Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Semi-Automatic AR-15 Rifle 16″ Barrel 15″ M-LOK Handguard – FR16-300HBAR-15RPR
Welcome to the Radical Firearms RF-15 .300 AAC Blackout review. If you are familiar with Radical Firearms, you know that they are a well-known firearms manufacturer that has been producing low-cost quality guns for years. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the RF-15’s design, build quality, and value. I’ll cover everything from the rifle’s ergonomics to its components, and I’ll give you my honest opinion on whether or not I think it’s worth your investment.
Whether you are an experienced shooter or just getting started in the world of firearms, I hope my review will give you a better understanding of what the RF-15 is all about. So, lets dive into my Radical Firearms RF-15 .300 AAC Blackout review.
Table of contents
About Radical Firearms
Radical Firearms is a firearms manufacturer based in Stafford, Texas. The company was founded in 2011 to produce high-quality, American-made firearms at an affordable price. Radical Firearms specializes in AR-style rifles, pistols, and accessories, focusing on customization and innovation. They offer a wide range of products, including complete firearms, uppers, lowers,
handguards, barrels, and more.
History of the Radical Firearms RF-15 .300 AAC Blackout
The Radical Firearms RF-15 .300 AAC Blackout was first introduced in 2015 as a versatile option for both recreational and tactical shooting. The rifle is based on the popular AR-15 platform but with some key upgrades and modifications to enhance its performance and reliability.
The .300 AAC Blackout cartridge, initially developed for military use, has recently gained popularity among civilian shooters due to its versatility and effectiveness at short and long ranges. The RF-15 was designed to take full advantage of the cartridge’s capabilities, offering shooters a reliable and customizable platform for various shooting scenarios. Since its introduction, the RF-15 has become one of Radical Firearms’ most popular products and has earned a reputation as a top-performing rifle in its class.
Unboxing
Upon opening the box of the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Semi-Automatic AR-15 Rifle, I liked the look of the rifle right off the bat. The gun features a 16″ barrel with a heavy profile for enhanced accuracy and a 15″ M-LOK handguard for customizable accessory attachment.
Included in the box were one 30-round magazine, a user manual, and a Radical Firearms sticker. The magazine was easily inserted into the magwell, and the rifle was lightweight and balanced.
My first impression of the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Semi-Automatic AR-15 Rifle was positive.
Specifications
- Caliber: .300 AAC Blackout
- Barrel Length: 16 inches
- Barrel Profile: Heavy
- Barrel Material: 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel
- Barrel Finish: Melonite
- Twist Rate: 1:8 inches
- Muzzle Device: RF Muzzle Device
- Gas System Length: Pistol Length
- Upper Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Coat Anodized
- Lower Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Coat Anodized
- Handguard: 15″ Free Float Radical Firearms M-LOK FHR
- Bolt Carrier Group: Mil-Spec
- Charging Handle: Mil-Spec
- Overall Length: 33 inches (collapsed), 36.25 inches (extended)
- Weight: 6.9 pounds (unloaded)
- Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
- Magazine Type: Magpul PMAG
- Trigger: Mil-Spec
- Sights: None (Flat Top Upper Receiver)
- Optic Ready: Yes (Radical Firearms RPR)
- Stock: 6-position collapsible stock
- Grip: A2 Pistol Grip
- SKU: FR16-300HBAR-15RPR
- UPC: 816903022922
- MFR#: RF00061
- MSRP: $704.95
Action
The action of the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout is a semi-automatic action, which means that it fires one round each time the trigger is pulled and automatically ejects the spent casing and loads a new round from the magazine.
In addition, the rifle features a Mil-Spec bolt carrier group and charging handle.
Barrel and Handguard
The Radical Firearms .300 Blackout has a 16-inch heavy profile barrel constructed from 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel. The barrel is also treated with a Melonite finish, which provides additional protection against corrosion and abrasion.
The barrel’s twist rate of 1:8 inches is optimized for the .300 AAC Blackout cartridge, ensuring that the rifle can take full advantage of the cartridge’s capabilities.
The rifle’s handguard is a 15″ Free Float Radical Firearms M-LOK FHR, which allows for easy and customizable attachment of accessories such as lights, lasers, and bipods. The M-LOK system provides a secure and stable platform for attaching accessories, and also helps to reduce weight by eliminating the need for bulky rails. The handguard is also free-floating, which means that it does not touch the barrel, allowing for maximum accuracy and reducing the risk of heat-induced warping.
Capacity, Caliber, Magazines
This rifle has a standard capacity of 30 rounds, which is typical for AR-15 rifles. However, some states and localities have restrictions on magazine capacity, so it’s important to check your local laws before purchasing and using this firearm. Some retailers will ship with compliant magazines.
The caliber of the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout rifle is, as the name suggests, .300 Blackout. This caliber was designed to provide a more effective and versatile round for the AR-15 platform, particularly in short-barreled rifles. It offers excellent performance in both supersonic and subsonic loads, making it ideal for a variety of hunting and shooting applications.
