust cover can interfere with ejection when the stock is folded.

How does the IWI Carmel handle heat during firing?

The combination of a pencil barrel and short-stroke piston can lead to significant heat buildup, making gloves or rail panels advisable for sustained firing. The reviewer noted it became uncomfortably hot after shooting around 850 rounds.

Is the IWI Carmel a reliable rifle?

After approximately 850 rounds, the reviewer found the IWI Carmel to be reliable, with the primary concern being the dust cover's interaction with the folded stock. Further testing with 2,000-3,000 rounds is planned for a more definitive reliability assessment.

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