Defiance or American Rifle Company

[mikejs]

I am looking at building a 6.5 PRC. And before it is discussed, I am set on short action. I am willing to deal with issues if they come up with a 6.5 PRC in a short action since it is my choice.
Anyway, I have it narrowed down to Defiance Classic and American Rifle Company Coup De Grace actions. I like them both for separate reasons, but want opinions of what people own. Looking at a carbon fiber barrel in a Manner's stock, if that makes a difference. I have picked these for reviews I have already seen, and for weight and price. I have actually called both companies to ask questions. ARC had the better customer service, although neither was bad.

My initial concerns are that there seems to be more fitment required by the ARC Coup De Grace, but the lead time is much better. There are more Defiance Classics sold, so I may get more comments on those of course.

What's the good, bad, and ugly from people that own one or the other or both?

 

[JAS-SH]

I'm not aware of the fitting problems. I've been shooting a Defiance "Classic" for about 5 or so years on my 6 ARC bolt. Mine is a custom "hybrid" using the coned nose from the Elite actions along with the leaf ejector. I believe that comes from Winchester originally.

I prefer that to the plunger ejectors although I just bought a Ruckus with the plunger.

Best action I've ever used. It is so smooth it borders on incredibly so. Mine has around 2700 rounds on it and it is still exactly the same as when I got it. (cleaning regimen applies - including bolt disassembly every 1000 rounds which is very easy).

I like the way it works so much that I have a Defiant Ruckus on an UPS truck going to my FFL as I write this. That will be for a new 6mm GT build.

 

[mikejs]

The fitment was about the ARC action, and not fitment problems, just that you have to do more fitting for the trigger to fit in the bottom metal since it is an adjustable hanger.

 

[AllenOne1]

I'll give a thumbs up for the ARC CDG. I have one of the earliest ones and it has been a great purchase. Never a day that I regret buying it. I do regret that I didn't buy another one before the price increase, but it's well worth the current price IMO. I didn't experience any "fitment" issues so I'm not sure where that's coming from.

 

[glock24]

It's been a while since I've shopped ARC. Are they only building the CDG action now? And if so, why? (is the CDG Ted's pinnacle design or something?)

 

[mikejs]

I'll give a thumbs up for the ARC CDG. I have one of the earliest ones and it has been a great purchase. Never a day that I regret buying it. I do regret that I didn't buy another one before the price increase, but it's well worth the current price IMO. I didn't experience any "fitment" issues so I'm not sure where that's coming from.

The fitment comment came from ARC themselves when I called them. They said depending on the trigger hanger adjustment, there maybe a little milling (but very little) in the bottom metal.

 

[BigOldPhatboy]

I am looking at building a 6.5 PRC. And before it is discussed, I am set on short action. I am willing to deal with issues if they come up with a 6.5 PRC in a short action since it is my choice.
Anyway, I have it narrowed down to Defiance Classic and American Rifle Company Coup De Grace actions. I like them both for separate reasons, but want opinions of what people own. Looking at a carbon fiber barrel in a Manner's stock, if that makes a difference. I have picked these for reviews I have already seen, and for weight and price. I have actually called both companies to ask questions. ARC had the better customer service, although neither was bad.

My initial concerns are that there seems to be more fitment required by the ARC Coup De Grace, but the lead time is much better. There are more Defiance Classics sold, so I may get more comments on those of course.

What's the good, bad, and ugly from people that own one or the other or both?

I have both and I like the ARC better because of the replaceable bold head (when I choose to go another direction), the permenant pick rail & recoil lug, longer ejection port.

 

[JAS-SH]

Can't go wrong with either. The reason is that they both take prefit barrels, which is the trend these day. The reason they take prefits is because they are both considered premium actions. There is more than that like repeatability of the action barrel threads for timing etc. I'll leave it there because there really is a lot involved.

And I just got mine new action today - its massive:

 

[ZY100]

I have had both brands for years, one of the first Nukes, CDG, Deviants and Ruckus'. Happy with them all.....

- ARC is more complex, more moving parts, pivoting bolt handle. some stock/chassis fitment probable, tuning the trigger timing with a set screw is nice....and I like Ted!
- Defiance...a little more $, rock solid, gets it done. I have a Deviant with at least 20k 6.5, 6BRA, 22 BR on it...I think I did replace an ejector spring...good people too. Slight tip of the scales to Defiance if you are going to be in field/dusty conditions a lot. (Note: Defiance increased their bolt/body tolerance a few years ago--that issue is OBE)

One thing I have found about changing bolt heads, swapping barrels, etc. I seldom do it. Unless its a true QC (AI, WTO) etc, it sounds good, but seldom is done. But to each their own...good luck!

No wrong answer...pick one and don't give it any more thought.