You can also find out more about Many worship at the altar of Stoner, exalting the AR-15 platform’s ergonomics, versatility, and modularity. But with a receiver extension and buttstock that can’t be folded, since the bolt carrier group reciprocates into it, compactness for transport wasn’t Stoner’s first priority. The aftermarket has come up with solutions for this — but what if you’re looking for an even smaller footprint than a folding stock will provide? The AR-15 Takedown is the answer.
If you don’t mind disassembling your weapon, Stoner’s original design gets you halfway there, as you can easily detach the upper and lower into two pieces. However, it’s fiddly and not the quickest to deploy, and you’re still constrained by the length of the entire upper assembly, essentially the barrel plus the upper receiver — which itself accounts for about 8 inches of length.
Many companies have developed take-down systems that allow the barrel to be quickly detached and reattached from the upper receiver. Combine this with a folding or PDW-style stock or brace, and you’ll have the shortest overall footprint short of sawing your barrel in half (we don’t recommend this unless you’re a hapless virtue-
Signaling a congressional candidate). Keep in mind that this system may have some zero-shift, but none were tested to be terribly notable due to the short range requirements of a concealable rifle.
We examine the takedown products from Cry Havoc Tactical as well as FoldAR, LEO TakeDown and Pantheon Arms.
Cry Havoc Tactical
If you’re seeking a take-down system that’s currently fielded by the U.S. military, look no further than Cry Havoc Tactical’s offering. Their QRB system is used in the U.S. Air Force’s GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon, custom built by the Air Force Gunsmith Shop to equip aircrews with a 5.56mm carbine that can be broken down and stowed in the tight confines of an ACES II ejection seat. With four 30-round magazines included, the reconstituted gun provides an injured pilot with more firepower than a 9mm M-9 pistol.
Cry Havoc’s system utilizes two tensioning levers that secure the barrel assembly to the upper receiver. The receiver plate attaches to the upper with a star nut, retained by a set screw that sits in one of the nut’s grooves to prevent it from rotating. The barrel plate is secured with three set screws, and the threading for the barrel nut on the muzzle has been standardized. A clever two-piece gas tube arrangement solves the problem of the otherwise-vulnerable standard AR gas tube, with a shortened gas tube attached to the gas block slotting into an extension in the QRB’s receiver plate that feeds gas back to the bolt carrier group.
When you snap the barrel extension in place, hooks from the levers on barrel plate will grab onto slots on receiver plate. Two sturdy locator pins help you align everything correctly and protect the gastube. Lock back the bolt and flip the levers open. Push them backwards to help you unseat the barrel from upper. Once the hooks have been released, pull the barrel/handguard out.
Handguards can be made from a variety of materials. They just need to have enough thickness to allow enough room behind the locking levers for you to gain enough grip to open them. The barrel plate has recesses that can be used to hold small anti-rotational tabs. Note that due to the beefy barrel plate, you’ll need to use a handguard that’s 1.5 inches shorter than you would otherwise. Weaponstech Engineering offers several configurations for uppers that include the Cry Havoc System.
For our build shown here, we wanted to create our own, even smaller version of the GAU-5A — and in .300BLK as befits such a small gun. Midwest Industries’ 4.5-inch MLOK Combat Rail, which becomes a 6-inch rail when combined with the QRB barrel plates, was used to match the GAU-5A. MI’s latest handguards feature large anti-rotational tabs that are different from those used by the Air Force. So we had to reduce them using an end mill and files before coating it in Alumablack.
In place of the 12.5-inch barrel of 5.56mm, we used a 7.5″ barrel of Faxon Gunner Profile in.300BLK. This was topped with a Midwest Industries muzzle unit. The upper was then mounted on a pistol lower, which had been fitted with a LAW Tactical stock adapter as well as the same FAB Defense foldable pistol grip used on the GAU-5A. When broken down, the resulting package is insanely small.
