I have a friend that is looking into buying an AR15 and I told him to get an Addax ATAC, but he is skeptical. I don't own one, but I was hoping everyone could list the reasons why the Addax ATAC/GPUs are the best. Please compare them to other guns (Bushmaster, Colt, etc) and if you can, compare accuracy in a tangible fashion.

Thanks guys!

Nate

This post has been edited by dead2sin: August 19th 2009 4:20 AM

OK thanks, I appreciate your candor. I'll plan on a second-best option for now; if/when you get a .308 model going, I'm in.

I didn't use brake cleaner, but I did use some ewl and a shoestring

O.k. now I' confused. I thought all Addax were long stroke GPU's. What is the difference between the two (long & short) besides the length of the piston that what makes one better than the other. Still learning about GPU's. Or is it what Chris said that it's the free floating rail that make the difference. Thought all Addax's were free floating rails. Addax rules as far as I'm concerned, just wanting to know more.

Hi Rudy,

Our first model Gas Piston Uppers (GPU) utilized a PWS short stroke piston system that was designed to be used with a variety of free float rails. The Short Stroke piston system started off as a retrofit kit by PWS, and when we became a PWS dealer a couple of years ago, I thought, why not build dedicated gas piston uppers with this kit. So with a little updating of the PWS short stroke piston system, the Addax GPU was born.

We have progressed from the short stroke piston system over to the long stroke system for our dedicated piston upper builds.

PWS has given us a semi-exclusive deal on the long stroke piston system, and thus we call our new uppers that Addax ATAC GPU (Advanced Tactical AR Carbine Gas Piston Upper).

We build 5.56, 6.8, and 6.5 models, and in 5.56 and 6.8 we offer 14.5" models, and in 5.56 a 11.5" model, plus we are a little more flexible when it comes to installing options like different muzzle attachments, getting the upper Cerakoted (which has been a very popular option) etc..

The rail system on the new long stroke piston system is not free float, but the gas block sits under independent and removable rail panels, and the rail panels are mid-length, (9" sides and bottom, 10" top).

This rail system allows for quick heat dissipation, and if a rail panel is damaged, you need to just replace the individual rail panel, not the entire rail.

Some people worry about accuracy with the non free float rail, but this rail system and its mounting points have been designed to allow a certain level of flex and movement so the rails do not hang the barrel or cause poor accuracy.

We have seen excellent accuracy results... with our 5.56 model, using a chrome lined 1:7 twist mil-spec barrel, shooting 55 Grain XM193 we are getting 2"-2.5" groups at 100 yards, (which is pretty consistent with any Military Spec. M4 carbine), and we can shoot 1" groups at 100 yards with different types of match ammo.

If you have any questions about the uppers or the system, please give me a call.

Thanks,
Chris

Thank you Chris for your quick response. I will be giving you a call.

Just wanted to give my 2 cents. Chris is building me an ATAC 6.5 grendel as we speak ,and can not wait to get it.
As far as Addax there customer service is undeniably the best there is. Chris has called me way after hours asking me about options and how I wanted it set up. That says a lot about a company. In my opinion no one else makes a better piston drive upper!!!

Tyler T.

Tyler, thank you for your compliments and to the Armory!

Just wanted to give an update. I have my 6.5 atac complete now and dialed in. I took this coyote from 272 yards with my new 6.5 and it blew a 4 in. hole out the other side! It was 5 degrees ,snowing with 10 below wind chill, this thing is a machine, runs flawless. I don't care what conditions you are in, it will run. I am shooting 123 grain lapua scenar and it will shoot 1/2 moa at 100 yards!

Thanks for the Good Word!

You should post the pic you sent me.

A couple things to add. I don't have an Addax GPU YET, but after doing my homework, I have resorted to get one. These are some of my reasons for it. I have others, but most of them have already been mentioned.

* The long stroke GP is inherently more reliable then the short stroke GP and everyone I've ever come across who has used it along with the other gas systems the AR is made with loves the Long stroke GP far more then any other AR-15 system.

* Unless you resort to lower-end uppers, the GPU is actually not too expensive compared to other uppers with similar external features.

* With Addax, you are getting some of the best working AR-15 features available; not just in the GP, but all the way around, from receiver to barrel to furniture and more. Not necessarily the fanciest or most expensive, but best for actual use. The Addax GPU is sort of like a Military field Notebook computer. In stead of going fancy and cool, they stick with tried, tested and proven.

* Addax Tactical is not a corporate giant. They are a small, privately owned company with very tight quality control that's nearly impossible to achieve when mass producing these things by the thousands.

* This isn't something they have a few hundred or thousand of that they throw in to a box and ship you when you order it. Each one is personally assembled at the shop when you order it, which means it is hand fitted and checked. As a veteran hobbyist gun engineer, I can not express how important it is and how much of a difference it makes to have the weapon hand assembled, hand checked and tested.

* Chris is a good guy as are all his employees I've met so far. I'd rather give him my money then any of these big macho bucks companies.

Dude, your killing me. I'm still waiting on my barrel to complete my build.

I want picts