{"id":61699,"date":"2016-08-05T10:19:40","date_gmt":"2016-08-05T14:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=61699"},"modified":"2016-08-05T10:19:40","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T02:07:57","slug":"erathr3-grunt-5-56mm-ultralight-submoa-carbine-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/erathr3-grunt-5-56mm-ultralight-submoa-carbine-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Erathr3 Grunt 5.56mm: UltraLight 4.7-Pound Sub-MOA Carbine\u2014Full Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The Grunt carbine from Erathr3 provides sub-MOA performance in an ultralight 4.7-pound package.<\/p><\/div>\n

For more information on EraThr3 firearms, visit https:\/\/www.blasthouse.com\/collections\/models<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Custom built firearms have always been popular. Many of the most useful features found now on production firearms came from small shops, builders and manufacturers. Were it not for their willingness to push past the norm, we would probably still be using flintlocks. They remain a driving force behind innovation. It\u2019s largely responsible for increased popularity amongst what many consider the \u201catypical\u201d buyer. Just as innovation drives things forward, so does catering to the current or future market, not the last one. Firearms companies languished in obscurity for decades building for the previous century\u2019s market because \u201cthat\u2019s how it’s done.\u201d When they started making firearms, accessories and gear for this and the next generation, things took off and continues to rise.<\/p>\n

A New World<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Retention<\/a>

Retention pins, the magazine release and the trigger pins are titanium to save weight.<\/p><\/div>\n

Spending most of my life carrying a firearm for a living, my world has always revolved around practicality, usefulness, and the budgetary constraints of police departments. Collecting firearms or purchases based on intrinsic value has always been a secondary concern for me. I enjoy shooting firearms but they remain tools, something much of my generation still believes. Fortunately, my ability to spend time with new and young shooters lets me appreciate the new world and its perspective. Many new buyers are neither preparing for war or the zombie apocalypse. Home defense or personal protection may be secondary if even a consideration. It\u2019s all about enjoying themselves. Much of this current generation enjoys a standard of living us \u201cold timers\u201d just never had. It means they can buy firearms because they like them, not because they need them. Camouflage is replaced with stylish design, radical lines and bright colors. To be honest, it\u2019s refreshing and a few companies are targeting this market well. Erathr3<\/a> is one of them.<\/p>\n

Erathr3<\/a>\u00a0is not some large corporate manufacturer building firearms in the\u00a0 thousands. Sheri Johnson and Sterling Becklin started Erathr3 in 2013, and it remains a lean operation. Having worked for Noveske since 2004, Sheri no newcomer to the firearms community.\u00a0 Teaming with former Noveske president, Sterling Becklin, they are looking to reach a market less interested in a tactical edge yet still in need of high-quality products. These are not cheap (with prices starting in the upper $2,000 range), but they are high-quality firearms. Spending three days with EraThr3\u2019s Sheri, Sterling and Ken Hutchinson, it was my pleasure to get a real feel for their products, ideas, and company.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Grunt utilizes titanium parts as well as extensive lightening cuts to achieve its feathery weight. Note the open-cut mag well.<\/p><\/div>\n

Along with Proof Research<\/a> and Leupold Optics<\/a>, Erathr3 put together a media event held at Buck Doyle\u2019s Follow Through Consulting<\/a> range in Teasdale Utah. Buck\u2019s Scoped Carbine Class is focused on engaging steel targets out to 1,000 meters, most of them small. His experience as a combat-proven Force Recon Marine keeps him focused on simplicity, accuracy and getting hits on target without complicated math or knob turning. His long relationship with Todd Hodnett from Applied Ballistics<\/a> means he relies on either the Horus Vision<\/a> T2 or T3 reticle. In order to meet the demands of this class, Erathr3 built rifles specifically for this task. It provides insight into their mindset. These rifles were designed a month or so prior to the class, machined the week before, and completed the night before they left. While based on an earlier rifle, the \u201cGrunt\u201d included features never used prior. It was all about being different, and they accomplished that task very well.<\/p>\n

Arriving prior to class to help with setup, I rolled up on Buck zeroing rifles that were Cerakoted in bright orange, green, blue and pink. Each was housed in a custom made wood ammo crate with each writer\u2019s name engraved on it. A custom bag included a dog tag with your name, assorted clothing and even some goodies. Meeting Sheri and Sterling it was a beginning to some of the most fun I have had on the range in a long time. Both are engaging, friendly, enthusiastic and great to be around. When asked why the colors, Sheri simply told me it\u2019s fun, and she wanted to do something different.\u00a0 And that may sum up the whole event.<\/p>\n

The Grunt<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The .223 Wylde (a hybrid .223\/5.56 chamber dimension) rifle started with the company\u2019s EL3L lower receiver, designed to be minimalist yet strong. CNC machined in house, it removes as much metal as possible without compromising strength. There are cutaways in the magazine well. An integral trigger guard housed an American Trigger<\/a> AR Gold trigger. An AXTS<\/a> Titanium ambidextrous safety was used along with their Raptor Charging handle. Neatly fitting the bolt release keeps lines clean and the release tight to the receiver. Retention pins, magazine release and trigger pins are titanium to save weight. Primary Weapons Systems<\/a> provided Gen 2 enhanced buffer tubes while Magpul added a pistol grip and CTR stock.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The controls of the Grunt are standard configuration, despite the radical appearance of the rifle.<\/p><\/div>\n

SPECS <\/strong><\/h2>\n