AXTS Weapon System AX556 Lower

**muddywings** · 11-14-2012, 14:28

I'm new to the game and new here but thought I would add a review of a little known (from what I gather) AR lower manufacturer.

I am going to start out with I’m not an expert. I haven’t been into ARs before. And I’m not an expert. Just looking to contribute.

My wife shoots lefty and I'm a normal person

so for my first AR build I went with the full ambi theme which brought me to AXTS Weapons:
http://axtsweapons.com/

Let me run the basics of the build then the review:

AX556 lower
http://axtsweapons.com/products/AX556
BADASS Ambi Safety (ordered w/ the lower through AXTS) 45 degree throw.
http://axtsweapons.com/products/BAD
AXTS Raptor charging handle (ambi)
http://axtsweapons.com/products/raptor
Giessele: SSA trigger
Magpul: MIAD grip/CTR stock, MBUS sights
Spikes Tactical Heavy Buffer
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ST-T2...al-p/st-t2.htm
BCM 16" middy upper with VTAC Alpha rail:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-B...h%20vtrx13.htm
IWC handstop and sling mount:
http://www.impactweaponscomponents.c...control-mount/
http://www.impactweaponscomponents.c...s2-ms3-slings/
IKH SLAP Plate
http://www.ikickhippies.com/
TACSTRAP
http://www.tacstrap.com/product.html

On to the review:
After placing the order, I asked for an estimated deliver date and was given a 60 day wait period. At the 5-week point, I was about to start ordering other parts so I asked if they were still on schedule. I received a quick reply stating they had some machine issues would be sending out a mass email shortly. Next day I was advised another 6-7 weeks. That would put it 2.5-3 months. (ehh-- crap happens) That date slipped 2 more times for a final delivery date of 4 months from order point. If you are interested, then prepare to wait. The rep (Abe) did offer me a deal on the raptor CH but I already had it. I was hoping for some type of delay discount but was at work and really busy dealing with various issues so I didn't have time to talk.
It was shipped out quickly and received it fast (via FFL).
The lower is beautiful and has a pmag design for the magwell. There are some custom parts and it comes with the mag release button and the right side bolt drop system pre-installed. It also has a small pin on a spring that makes contact with the rear takedown pin putting pressure on it so that the upper is wiggle free. It also comes with some other custom parts (loose in bag):
A bolt catch that has a bit of an extension/lengthened to the rear of the paddle
Bolt catch pin which is threaded so no need for a punch (and it comes with the allen wrench)—very NICE IMHO
Front take down pin (due to the architecture in the front)
Hammer pin (due to the architecture of that area)
ADAC pin to connect the right side mag release button to the bolt catch (see website).
Obviously you have to order a few other parts. I would have rather they included the rest of the ‘minor’ parts and springs such as bolt catch detent and spring, front/rear takedown detents and springs, safety detent and spring and just left the trigger group, grip and stock assembly group left. But that is just me quibbling. (and that is from memory so check the website)
I would have also rather they left all the mag release and right side bolt drop loose for me to assemble so I can get in there and learn it. I’ll probably get bold some day and take it apart—maybe. Also there were no instructions but none really needed I guess other than I would have liked to have a part list to the pre-installed items.

Again, fit and finish were perfect. So some minor notes:
· The hammer pin that fits in makes a very impressive finished look.
· The ADAC pin just drops in before you install the bolt catch. Ingeniously simple
· The bolt catch pin that treads in is very nice feature. I didn’t use any locktite on it and not sure if I should. Will keep an eye on it for a while.
· While installing the grip I noticed a small allen bolt that connects to the rear takedown ‘push pin’ I guess you would say. I didn’t do any adjusting on.

Everything else went together smoothly. Trigger group went in with just a light tap of a ballpeen hammer. I didn’t stake the castle nut. Nothing else really to report. I had removed the rail and installed the handstop and the sling mount prior to install. Probably about 45 minutes total to put the whole thing together with about 15 of that on the handgrip screw because I didn’t have a magnetized screwdriver. Another 15 minutes be I had issues with get the SLAP plate with rear take down spring installed. I sprung the rear takedown spring over my shoulder. (I had spares but figured I would go find it)

Off to the range!

I had a mixture of good, bad and ugly ammo: Federal XM193, PMC Bronze and some Tula. Coming out of PMAGs, the Federal ran great, very smooth, the PMC had some minor issues every 15 rounds or so--seemed to short stroke not grabbing the rear of the round. The BCG would more bite into the first third of the casing, pulling it only partially into the chamber and gouging the casing. The Tula was pretty much crap-surprise surprise. The buffer may not right so I’m looking at that (thoughts?). Also, it should probably have some more break in time before running crap through it. I do like crap for the price though so I’m hoping that will eventually be able to run that.

The operations of the lower were great. The ADAC feature is beautiful in its design and locking the bolt to the rear with the mag release was intuitive. The right side bolt release took some mental effort to get used to but after a while of 2 round/2 round mag changes it was great. My wife found the left side controls easy to use. The bolt drop extension was just barely in reach though. Longer fingers for the lefties out there would help. They made the nub on the bolt catch bigger too to help with locking it to the rear.
The magwell held the PMAGs tight and there wasn’t even the slightest bit of slop. Coming more from an AK, I had to work on the insertion for a bit as it’s been awhile since using an AR and I was trying to “hook it” in.

Downside: MONEY and the wait.

Some quick obvious items on the other stuff.
BCM upper, SSA trigger-do I need to say anything about the level of awesomeness? Doubt it.
BADASS- nice. It came with two different size levers so I’ll have to order the larger one to match the other side. I think I like the 45 degree version.
Raptor handle-pricey but beautiful, works great. Wife (lefty) approves.
I have to say, rather happy with the Magpul MBUS for the price. FYI: I do have a used Aimpoint on there too.
SLAP plate, I like it more than the Magpul ASAP plate (but haven’t used it)
TACStrap-ehhhh, not easy to adjust, will look at Magpul MS3 or Vickers down the road-not high priority. I may also go over to QR vs. HK hook.
IWC items, very well made, nice finish

Why spend the money and not just get a BAD lever, etc? Believe me, I’ve been flamed on other boards when I talked about this build and I’m not going to go back and forth on it. Mainly because I can. I like small businesses, I like innovation, I’m not on a team where every rifle should be the same, if it goes inop in a SHTF scenario, I’ll dump it and roll with my AK or my Mossy shotgun, I shoot righty, the wife shoots lefty, you can still use it just like you would a regular AR, it looks badass, I prefer to cry once, etc etc etc.

Good luck all…hope someone finds this useful.