The Sport Configurable Rifle is one of the more interesting rifles to hit the market this year. It is a “featureless” rifle — a gun that lacks any cosmetic features that are banned by strict gun control laws like a pistol grip or telescoping stock — yet still uses AR-15 uppers without modification.
It does this by using a modified articulated bolt carrier that angles into the butt stock, like several prominent semi-automatic shotguns.
This makes it legal to own in all 50 states while still retaining all off the benefits of the AR-15 platform, at least as far as the upper is concerned.
Ares will offer the SCR in a handful of configurations at launch. The SCR will be available with 16- and 18-inch barrels and chambered for 5.56 NATO or 7.62x39mm. The SCR will be offered with three stock options as well, a standard straight stock, a shortened sport stock and a Monte Carlo stock with an integral, raised cheek piece for use with raised scopes.
The 16-inch model comes with a carbine-length Magpul MOE hand guard and gas system and the 18-inch has a rifle-length hand guard and gas system. It uses a standard charging handle that clears the users hand even with the raised grip.
Ares has already stated that wood furniture is in the works and will be available in the coming months for people who want to blend classic looks with their modern rifles.
One exciting detail is the price. Ares has announced the price on this slick new gun, and it’s just $865. That’s the SCR’s MSRP so it will likely list for less in the real world, although we can see this gun selling at a premium, at least for a while, once it hits the streets. It is that cool and unique.
You don’t have to live in a state that has limited gun access to like the SCR. The use of a the traditional stock has its benefits.
Right off the bat it represents a solid weight savings. The SCR weighs just 5.7 pounds, putting it in the same territory as lightweight bolt guns. This is a rifle you can pack in just about anywhere, carry all day, and forget it’s there until you need it.
Chambered in 7.62x39mm it is a capable do-it-all rifle, especially when it comes to hunting as there are a lot of .30-caliber options in that cartridge for common and popular game. In 5.56 the SCR uses standard and plentiful AR-15 magazines.
The SCR comes with a five-round magazines but accepts magazines of all capacities, including drums and coffin mags.
Another benefit of this system is the ability to mount many optics directly to the flattop receiver without having to size out a riser. The SCR does not come with iron sights and is intended to be used with red dot, reflex sights or scopes. As the SCR becomes more established we wouldn’t be surprised to see low-profile irons made specifically for this gun. Plus, with all the solid red dot options out there at the $100 price point electronic sights are in the same territory, or even cheaper than, many AR-15 sight sets today.
Because the bolt carrier uses a linkage the recoil directs downward into the shooter’s shoulder. This will offset the raised bore of the SCR, not that it’s a huge deal with 5.56 or 7.62x39mm, but it should make a notable difference when shooting some of the harder-hitting AR calibers like 6.8 SPC, .458 SOCOM and .50 Beowulf.
Again, because only the bolt carrier is the only proprietary part of the upper, the SCR can be used with any AR-15 assembled upper receiver, from standard .223 Remington/5.56 NATO to niche and exotic receivers like FN5.7x28mm or 6.5 Grendel uppers.
With the traditional stock layout this gun is perfect for bench shooting and brings with it all the advantages of being compatible with ultra-precise free-floating direct-impingement uppers to boot.
Like we’ve said, you don’t have to live in a “ban” state to want one of these hot new guns from Ares Defense. This is just a straight-up interesting rifle, and we cannot wait to get behind one. For all the details and specifications head over to the Ares SCR product page.
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