Honored American Veterans Association Auction

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HAVA Auction

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In conjunction with the Honored American Veterans Association (HAVA), GunsAmerica’s pleased to offer this rifle for auction. We’re going all the way with this one. We’ve put the rifle through our battery of tests, and now we’re auctioning off the gun. 100% of the proceeds will go to HAVA and their efforts to help American Veterans. It is a worthwhile cause, of course, and a kick-ass rifle. Interested in owning this rifle? Here’s your chance. It is live now, and will close at 8:00 p.m. EST on Sept 21st. Click here to see the auction details.

The Rifle

Mossberg is known for their shotguns, but they’re making a name with their rifles, too. I recently reviewed a MVP Patrol that is my favorite rifle that I’ve shot this year. As I personally review more than 60 guns a year, I take my favorites seriously. And, as someone who is a bit persnickety about tactical rifles, I’m impressed by this AR-15. I build and rebuild rifles frequently, as I review various pieces of gear–but this one would stay almost exactly like it is. Every detail has been thought through, and all of the component pieces hold to a functional and visual aesthetic. It is a really nice build.

This is the first Mossberg AR I’ve shot, and I like what I’ve seen so far. The lower, upper, and barrel are all from the Mossberg MMR Tactical line. The barrel is a typical carbine length and profile, and has a 1:9 twist. Underneath the forend is a low-profile gas block.

Troy Industries has had a hand in this build, too. The Troy contributions take this from the tactical set-up typically offered by Mossberg, and adds an aesthetically cohesive package that take this gun to the next level. Sights, furniture, receiver upgrades…all Troy.

The grip is a Hogue and the rifle is topped with an Aimpoint H1. All of these companies have come together to produce a rifle that isn’t available in this configuration (unless you collect all the pieces and parts yourself).

How does it shoot?

It is a carbine length AR and it shoots like one. These guns have a long track record for rugged durability and dependable accuracy. An AR like this will shoot well out to 300 yards. Beyond that, hits are harder to make, but still possible–especially if you have a torso sized target. It can shoot much farther, and do so accurately, but you’ll want good glass and a solid bench. This isn’t a long range gun, thought, and it wasn’t meant to be.

Instead, think of its potential for close range work. With the Troy furniture and extras, the gun is set up for fast action. The Aimpoint H1 is a durable red dot that is easy to read. It holds its zero through recoil and handling. Every aspect of this gun has been purposefully combined. The irons are reliable and rock solid. The forend is light, but rigid. The addition of rail sections and a vertical grip make it versatile for a wide variety of shooting styles.

The only thing I’ve found on this gun that I’d want to change is the trigger. It is a typical AR trigger, and has a touch of creep. It breaks high. Again, we’re talking about a gun that is designed for a certain style of shooting.  If you’re shooting in tactical scenarios, or competition even, you won’t find the trigger to be that much of an issue. If you want to put rounds through one ragged hole in a paper target, you will want an upgrade there.

We ran the rifle on steel targets at 50 and 100 yards. It did exactly as we’d expected it would. It is fast. On paper at 25 yards and 50 yards, groups were respectable. In the interest of an honest auction, we didn’t take off the Aimpoint. Our groups, even at 50 yards, weren’t anything to brag about, but we were shooing with irons, and with a 2 MOA dot. The rifle is capable of much more.

The Upgrades

The basic MMR Tactical has an MSRP of $987. Mossberg’s contributions are highlighted by a lot of extras. Let’s start with those from Troy Industries.

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At either end of the gun, you’ll find folding iron sights. The rear is a Dioptic Folding Sight -BLK with two settings, one that’s meant for shots out to 300 meters and a second for up to 500 meters. I find the wide setting to be ideal for close work, though I prefer the smaller setting for anything past 50 yards. The wider of the two is meant for fast, loose work. The smaller is much smaller, and it makes you take your time. The sight itself is milled aluminum with stainless steel where it counts. The retail price on this sight is $119.

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The front sight is an M4 Folding Sight, which is specifically sized for a full-length flat top rail. It sells for $99. It is also aluminum and stainless. Both sights are anodized to a deep, flat black.

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The stock is a Lightweight Battle Ax CQB Stock. It has a rubber butt plate that opens up for extra storage. You could keep batteries in here, or a cleaning kit. The storage space is wider than most, and holds its rectangular shape for most of its length. The possibilities here are limitless. It sells for $129.

