California Compliant Modern Ranch Rifles

[Fulcrum]

I live in California where there are laws forbidding certain "features" on semi-automatic rifles with removable box magazines, the main ones being the pistol grip and collapsible stock on typical AR platform rifles. There are workarounds that include things like fin grips or complicated systems for separating the action while reloading. And there are other strategies that use a modified angled grip instead of the pistol grip, a non-collapsible stock, or a stock shaped to offer a traditional rifle grip and then curve around under the buffer tube. I'm not interested in those solutions for now.

I'm interested in a modern gun with the engineering advantages and accuracy of modern sporting rifles that is designed in a ranch rifle format. That means a traditional hunting rifle or shotgun-style stock with no pistol grip. And that also seems to mean no buffer tube — instead, these guns use either a bufferless system or a unique proprietary buffer system. Most of these are inspired by AR platform actions, but are not all AR compatible. Compatibility varies by brand and model.

I started a thread last week about the FighLite SCR, and I got a few responses, but none from anyone who had actually used one or even handled or seen one. I guess there are not many out there in the wild yet. So I started this thread to expand the discussion to a few other examples of modern ranch rifles I've found on the Internet. Unfortunately, I don't see most of these in retail locations that I can visit and look at personally. So any feedback on these is appreciated!

Here is what I have found so far.

Fightlite SCR
https://fightlite.com/rifles/scr
Price: $1,276 unthreaded, $1,300 threaded, $700 lower only

• Weight: 5.9lbs
• Length: 37.75"
• Has buffer system in stock instead of using a buffer tube.
• Uses proprietary trigger and bolt carrier but compatible with most AR parts — uppers, barrels, handguards, bolts. Allows you to change calibers and other features by changing uppers.
• Is compatible with Remington 1100 shotgun stocks with some fitting.
• This option is the most versatile, customizable, and compatible with third-party parts.

Foxtrot Mike Ranch
https://store.fm-products.com

• Prices range depending on features. Around $1,200 standard trigger, $1,450 upgraded Hiperfire trigger
• Weight and length not known
• Barrel: 16"
• Uses a bufferless system that does not require a buffer tube.
• Built rifles come with proprietary bufferless Mike-15 uppers from Foxtrot Mike. Compatible with Brownells BRN-180 bufferless uppers.
• Unusual proprietary trigger hinges at bottom. Standard trigger is described in reviews as stiff and problem prone. Upgraded Hiperfire proprietary trigger (3.5lbs) is highly recommended and adds about $250 to price of rifle.
• Compatible with Remington 870 shotgun stocks, various styles available from manufacturer on built rifles or lowers but spotty availability. Some Woox wood stocks and some Hogue currently on FM site.
• Availability of all models is spotty.

CMMG BR4
https://cmmg.com/rifle-dissent-br4-5-56mm-14-5-p-w

• Price: $1,900 from CMMG, sometimes for less than $1,700 at retailers
• Weight: 7.7lbs
• Length: 36.5"
• Uses a completely proprietary bufferless system, including both lower and upper. AR-like, but not a true AR platform. Not compatible with other AR parts. Proprietary rifles and uppers in various calibers.
• Comes with Magpul SGA for Remington 870 (adjustable LOP and comb). Compatible with other 870 stocks.
• Barrel: Available in 14.5" + pinned and welded brake = 16" total or 16" barrel plus removable brake
• Excellent reviews for unmodified rifle straight from manufacturer.

Sig Sauer MCX Regulator
Price: $3,000 = too expensive

If you have any feedback on these guns or another modern ranch rifle I should consider, please let me know. Thanks!

[Fulcrum]

Here is a video from CMMG introducing the Dissent BR4. It helps to explain how it works and the concept behind it.

And here's a review by OG Danger Show.

And another review by Honest Outlaw.

Lots of reviews out there on this one.

Anyone have any thoughts on the BR4? It seems like the barrel lengths are very short and "tactical", which I kind of like, but is a 5.56 with a 14.5" barrel pinned and welded with a muzzle brake or a 16" with removable muzzle brake suitable for something like a KD event? Or is that too short? Any other feedback on the CMMG?

[mmirate]

Anyone have any thoughts on the BR4? It seems like the barrel lengths are very short and "tactical", which I kind of like, but is a 5.56 with a 14.5" barrel pinned and welded with a muzzle brake or a 16" with removable muzzle brake suitable for something like a KD event? Or is that too short? Any other feedback on the CMMG?

Brakes are loud. Short barrels are loud. Charging handle that far forward on the support side (if I'm seeing the photos correctly) will be hard to reach. For proper indexing+turkeyneck your head generally belongs way forward of the riser on those Magpul shotgun stocks. Palmetto State Armory has a massive sale on Regulators thru the rest of this month. I've seen 14.5-inchers shoot just fine at the 600yd high-power firing line, so it's plenty of barrel length for punching holes in the paper at 400yd.

[Fulcrum]

Anyone have any thoughts on the BR4? It seems like the barrel lengths are very short and "tactical", which I kind of like, but is a 5.56 with a 14.5" barrel pinned and welded with a muzzle brake or a 16" with removable muzzle brake suitable for something like a KD event? Or is that too short? Any other feedback on the CMMG?

Brakes are loud. Short barrels are loud. Charging handle that far forward on the support side (if I'm seeing the photos correctly) will be hard to reach. For proper indexing+turkeyneck your head generally belongs way forward of the riser on those Magpul shotgun stocks. Palmetto State Armory has a massive sale on Regulators thru the rest of this month. I've seen 14.5-inchers shoot just fine at the 600yd high-power firing line, so it's plenty of barrel length for punching holes in the paper at 400yd.

Thanks for the reply.

I just looked, and that really is a great sale at Palmetto State Armory! I'm not in a position to take advantage of it now, but it's good to know these go on sale sometimes. The Br4 sometimes goes on sale too. It seems like those two brands are the ones that are big enough they go to retailers through distributors, and sometimes you see them for less than MSRP, while the SCR and Foxtrot Mike seem like you mostly see them being sold straight from the manufacturer at one price that never changes.

You bring up a good point about the side charging on the left. If you are in the sling, it could be a problem. For shooting styles that don't use a sling, it's probably preferable. I'd have to think that one through.

On the stock, that's another thing where I'd really like to be able to handle one of these guns personally. Ergonomics are so subjective, I'd like to try it myself and see how it works for me. Sometimes in these videos and pictures, the gun is configured very different from how we are taught —- optics much further back and up much higher. The shooters look comfortable, but they don't seem like they would be stable and repeatable head positions. It makes you wonder if the gun can actually be set up to work with our techniques.

[Fulcrum]

Here's a video review of the FightLite SCR that demonstrates its compatibility and versatility really well. To me, this is the top selling point of the SCR.

In this video, the guy actually swaps out the included upper receiver for others he owns in other calibers and shoots various ammo types. So it really demonstrates that capability. Kind of cool. He does it mostly bench rest style, so it doesn't show how the ergonomics work with sling shooting, and maybe there are concerns about that. It seems like the optic probably sits a bit high for turkey neck sling shooting. But you can swap this stock out for any Remington 1100 stock, or use some other cheek riser solution.

Here's the video. Not the most polished or expertly produced or edited, but the guy seems knowledgeable.

[Fulcrum]

Here's a general platform overview of the FightLite SCR: