IAR 15 Icon Arms

New kid on the block the Icon Arms iAR15, it’s impossible to deviate from the generic AR recipe but fit, finish and build quality will out

Though doubtless a popular rifle within a niche group, there are not many people producing AR15s. So I was intrigued by a call from Mike Jakes of Icon Arms asking about a gun review. I know the major players SGC, NWCP and Bradley Arms, so was keen to see what this new boy could bring to the party!

From my experience ARs are perhaps one of the easiest rifles to build as they are a bit of a Meccano set. Things just bolt and screw to things as that’s the way they were designed for mass production and areas like bedding and to a degree trigger tuning etc., are of no concern. What really sets them apart is the amount of aftermarket components. Don’t like the trigger, then buy a non-gunsmithing replacement part or a complete mechanism. Fancy some extended

WORK IN PROGRESS

To me the generic mann-opp AR is a work in progress, as a novice you start with the basics, learn to shoot it then apply your upgrades as required. Mike approaches the thing from the other end and this is what he has to say: “Icon Arms was established in October 2012 to provide a range of the highest quality firearms to target shooters and in particular those competing in Practical shooting disciplines. We fundamentally believe that if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well so we want to build the best rifles of their type in the world. Consequently we made the decision to use only the best materials, components, processes and finishes, also we would never release a product until it meets the high standards that we have set for ourselves.”

In essence you are buying a comp-ready machine, certainly more expensive but ready to go from the box. I can see where Mike is coming from as chances are your dream rifle will eventually turn out that way. But I would say his services are more for the experienced user who knows what they want!

GET THE IDEA

Called the iAR15 the demo rifle was definitely a prototype and sent as is, already certain changes in components are being implemented. The upper and lower receiver halves are billet-types made from 7075 T6 alloy, hard anodized and PTFE-coated for more durability. As well as black they offer OD green and flat dark earth finishes. The upper offers two options; a rear-mounted T-handle and a side-cocking modification. Ours was the former type and came fitted with an ambidextrous Ranier Arms Raptor handle.

The upper in this case features a functioning case deflector and forward say his services are more for the experienced user who knows what they want!

GET THE IDEA

Called the iAR15 the demo rifle was definitely a prototype and sent as is, already certain changes in components are being implemented. The upper and lower receiver halves are billet-types made from 7075 T6 alloy, hard anodized and PTFE-coated for more durability. As well as black they offer OD green and flat dark earth finishes. The upper offers two options; a rear-mounted T-handle and a side-cocking modification. Ours was the former type and came fitted with an ambidextrous Ranier Arms Raptor handle.

The upper in this case features a functioning case deflector and forward assist, which will not appear on the side cocker as the ejection port is lengthened. As standard the action offers the following features: trigger Geiselle 3-Gun, safety / selector and magazine release Knight Armament’s ambidextrous-types, bolt release ambidextrous via Magpul BAD lever. The pistol grip is a Magpul MIAD and the rifle comes with a 20-round P-Mag. The 4-way, free-float forend will be a Daniel Defense 12” AR15 Lite Rail II, the tester had a 13” Troy unit fitted, which will not be offered. The butt will be a Vltor A5 7-position extension with E-MOD stock, which gives a bit more LOP for those with long arms.

HEART OF THE RIFLE

Steel parts – barrel, bolt etc. are Tufftride QPQ finished, which enhances durability and reduces friction. The barrel is a 16.75” M4 profile Lothar Walther, stainless steel tube with a 1:9 twist with AAC Blackout non-mount flash hider. Iron sight are Troy Industries Micro BUIS (HK pattern). The iAR15 is chambered for 223 Wylde, which offers the external dimensions and lead angle of the military 5.56×45mm NATO with the 0.2240” freebore diameter of the civilian SAAMI .223 Remington. This should give a best of both worlds scenario for ammunition choice!

A deal of thought has gone into the iAR15. Though I would not consider all the modifications totally necessary as I’m no fan of the BAD Lever feeling it can cause last round hold open problems. Equally I have never had much truck with the ambi mag release system or selector, however for those that do and especially left handers this build spec is to be recommended.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The iAR15 even when fully bombed-up feels well balanced and though not light; not a handful either. It’s nicely presented with everything working well and easily, the trigger took a bit of getting used to as it is a Jarad single stage unit, which is Mike’s personal choice. It breaks light, crisp and clean though caused me a few surprises before I got the measure of it.
The twist rate caught me out as I assumed it would be 1-9 or tighter, but it was 1-12”. 1-9” will be the factory default, though as with everything the buyer has options. I had brought down a mixed bag of ammo; 53-grain Hornady HP Match, 55-grain American Eagle M193 FMJ and my pet AR reload a 69-grain BTHP Sierra Match King over 24-grains of Varget. 5.56x45 NATO consisted of the GGG and RG, 63-grain FMJ loads. I reckoned most of that would shoot well through a nine twister!

Given the demo nature of the rifle I really wanted to see what sort of accuracy and more importantly reliability I could expect from the Icon Arms build. Sure it looked and felt good and the spec sheet reads like an all star guest list, but as my old mum said; never buy a pig in a poke!

DOWN, TEST AND ADJUST

I fitted my old Leupold 3-9x50 Vari-X II that had been to their custom shop for new M1 turrets, a Mil-Dot reticule and a general clean and polish. OK it’s an old, one inch system but still a great optic even by today’s standards. This went into a Sports Match, one-piece mount. With the rifle being shot off a range bag with rear support.

I started with the GGG and was surprised to see it scattering everywhere; this is not what a 1-9” twist should do, I swapped to the 69-grain SMK with similar if not worse results. It then occurred to me the barrel must be a 1-12”. With that in mind I switched to the Hornady 53-grain Match, which I have found for a lighter bullet to be one of the better paper-punching loads I have used in 223 Rem. Immediately I was getting groups and not a loose collection of holes on the target going to .75”. I then switched to the American Eagle, which opened up to an inch but no more.

A 1-12” twist barrel would not be my choice, however if you don’t want all the hassle of the heavier weights and are happy to shoot out to medium ranges only, then nominal 55-grain in a 1-12 is worth consideration. For me it would be the 1-9, with my 69-grain SMK recipe, or off the shelf the GGG.

STICKY OR NOT

Now the all important question of primary extraction. With any hybrid straight-pull system the fired case must easily exit the chamber! Which is why in general side-cocking actions are to be preferred as they give a lot more to get hold of over the T-handle.

Yes I know a side cocker is ugly and detracts from the AR15 look, but believe me on a 20-round course of fire you don’t want to be fighting your rifle for every shot. The 223 Wylde spec proved most agreeable to all the ammo I shot. Equally the Ranier Raptor T-handle was easy to operate single handed with the 53, 55 and 63-grain GGG loadings. The RG and SMK required a bit more effort and you could feel just the slightest hesitation, which was still not bad. If I was anti side cocking then with the right ammo that handle would not be an impediment!

Given this example will not be the production model, which as I have detailed will feature changes I have no real complaints. Most aspects come together well; the butt gives decent head support and LOP adjustment, the MIAD pistol grip with its replaceable rear web is brilliant and the general fit and finish is good. Where I ordering one I’d lose the BAD lever and ambi mag release and go for a standard T-handle and side cocking.

Mike told me rifles will be available in 300 Blackout, plus a 22 semi-auto unit and 308 Win, which might open up to any short action calibre with a 308 head.