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On the other end of the rifle is a Troy Modular Combat Grip. It is aluminum, and offers even more storage. It is a short grip, but offers just enough length that you can get your whole hand on it. And if you aren’t inclined to hold onto a grip, it works well as a hand-stop, too. The grip sells for $62.

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The grip attaches to one of three rail sections that screw onto the 13 inch Alpha rail. This free float rail is rigid, but cut with a variety of circles and ribs that allow for rapid cooling of the barrel and weight reduction. It is round, which works well for those of us who hold thumb-over-bore.

The rail comes with two 2″” and one 4.2″”detachable rails and all mounting hardware and it rides on a standard AR15/M16 barrel nut, which means it is easy to change if you should ever want to do so–but why would you? This is one of the best tubular rails available. Alone, it would retail for $199.

The flash suppressor is also a Troy. The odd cuts in the suppressor work incredibly well and eat up muzzle rise. I’ve shot muzzle devices that push barrels down, or down and right, but this one holds center incredibly well.

Even with the stout trigger, I can pepper center mass on a torso target. This is a really effective addition, and it will spoil you. I find it much easier to focus on movement and cover when I’m not worried about reacquiring targets between shots. Troy sells this one for $45.

And the hits keep on coming. The Ambidextrous Bolt Release lets you drop the bolt with the trigger finger on your right hand, and increases the side of the target for your left thumb. The ABR is anodized and finished in flat dark earth, too, which makes it even more visible. This simple addition should be on every AR. Troy sells theirs for $29.

And for those of you who do shoot left handed, and for the rest of us who damn-well-better train to shoot with our non-dominant hands, Troy has included an Ambidextrous Magazine Release. $65.

The gun is finished off with an over-sized trigger guard. The Enhanced Trigger Guard is machined from hardened aircraft aluminum and rotates down like a standard trigger guard. It sells for $25, and is ideal for those who wear gloves.

The Aimpoint Micro H1 is a nice way to top off the gun. The H1 is a compact red dot that can be dialed up or down for varying light conditions. When the dot is fully lit, it provides a large, easy to see beacon–even in full sunlight. In low light conditions, the dot covers just 2 MOA, and can be used to make very precise shots. When placed on its riser, it co-witnesses with the iron sights. When you pull the gun up, the dot is there. The H1 sells for right at $600, and the riser adds another $60 or so to the price. For what it is, that price is a steal.

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All of these things combine to make one hell-of-a-rifle. It is truly battle ready. The only thing it would need is a sling. If I were going off to fight, I wouldn’t hesitate to take a rifle like this. And I thank God that I’m not going off to fight, and that other do. And that’s what this is really about. This may be the single best buyers market for AR-15s that has ever existed. You may be able to go out and assemble this rifle yourself for less than you can win it for in this auction, but the money is going to a great cause.

HAVA

I’m thrilled to be working with HAVA. Here’s a bit about the organization from their website:

HAVA was conceived and organized in 2007 by a Committee of shooting sports industry executives to help the healing and re-integration of disabled combat veterans back into normal American life through participation in outdoor events. Seven companies committed funds and personnel to organize and sponsor initial HAVA sanctioned activities, and will serve on the Board of Directors, along with new Sustaining Sponsors for a period of three years to insure that the organization is launched in the proper manner.

The HAVA vision is the creation of a small organization of volunteers from the shooting sports industry to facilitate a series of hunting and shooting activities for groups of disabled veterans wherein personal attention of the sponsors and facility operators contributes to the veteran’s sense of joy and accomplishment, and a permanent awareness that marvelous things are possible despite disabling injuries. These veterans have given their full measure of commitment to the preservation of their country’s values, and deserve America’s contribution to their healing process to whatever degree necessary to accomplish physical, mental and cultural rehabilitation. HAVA, through the efforts of Sustaining Sponsors and other contributors, can become an inspiration to both the veteran and to a grateful nation whose best instincts are to support the veteran who has served its cause so well.
Our Creed

HAVA is dedicated to the veteran’s healing, and will sanction and sponsor only those events that are conceived, conducted and promoted according to the highest ethical, safety and performance standards consistent with the organization mission. Appropriate drug and alcohol use restrictions will be meticulously observed, and the best interests of the veteran’s rehabilitation will be pursued vigorously.

 

So there you have it. HAVA is like our conscience. They actually do the work we all know must be done. What they do is inspiring. A rock solid AR-15 and a tremendous cause that’s truly worthy of support. What could be better?

Click here to check out the auction. Or, if you’ve read this far and you’re not into tricked out ARs, click here to go to HAVA’s page. Make a donation. You’ll feel good about doing it.