By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com
July 5, 2019
Last updated on 7/14/19.
The good folks at Battle Arms Development (BAD) have a very interesting limited-edition (100 units) ultra-lightweight, skeletonized 5.56mm NATO (5.56x45mm NATO) tactical AR (AR-15) carbine called the Battle Arms Development BAD OIP (Ounces is Pounds) GEN-2 aka BATTLEARMS OIP 002 Ultra Lightweight Rifle Gen2, and DefenseReview (DR) was lucky enough to view and handle it at SHOT Show 2019. The BAD OIP essentially shaves every possible ounce of weight off the AR platform, and it’s really somethig to handle and behold. The GEN-2 BAD OIP offers some “quality-of-life” improvements over the GEN-1 BAD OIP (a collaboration with Bentwood Gunsmithing four years ago), and you can see them in DR’s video on it, below.
First, Battle Arms Development shortened the BAD OIP’s proprietary pencil-profile barrel from 15.25″ (15.25 inches) to 14.5″ (14.5 inches). That little mod took barrel weight from 3.9 lbs (pounds) to 3.8 lbs. That may not sound like much, but that’s an ounce off the front of the gun, every ounce counts in the aggregate. BAD also swapped the GEN-1’s permanently fixed carbon fiber tactical handguard/rail system for a “user-removable” carbon fiber handguard/rail with M-LOK accessory-mounting slots and more ventilation on the GEN-2. The BAD OIP GEN-2 also sports a new BAD Thumper Titanium muzzle brake, which attenuates/mitigates felt recoil and muzzle flash.
Moving back on the gun, the new BAD OIP GEN-2 utilizes an exclusive skeletonized Battle Arms Development AR-15 BAD556-LW Receiver Set, and an improved Amor-Ti-coated titanium BCG (Bolt Carrier Group). Armor-Ti is a proprietary surface-hardening coating for titanium components/parts that’s similar to salt-bath nitriding for steel parts, so it enhances the BCG’s longevity.The GEN-2 BAD OIP’s pistol grip is made of carbon fiber, as opposed to the GEN-1’s polymer ERGO Grip, and it has some nice “grip chevrons” cut into it to further lighten it. The production version of the grip will have “OIP” printed on the side.
The GEN-2 BAD OIP of course features the tried and true Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS AR15/AR10 ambi (ambidextrous) safety/selector switch. The trigger is a 4.5-5lb Rock River Arms RRA 2-Stage National Match Trigger Kit.
The BATTLEARMS OIP 002 Ultra Lightweight Rifle Gen2 is rocking a BAD-MRO™ Lightweight Optic Mount for the Trijicon MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic), and even sports a titanium bolt catch/release lever and titanium takedown pins. The BAD-MRO lightweight optic mount gives the shooter a reasonably high cheek weld for a natural head position while shooting.
The BAD OIP Gen-2 currently comes in at $ 3,290.00 USD, but it’s very cool, very high quality, and very exclusive.
It goes without saying that Defense Review would very much like to run this one at the range.
Company Contact Info:
Battle Arms Development
451 E Sunset
Henderson NV 89011
United States
Phone: 702-802-3588
Fax: 702-948-4472
Email Sales: sales@battlearmsdevelopment.com
Website: https://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com
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