The Cry Havoc takedown system impressed us, especially the locking levers that were consistent, the two-piece tube of gas and the locator pins. It was also impressive for its robustness and the fact that it could be used with a wide range of handguards.
- Make: Cry Havoc Tactical
- Model: AR15 QRB 2-Pin Military Model Kit
- MSRP: Gas tubes for pistols, carbines, and mid-length rifles are $425; gas tubes for pistols, carbines, and mid-length rifles are $435.
- URL: cryhavoctac.com
FoldAR
FoldAR comes in a variety of sizes, including a double-folding pistol or rifle as well as an upper receiver. The Double FoldAR pistol seen here breaks down into a tiny package of a mere 10.75 by 5.75 inches, perfect to fit into a lunch box-sized bag — exactly like the one that comes with it.
The FoldAR system is not a conversion. It uses an upper receiver, handguard, and gas block that are proprietary. The FoldAR, true to its name is a hinged assembly with a lever locking system integrated on the right side M-LOK Handguard for takedown. You must lock the bolt in the rear position before you can fold the barrel. Pull the SHUT outwards to unlock it. The barrel assembly can now be folded by grabbing the hinge and folding it to the left of the upper receiver. FoldAR comes with a handy tab that can be pulled to help you. However, it is removable if this idea makes your squirrely. However, they added it for a reason, as it’s not easy to open without it.
To deploy the FoldAR’s barrel, swing the barrel assembly forward until it clicks in place. Because the barrel is swung into place, and not slid into the upper receiver as it would be if it were a sliding mechanism, the custom barrel extensions are beveled. To ensure that the lock has been properly engaged, you will need to pull and release both the SHUT levers. At that point, the bolt can be released, and you’re ready to go. While you lose the flexibility of arranging the broken-down pieces however you’d like, it’s handy to have a single unit that folds open.
FoldAR uses Dead Foot Arms MCS for the folding stocks on their complete double-folding guns and rifles. Its standout feature allows the user to fire or cycle the firearm with the stock/brace in the folded position. This system requires modification to your bolt carrier group if purchased outright. However, since FoldAR manufactures complete weapons, they take care of the job for you. FoldAR ships with Bootleg’s four-position Gas-Adjusting Carrier instead of a standard BCG. It is more expensive, but the armorer skills and tools are not required.
In our example, Elite Iron made a mount for a muzzle silencer/brake that was designed to fit the War Dog can. A sleeve can be fitted over the brake when it is not suppressed to turn it into a linear compensator.
FoldAR’s rifles, pistols, upper assemblies, and lower assemblies are available in 5.56mm,.300BLK, or barrel lengths between 9, 10, and 12 in.
- Make: FoldAR
- Model: Double FoldAR Pistol Complete
- MSRP: $2,399
- Model: FoldAR Upper Assembly (Complete)
- MSRP: The price range is $1,599 to $ 2,199
- URL: foldar.com
LEO TakeDown
LEO TakeDown doesn’t offer a folding system but instead the ability to quickly detach and remove your barrel and handguard assembly from the upper receiver. LEO TakeDown is available in conversion parts or a limited number of complete uppers. This system is similar to quick connect couplers which attach the air compressor hoses to pneumatic tools.
To remove the barrel assembly first lock or retract the bolt in the rear. Then, rotate the circular locking nut to the marked “unlock” position and pull it back. The locking bearings are retracted by the spring-loaded assembly, and then the barrel and handguard may be removed from the front. There are storage covers for both the barrel assembly and upper receiver to keep crud out if they’re stored in two pieces, and importantly they protect the now-exposed, relatively fragile gas tube from damage.
It is important to consider the LEO TakeDown installation permanent after it has been installed on a barrel or upper receiver. The official documentation for installation includes an extensive amount of permanent thread lock in nearly every step. Additionally, the barrel couplings are pressure fitted. When we tried to swap barrels, we quickly ran into problems. For $59, you can purchase additional barrel couplings to change the caliber or barrel length.
