foxtrot mike
ranch rifle review
I had great pleasure in getting one of the Ranch Rifles from Foxtrot Mike after SHOT Show this year. When I saw one, I was intrigued with how it looked, how it functioned, and the machining that went into it. I liked the fact that it was 50 state legal, was set up like a familiar 870 shotgun, had a forward charging handle, and still took standard capacity AR mags.
The 16" barrel version of the Ranch Rifle provides a balanced platform for out to medium-range engagements. The rifle features a **bufferless design**, which is one of the hallmark innovations of FM Products. This eliminates the need for a traditional buffer tube so that other stock options can be had. Hence the addition of the **Hogue 870 stock**. Which is a nice touch, offering superior comfort and control. For shooters who are familiar with their old 870 shotgun feel, this rifle will fit like an old glove. Especially during extended range sessions. The stock provides excellent support and helps with recoil management.
The charging handle, which is housed in the handguard on the FM Ranch rifle, can be changed from the left side to the right side. This is so you can choose which side you want to charge the rifle from. The handguard is also Mlok compatible so you can add your favorite accessories to it. They also offer a slap mod. This makes the charging similar to an HK. I did not have this option on my rifle, but it is another feature you can get to add to yours.
The 4-Port Muzzle Device is designed to reduce both muzzle rise and recoil, making quicker follow-up shots and better overall control of the rifle. This is especially helpful in rapid-fire scenarios where muzzle control is essential. The device works well in combination with the rifle’s bufferless system. The 16" barrel ensures that the rifle can perform effectively at varying ranges, from short to longer ranges. The rifle is chambered in 556 Nato. The use of Standard AR mags a plus.
Shooting the Ranch rifle was a complete joy, once I figured out the manual of arms. Things are in a few different spots than your traditional AR rifle. I had a problem trying to reach the mag release to do fast reloads. But this is a ranch rifle and not a tactical rifle. Not saying that you can't use it as such. I had topped it off with an Atibal green dot and ran close to 2K rounds through the rifle, both at the range and at a class. When I first started shooting the rifle, I had a few malfunctions. These were just in the first few mags. Once I got it nice and hot, the rifle was ready to roll and it has been going ever since. Accuracy of the rifle is better than I can shoot, at 25 yards it will cut little cluster groups with a dot sight. Out to 50 and 100 yards it was still on target. It is accurate enough with the dot to hunt or do varmint control. I did not put a magnified optic on it. I am sure that if I would have, it would have been more accurate. I was shooting from a standing position most of the time.
This is a rifle that I would suggest to someone who wants quality at a good price. Or someone who just might not want a black rifle for whatever reason. If you live in one of those states where you can not have certain AR style rifles, the Foxtrot Mike Ranch Rifle might be just what you need. I plan on taking it on some of my hunting trips this year. It also stays close by in the house. It swings like that old 870 shotgun but with that AR rifle fire power.
Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points
Claim to fame:
Bufferless operating system
50 State legal
Some AR accessories will interchange
Direct Impingement operating system
4-PORT muzzle brake
Target Market:
Hunters that want AR performance in a non AR rifle
Communist state people
Those whose choose quality and value
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
CALIBER: .223 WYLDE
LOWER RECEIVER: MACHINED FROM AIRCRAFT GRADE ALUMINUM HARD MIL-SPEC TYPE III ANODIZING
STOCK: Magpul SGA 870 Shotgun stock
TRIGGER: Mil-Spec ranch rifle
SAFETY SELECTOR: Reversible Push Button Steel Barrel Safety
BARREL LENGTH: 16"
BARREL TWIST: 1:8
BARREL MATERIAL: 41V50 PREMIUM MATCH GRADE 41v50 BARREL, VACUUM STRESS RELIEVED, MELONITE COATED WITH A BURNISHED CHAMBER
MUZZLE DEVICE: 4-PORT BRAKE
GAS SYSTEM: INTERMEDIATE-LENGTH
UPPER RECEIVER: BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING
HANDGUARD: 15" M-LOK COMPATIBLE HANDGUARD, TYPE III HARD BLACK ANNODIZING
CHARGING HANDLE: 4-POSITION FRONT CHARGE, NON-RECIPROCATING
BOLT: PROPRIETARY BOLT MACHINED FROM PRE-HARD 4342, MACHINED THEN POST VACUUM HEAT TREATED TO INCREASE HARDNESS, THEN COATED IN MELONITE
FIRING PIN AND EXTRACTOR MADE OUT OF S7 TOOL STEEL
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Wood furniture
Hiperfire trigger
Hunter crown barrel
Synthetic stock
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $949 to $1449 depending on options
I need it now!
Our Rating:
Pros:
American Made
Reliable
Great customer service
Takes AR mags
Bufferless
Cons:
Kind of a weird trigger to get use to
Different manual of arms
Mag release is hard to reach