In terms of magazines, the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout rifle is designed to accept standard AR-15 magazines. These magazines come in a variety of capacities, ranging from 5 to 100 rounds. It’s important to choose a magazine that’s appropriate for your intended use and complies with any local regulations.
Controls
The controls on the AR-15 were typical to any other AR-15. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key controls on this firearm.
Magazine Release: The magazine release on the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Rifle is on the right side of the lower receiver, just behind the trigger guard. It’s a standard AR-15 design and can be easily manipulated with the trigger finger.
Safety Selector: The safety selector on the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Rifle is located on the left side of the lower receiver. It features a 90-degree throw and can be easily manipulated with the thumb. The safety selector has three positions: Safe, Fire, and a unique third position known as Binary Fire, which allows for pull and release. Although the selector has a notch for this feature, you must install a binary trigger to get that functionality.
Charging Handle: The charging handle is located on the rear of the upper receiver and is used to manually cycle the action of the rifle.
Bolt Catch: The bolt catch on the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Rifle is located on the left side of the lower receiver, just above the magazine release. It’s used to hold the bolt carrier group in the rearward position, which allows for easy reloading.
Trigger: The trigger on the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Rifle is a standard AR-15 design and can be easily customized to suit the shooter’s preferences. It has a crisp and clean break and a short reset, making it ideal for rapid fire.
Ergonomics
The RF-15 Rifle is ergonomic are comfortable. From the shape of the pistol grip to the placement of the controls. The gun is a comfortable weight, the adjustable stock and quality handguard, leave an overall comfortable feel when shouldering the firearm.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or new to ARs, you would find the Radical Firearms RF-15 an ergonomic gun.
Fit and Finish
From a fit and finish perspective I find the components fit precise. No play, gaps, or hard edges.
The finish on the rifle also looks quality, with an anodized coating that’s both durable and corrosion-resistant. The finish is smooth, even, with no visible imperfections or flaws and no variance from component to component. I mention that because I have seen far more expensive firearms with variance in the finish on the receivers. So, it’s not a deal breaker for me. If the functional quality is there, but I’d be lying if I said, “I don’t even notice it.”
The attention to detail in the machining and assembly process is also evident in the overall quality of the rifle. Every component looks and feels carefully machined to exacting specifications.
Frame
The frame of the Radical Firearms .300 Blackout Semi-Automatic AR-15 Rifle is the foundation upon which the firearm is built. The lower receiver, is made from high-strength aluminum alloy.
In addition to providing a solid platform for the rifle’s components, it is also designed to be highly customizable.
The lower receiver is compatible with a wide range of aftermarket parts and accessories. You can tailor the rifle to your specific needs and preferences.
Sights
The RF-15 provides a full-length Picatinny Rail for mounting optics or sights but does not include any. Clearly, it boosts the price a bit depending on the solution you’re after, but I can’t say I found it surprising at the price point this rifle sells for. Lastly, knowing this, it’s not uncommon to be able to negotiate sights in on the purchase. Indeed, more challenging online but very doable at your local gun shop or a show.
Stock
The Radical Firearms RF-15s stock is an adjustable NFT (No Forward Travel) stock produced by Radical Firearms. The NFT features a locking mechanism that prevents the stock from moving forward.
The Radical Firearms NFT stock is adjustable for length of pull and features a comfortable rubber buttpad for recoil absorption. The stock is made from high-strength polymer and is compatible with most mil-spec buffer tubes. Its comfortable and feels hardy.
Trigger
The trigger is a standard mil-spec trigger that feels a bit heavy but is customizable. The break is crisp, and travel is respectable, just doesn’t have that “I love this trigger feel”.
The trigger is undoubtedly workable, but with so many quality aftermarket triggers,. Upgrading is something I would consider depending on how it performs shooting.
Final Thoughts
When I do these reviews, unless a product is just bad, I try to keep a perspective of the value. I factor based on the price instead of comparing the firearm to best-in-class competitors. This is even more so with AR-Style rifles. Mostly, because if the fundamentals are good than as you acclimate to the gun, you can virtually fine-tune it to precisely what you want.
Many qualities AR-Style aftermarket parts go on sale every day. If you isolate an aspect of the firearm you want to upgrade, research the upgrade options and then keep your eyes open for a sale.
Although, one little thing did come to mind while doing this review.
I’m way far from an expert and calling myself a layman would probably be closer to the mark, when it comes to suppressors. But because so many shooters like the .300 Blackout for shooting suppressed. With the 16″ barrel and a pistol length gas system what would the likely performance be on the RF-15. What little I do know is that most suppressed .300 blackouts tend to be pistol length barrels with pistol length gas systems. I am going to do a bit more asking around and research on this but please comment if you can educate me.
Radical Firearms RF-15 .300 AAC Blackout Review FAQs
The effective range of the RF-15 depends on a variety of factors. Some include barrel length, ammunition, and shooter skill, but it is generally considered effective out to 200-300 yards.
The legality of the RF-15 depends on local and state laws. Federally, it is legal to own as long as it complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding firearms ownership and use.