If you’re performing a conversion, any caliber and barrel that’ll fit into a standard AR-15 upper will work. There’s no comprehensive list of handguards that are compatible with the system, but we’re told most compression-type free-float models will work. If a handguard has anti-rotation tabs, they’ll need to be modified. Remember that the handguard will now be one inch longer along the barrel as it’s rear starts at the front rather than the receiver.
We recommend that you purchase a preconverted upper receiver from the manufacturer, as the installation process is lengthy and different than the normal AR-15 assembly.
- Make: LEO TakeDown
- Model: LEO TakeDown Conversion (User-provided upper, barrel and handguard).
- MSRP: From $299 to $450
- Model: LEO TakeDown upper receiver (no CH/BCG)
- MSRP: 589 to 599 dollars
- URL: leotakedown.com
Pantheon Arms DOLOS
Pantheon Arms offers its DOLOS take-down system in a few flavors — as a complete upper (the Exodus shown here) or a DIY kit with or without a handguard. Pantheon’s design features a lock collar on the barrel side that essentially acts as a coarse-threaded barrel nut with a short arc of rotation to secure the barrel to a tri-lug attached to the upper receiver. A pawl at the bottom engages grooved toothed on the lock collar in order to securely ratchet it into place.
The upper receiver is secured with a set screw and a castle bolt. The lock collar is a semicircular slot that slides over the barrel. It can be rotated while clearing the gas tube. The handguard is attached to the lock collar. Align the barrel extension and gas tube, the lock collar and the tri-lug, then slide the upper receiver into place. After that, you can crank the lock to pull the barrel in the tri-lug. The pawl will lock the lock into place. To disassemble the DOLOS: Lock back the bolt. Pull down on the release lock below the tri lug. Twist the collar and pull it from the upper.
The barrel (and the gas block and standard gas tube attached to it) rotates and is loose within the lock collar and handguard assembly until it’s cranked into the tri-lug; Pantheon provides a retaining ring for the kit that slides over and bites into the barrel to capture it so it doesn’t slide around too much. This is a bit of an annoyance while your gun is torn down, though Pantheon’s molded gas tube cover mitigates this while also protecting your gas tube, which extends out quite a bit.
The gas tube is rotated within the lock collar so the handguard must be circular on the top. Many slimmer handguards have a square channel for the gas tube that won’t work. Choose from handguards that come with or without a rail top from Pantheon. Or, choose other spacious options from companies like Rock River Arms YHM and Unique ARs.
Exodus upper complete has unique features when compared with the kit, as Pantheon controls all aspects of the build. The barrel and lock collar are modified in order to reduce the amount of rotation and allow the barrel to be captured. The handguard also has a slim design with a slight arc to allow for the gas tube. It’s currently offered in one configuration with a 7.5-inch barrel in .223.
In our test build we used the Exodus upper on a pistol lower, with a Dead Foot Arms SCW system shortened and a Gear Head Works Tailhook Brace. This resulted in a really cool little blaster. Once you have mastered using the DOLOS you can force it into position. It’s a simple motion, just insert and twist. However, be sure to go to the same spot every time for your zero; we often missed it and had to either sit on the lower to get enough leverage for that last click or redo it harder (that’s what she said).
- Make: Pantheon Arms
- Model: Exodus Take Down Upper
- MSRP: $600
- Model: Dolos Take Down System
- MSRP: $185
- URL: pantheonarms.com
Sources
- Ammo Inc: ammoinc.com
- Cry Havoc Tactical cryhavoctac.com
- Dead Foot Arms deadfootarms.com
- FAB Defence: fab-defenseus.com
- Faxon Firearms faxonfirearms.com
- FoldAR: foldar.com
- Gear Head Works gearheadworks.com
- LAW Tactical lawtactical.com
- LEO TakeDown leotakedown.com
- Midwest Industries: midwestindustriesinc.com
- Pantheon Arms pantheonarms.com
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Editor’s Note: This article was modified from its original web version.
The post AR-15 Takedown System: Folding Front End Firepower appeared initially on RECOIL Offgrid.
