I've got a lot of time on actual gov SR25s. Really awesome platforms, but at such a weight penalty. It can do everything you want it to, mount NV, bipods, etc, etc. But 12-14 pounds starts to be absurd when you are just slinging 168 or 175 308 around, and that is without the can on it. I've only used it on the range or in training, or in vehicle turrets, and they were always 1.2-1.5 inch guns, with FGMM match or LC match. Which, I always say, was totally fine for the intended usage. But we couldn't pass our Sniper qual with them normally, and it isn't that punishing of a qual, presuming your gun can shoot 1-1.2 MOA or better. And that is honestly what I'm the most excited about with the Geissele offering, that they some how figured out a 3/4 MOA gasser, at scale, which would be a big leap forward (I know, I know, everyone on this site built an AR10 that shoots .25 MOA groups). For me, it becomes hard to really assess reliability, in the case of the SR25 because it just isn't an assaulter rifle and you'd need different optics to accomplish that. So it is more of a support rifle or sniper substitute. You do get more suppressing ability, if that is something you want. Follow up is quick. Accuracy is fine.
But I think it is why you still see people trying to offer solutions like the 6mm ARC - you get your range back, but you can also use your rifle multiple ways. And while the premise of the large frame AR was increased utility, I often didn't feel that way and always chose to put a dedicated bolt in a backpack, and carry an assaulter carbine, rather than try to just carry an SR25. I'm not in anyway suggesting that I'm saying this representative of a broad set of missions, but I'm saying in my particular use case, they mostly stayed in the armory. Whereas other guys that had access to much lighter Larue OBRs, were using those as a primary. And none of that is to say that the new Geissele is trying to be a crossover rifle.
I personally think it is pretty telling that you have so many large frame ARs that have found acceptance at varying military and police units. LMT MWS, KAC SR25, the Larue (I know people who could procure anything and LOVE the OBR, especially configured for lighter weight), FN SCAR, the HK, and now the Geissele. I also think it is telling that the "it" gun keeps changing. Maybe that says something about the AR scaled up than anything else. One of the reasons I was excited about Ruger's effort to shrink things down.
