AXMC vs MRAD

[racein56]

I haven’t found a recent summary of pros/cons of the AXMC vs the MRAD.

It seems like there are more caliber options and parts are more available for the AXMC. It also seems to be far more popular. On the other hand the MRAD is lower price.

However, the recent ASR decision has me wondering if I need to give more consideration to the MRAD.

What are the other major points I am missing?

Thanks in advance for the feedback. I’m fairly new to the bolt scene but am of the buy-once, cry-once mentality.

 

[diverdon]

Caliber kits are more for the MRAD so if you need a bucket of barrels the savings vanish. The Barrels on the MRAD require a proprietary extension so all your barrels will come from Barrett. With AI the specs are out there so you can buy your choice of barrels. I have both. Both are amazing in so far as accuracy and ergonomics. Caliber change within a cartridge family is easier with the AI. I like the heavy duty Plastic mags for the MRAD more than the steel AI Mags.


Both come with triggers I like a lot. Too my eye the AI is a little prettier. That said it is a coin flip which I'll shoot on any given day.

 

[mgrs]

A couple considerations in line with diverdon's post above:

-MRAD extensions are proprietary, but reportedly the barrels are threaded into the extension and they can be rebuilt.
-MRAD Barrel changes, while more expensive, do include one magazine, a barrel bag, and the required bolt head matched to the barrel. They are still more expensive, but with "Out of family" caliber changes it is closer to even.

Agreed that the AI subjectively prettier, and probably feels more refined cycling than the barrett's system of the bolt reciprocating inside polymer sleeves. It is a neat system though and keeps the action completely enclosed when in battery. There's also not much point to lubing anything but the bolt lugs and trigger engagement.

The AI stock also offers more adjustment, but it seems like barrett is adding more adjustability with each revision of the MRAD.

I'd love to lay hands on an AXMC some day; I am sure they are phenomenal.

 

[diverdon]

Agreed that the AI subjectively prettier, and probably feels more refined cycling than the barrett's system of the bolt reciprocating inside polymer sleeves.

I like the way both feel when cycleing and never had anything to complain about with either. Recently there was a guy with a new ARC Nucleus bitching up a storm about the click when he was closing the bolt. The thread went several pages and eventually the guy posted a video of how he was running the bolt. He was standing with his belly button facing the bolt knob and closing the action by just pushing down. I had never closed a bolt that way before and out of curiosity I got every three lug action I own. When operated like that all had some kind of click or snap that took a little to get past, except the MRAD. Even operated like this the MRAD was buttery and very smooth.

 

[mgrs]

I do not mind the barrett system- while the bolt lift is somewhat heavy, all the cocking pressure is done by that point and the rest is effortless. It cannot bind by design and I find it easy to shoot fast. Someone else was shooting mine and managed to get hung up in a 'notch' trying to close the bolt too soon, but I have never experienced that.

 

[brianf]

There is no debate axmc
Better support
Better spare parts availability
No supplier bs, about coming out with apart and options that never show up
Every smith has dimensions for a barrel no extension

There's a reason they are the standard

 

[diverdon]

There is no debate axmc
Better support
Better spare parts availability
No supplier bs, about coming out with apart and options that never show up
Every smith has dimensions for a barrel no extension

There's a reason they are the standard

How do you like the rifles?

Every smith has dimensions for a barrel no extension

That is true and had already been mentioned.

No supplier bs, about coming out with apart and options that never show up

I've never heard of an option promised that I wanted that is not already out today.

Better support
Better spare parts availability

I have a complete spare bolt, and extra mags. In your experience what else is likely to trouble an owner?

 

[Mareshow]

Have you considered the Cadex Kraken? I was struggling like you in a similar position AX vs DT. And after all my research I decided to go with the Kraken. Why? While their barrel change system is slightly more complex than most, its also the only one that guarantees returning to zero every time. I know some people will argue about this but shifting zeros is a problem for most switch barrel systems (do some googling and the problems show them selves) Cadex designed their system to mitigate that. That and they have fantastic customer support

 

[brianf]

How do you like the rifles?



That is true and had already been mentioned.



I've never heard of an option promised that I wanted that is not already out today.



I have a complete spare bolt, and extra mags. In your experience what else is likely to trouble an owner?

I’ve shot the mrad only a few times but to my body the ax fits better. They are both super adjustable, I felt I could fall asleep while on the ax.

The mrad (like most Barrett products) had people waiting for waiting for over a year for a different conversion to come out. You could check the search but guys bought it for a switch barrel and the other barrel just never came out. It’s kind of their M O.

Once you have all the spares your good to go it just took forever.
With AI there are spares on the shelves as the rifle is coming out for sale.

AI came out with the comp trigger because guys wanted a aftermarket lighter weight.

I just think that AI is more responsive to the civilian market.

As far as rerun to zero I think all these new systems are close. They will all wear sooner or later, just keep good notes and it’s no big deal.