Southern Gun Co Visit

Post the 1988 self-loading rifle (SLR) ban life was rather dull for we ex-SLR users, agreed bolt-actions shot as well if not better, but you know… However it was not long after that we began to see what I call hybrid, straight-pull AR15s. Essentially a standard AR, built at factory without a drilled barrel or gas tube. Operation was by the rear-mounted T-handle for every shot, which in the semi-auto gun was only used to chamber the first round; after that it was self-loading all the way. Great idea but the reality was a little different!

SOMETHING BETTER

The biggest problem with the generic straight-pull AR is primary extraction – unsticking the fired case from the chamber. On a gas gun (semi-auto AR15) the speed of the action breaks the empty out easily, but given the power of the ammo, which will affect chamber pressure you have little mechanical advantage to do the job manually. Factor in the T-handle is badly positioned and too small to do the job efficiently. I was tempted but the reality far out-weighed the dream! Reloading or finding the right ammo helped as did handle extensions like the Tac-Latch, which offered a bit more to get hold of. But something better was required!

This came in the form of one Bob Clark and the then new Southern Gun Co. I had seen his adverts about a rifle called the Speedmaster, which looked like an AR15 racegun, with a 1” diameter, heavy/fluted 20” barrel, free-float forend and a rather odd looking raised scope base integral to the receiver. What really made it stand out was the feature that many have copied over the years that finally gave a hybrid straight-pull that could potentially solve all the problems of the T-handle guns. As Bob had made a special, heavy-walled upper with a charging handle on the right side of the bolt carrier and a fold-down, SLR-like cocking slide on the left.

To me it was ugly with none of the aesthetics of my ex AR15 A2, also it was big and heavy, but it could shoot, was reliable and showed massive accuracy potential. First time out at Bisley Bob brought down a 20” version and with decent match ammo I was pulling easy ½” groups at 100 yards. Like any hybrid using the right ammo is the key, but the ambidextrous cocking system and the added leverage offered made the occasional and unavoidable hard extraction easy to clear. Plus they were faster and more efficient to shoot.

MOVING ON

The generic Speedmaster moved on with modifications and improvements to the design, plus more model options. It was found that the straight handle on the right put the hand far too forward with empty cases bouncing off and occasionally falling back into the action. A drop-back, dog leg design cured this, later this was also angled down and the left side cocker was extended too. Barrels were shortened, lengthened, lightened in essence made to customer requirements and irons sights offered along with all the other dress-up and go-faster bits.

Bob also offered the Armalite AR10 in 308 Win as well as other calibres using the same head size, these were big rifles and not that efficient even with twin cocking handles. Then there were 22 Rimfire conversion kits, dedicated 22 uppers and later the V22, which was probably the first ever 22 AR in the UK. Often copied but never bettered, I consider Bob Clark the father of the modern, hybrid AR15 in the UK! I have owned four of his guns in various formats with no complaints!

I’d just like to say that it’s not just Practical-types that favour Bob’s ARs. As they are equally popular with fox shooters etc. and those who just appreciate a well-made and high accuracy potential rifle with a different and efficient action. I have even seen 24 and 26” long range guns too.

RADICAL LR

But Bob did not stop there as latter he designed the first ever lever-action AR15 chambered in 9mm – the LA9. Built for Gallery Rifle etc. and based on an AR15 it is unique in that it uses a hinged pistol grip for operation. This was followed by the LA30, same thing but chambered for 30 US Carbine; he even made a prototype LA in 223 Rem, which never made production status. Another oddity was the Competitor pistol. A single shot design chambered in 44 Magnum it had a rotary, rear-loading breech system and was designed for Long Range Pistol competition.

Over the years one thing Bob has always striven for is autonomy as original components were bought-in but gradually and with his engineering experience more and more parts are made in-house with the exception of barrels. This policy also allows him to modify and improve his products as we shall see!

One thing SGC offers is a custom build service (SGC Custom Builder). As you can access a large menu of components and options, which you fill in as to your needs to create your perfect AR. For example I had a High Power Rifle gun made that was configured as the M16 A2 with irons sighs and standard furniture for competition. However inside was a free-float H-Bar barrel for maximum accuracy. My M4-type carbine however showed a lighter 16” tube and telescopic butt. But I have seen some amazing creations built for others.

The most radical if not controversial gun that SGC offers is their new LR9 (lever Release 9mm). It’s what I what term a semi, semi-auto. The law says we cannot have Centrefire, self-loading rifles and also defines a semi-auto/self-loading action as one that fires, ejects and reloads at one pull of the trigger. The LR9 works on a blowback action with a difference, as after it opens up and ejects the bolt is held to the rear. This then makes the action non semi-automatic as you have to press the separate LR lever to release it forward to chamber. As we shall see the design has moved on considerably!

A NOSE ABOUT

Bob had been on at me to come down to SGC for some time and I finally made it this year. Based in Cornwall it’s an impressive set up that belies its rural setting. There is some serious production facilities that includes wire erroders, CAD/CAM machinery and a staff of three highly qualified engineers running them. Upper and lower receivers are now machined out of solid and subtly improved, though if you want you can still have an original AR lower for your rifle, which will save weight. The AR10 too has been re-thought and apart from barrel is all made in-house and now offers a number of short-action calibres that use the standard 308 head size; 243 & 308 Win, 260 Rem, and 7mm 08 Rem. Plus the 223 Rem guns are also available in 204 Ruger, 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC too.
The standard Speedmaster has not changed that much, but Bob now offers a new charging handle with an adjustable grip along with in-house free-float forend - plain or slotted. Plus the usual light, medium or heavy and H-Bar barrels along with a choice of rifling twists and lengths. The office is full of all the usual accessories with the likes of Magpul, Hogue and the rest of the AR15 kit from many manufactures.

The core of the business is still ARs but things have changed. The original LR9 has moved up a gear, now using Glock magazines and with a dedicated and more modern lower it looks much better. Equally he has now made a 45 ACP version. Both guns show short/heavy barrels and offer the option of muzzle brakes and a new forend. This is a 4-way, free-float type with a difference as it’s QD – all very clever! What really impressed is the LR223, chambered in 223 Rem it uses the same LR mechanism but with a gas/piston operating system firing from a locked, rotary bolt. I shot this and the LR45 and though the 45 is a peach the 223 is awesome. It’s optimised with a 16” barrel and Bob admits it’s not quite as accurate as a straight-pull but there’s not a lot in it. The bad news is it ain’t going to be cheap to the tune of around £5,000 but I was told 100 people have already ordered, which does not surprise me!

The original V22, which was looking a bit long in the tooth by comparison to the more modern 22 AR-types has also undergone a sea change. The design has been totally re-vamped with all components (less barrel) now made in house. Add in the new, aluminium 25-round and a 10-shot magazines which are massively reliable and it now offers a highly competitive design too. Though the basic premise of Southern Gun Co has not changed, which is of building superior, innovative and specialised guns; concepts and products certainly have.

I have been promised the LR9, LR45 and LR223 along with the new V22 for testing in the near future and also the latest, standard Speedmaster too. So watch out for some exciting gun tests.