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Armalon EasyCam

Armalon EasyCam

The real problem with all straight-pull AR15s and even more so AR10s is primary extraction. The self-loading mechanism of the original guns did not suffer this; as the speed at which the action cycled provided the motive force required. However, with our manually –operated versions (hybrids) use the wrong ammo and you will struggle to open the breech on every shot!

Too Much Hassle

Truth is, the natural evolution of the manually-operated, 223 Remington AR15 has given us bigger, side-mounted operating handles. OK hard extraction still happens, but there’s now more to get hold of. However, development has also offered new calibres like 6.5mm Grendel and 6.8mm SPC, which are designed to give better down range ballistics in gas guns. Sure they work in straight-pulls but need to be down-loaded to suit, which will degrade ballistics so reducing some of the advantages. Likewise the brave few that use the 308 Winchester AR10s, which are pure bitches in terms of primary extraction.

Enter Pete Sarony (Armalon Ltd) who ironically is offering a solution for the AR15 in the form of his EasyCam. I say this as Pete has always been a major player in the Practical Rifle scene, yet never offered a mann-opp AR. This has not stopped him designing/producing what I consider to be a most practical accessory.

Having used 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC AR 15s, there’s no doubt that the ammo needs to be tailored to the gun to ensure easy operation, which means reducing the powder charge and therefore velocity. If not, primary extraction becomes a problem; hence the creation of the EasyCam.

A Few Thousands Of An Inch

The EasyCam was originally designed for the heavy receivered AR15s, like the Southern Gun Co Speedmaster. It attaches to the rear cocking handle hole in the bolt carrier and fits inside the ejection port, so no modification is needed.

The unit consists of a cam block that sits in the front end of the ejection port, operating lever with large roller handle and the connecting linkage, which offers the mechanical advantage required. There’s a simple rubber O-ring that ensures the handle stays tight up against the block and three spares and a fitting hook are included.

Pete said there might be a few hiccups in fitting due to the width of the ejection port, as these can differ a few thou. To fit; remove the handle and screw the EasyCam unit to the carrier using the rear, threaded hole. Note there’s an O-ring that retains the screw, which must be removed first. The operating handle sits down at 7 o’clock if you look at the right side of the receiver and the rounded end of the cam block is flush with the front end of the ejection port.

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I did find that there was a little binding between the sides of the cam block and the port, but a drop of oil and a bit dry cycling sorted that out in not time. Apart from that no problems!

Mixed Mag Drills

One thing you must bear in mind is the system is designed to be used with the rifle in the shoulder, as you don’t pull the lever up, but the handle back. Here the cam block pushes tight up against the ejection port, which gives the required leverage so the carrier can move backwards to rotate the bolt and complete the primary extraction phase. The rest is identical – pull the action open hard and fast then let the handle go so it can feed, chamber and lock.

My rifle is a 223 so I dug out some old RG 85, which is known for its hard extraction and made up some 55-grain FMJ loads using 24.5-grains of Vit N133. This recipe was perfect for my old gas-operated AR15 A2 (pre 1988), but proved far too hot for my Speedmasters. Mixing this up in a magazine with my current load of a 69-grain SMK over 24-grains of Vit N140 gave me the surprise breaks I was after.

As always the hard extraction makes itself known with a total lock up of the bolt that requires real effort on the cocking handle. With the EasyCam you feel the same initial hesitation then the leverage effect comes in and you’re open. Truth is if you use the rifle properly; you don’t feel a lot of difference between hard and normal extraction. I put about 200-rounds of ammo through and at no time did the mounting screw loosen so no worries on that score.

You might feel that the EasyCam is a waste of time for a 223 AR, as with today’s modern and efficient, low pressure powders you can make near perfect ammo. That may be so, but in hot weather chamber pressures do increase, or a case is perhaps just a tad too long and I have to say that even with my reloads and selected factory ammo I’ve had the occasional hard extraction or two.

Get Some!

In reality it offers the 223 shooter is the ability to use any ammo with confidence. Likewise if you want the improved performance of 6.5mm Grendel or 6.8mm SPC you don't have to down-load to ensure reliability. It also goes without saying that the EasyCam is near mandatory for a 308 AR10 or similar.

Pete told me that there’s a version for the standard AR15 receiver, which mounts the cam block on the side of the action. I have to say that overall I was most impressed with the EasyCam and reckon it’s well worth putting on your AR15 no mater what calibre!

PRICES: £135 Inc VAT

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  • Armalon EasyCam - image {image:count}

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  • Armalon EasyCam - image {image:count}

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  • Armalon EasyCam - image {image:count}

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