Modern sporting rifles, like the AR-15 and all its variants, are a very popular choice for America's gun owners. This trend continues in 2023, with new guns from new names like Bersa as well as well-known brands like Bushmaster and Ruger.
B&T USA | APC223 Pro
B&T puts the Pro touches on its rugged and reliable APC223 rifle. Dual, folding, non-reciprocating charging handles and fully ambidextrous controls let you run the gun the way you like it, plus there’s a two-stage trigger and monolithic upper receiver. Optic not included.
▶Gas-piston operating system
▶Folding stock
▶M-Lok-compatible handguard
▶Hydraulic buffer system
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 24 to 33 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 3 ounces
MSRP: $3,300
(813) 653-1200 bt-usa.com
Bersa | BAR15MGP
Part of Bersa’s new line of American-made carbines and large-format pistols, the BAR15MGP is an AR-platform carbine built with Magpul furniture. The receivers are fabricated from 7075 aluminum alloy for light weight and strength.
▶Magpul trigger guard
▶Magpul MOE+ pistol grip
▶Magpul MOE stock
▶Anodized aluminum receiver
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 32.5 to 35.8 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 4 ounces
MSRP: $879
(833) 476-1547 bersa.com
Bushmaster | M4 Patrolman’s MOE
Complete with Magpul furniture from head to toe, but also sporting a retro look thanks to its detachable carry handle, this new AR is 100-percent American-made. It promises superior performance befitting the legendary brand that is under new ownership and manufacturing out of a new location.
▶7075 forged-aluminum receivers
▶4150 steel, nitrided barrel
▶F-marked A2 front sight
▶Magpul furniture
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 32.5 to 36 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 14 ounces
MSRP: $969
(800) 883-6229 bushmaster.com
Bushmaster | QRC II Patrol Pro
An upgraded version of the original Quick Reaction Carbine, this AR sports a carbine-length gas system, Bushmaster’s newly designed freefloat M-Lok handguards with 14 inches of top rail space and forged upper and lower receivers. Lightweight and maneuverable, its proven lineage indicates outstanding performance and dependability.
▶B5 Bravo stock
▶B5 Type 23 P-Grip
▶A2 birdcage flash hider
▶1:7-inch-twist barrel
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 33 to 36.5 inches
Weight: 5 pounds, 14 ounces
MSRP: $865
(800) 883-6229 bushmaster.com
Faxon Firearms | Sentinel
Part of Faxon’s Summit line, the new Sentinel .308 AR-10 rifle is designed as a custom rifle at an off-the-shelf price, with Faxon’s Streamline M-Lok handguard, Superfinished bolt-carrier group and a fluted, heavy barrel being just a few of the premium components.
▶5R rifling
▶MuzzLock muzzle brake
▶Rise Armament trigger
▶Rifle-length gas system
Specifications
Caliber: .308 Win.
Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 37 to 40.3 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
MSRP: $1,899
(513) 280-8861 faxonfirearms.com
FN America | FN 15 Guardian
For the first time, FN’s legendary quality is available in a rifle for less than $1,000. The new Guardian sports a mid-length gas system beneath a 15-inch freefloat M-Lok handguard. The forward assist has been removed to create a sleek, snag-free upper-receiver, and the 1:7-inch-twist, chrome-moly barrel provides excellent accuracy.
▶Low-profile gas block
▶FN-designed, highly textured pistol grip
▶Custom FN six-position buttstock
▶Precision-tuned barrel
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 32.1 to 35.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 10 ounces
MSRP: $999
(703) 288-3500 fnamerica.com
IWI US | Carmel Rifle
Originally designed as a next-generation battle rifle, the Carmel is completely ambidextrous. Ejection direction and the charging-handle location can be easily changed in the field. Add outstanding ergonomics, short-stroke gas-piston operation and a two-position-adjustable gas block, and the result is a user-friendly defensive carbine.
▶Folding, collapsible stock
▶Monolithic MIL-STD 1913 top rail
▶M-Lok-compatible fore-end
▶Non-reciprocating charging handle
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inchesOverall Length 33.8 to 37.3 inches, 26.8 inches (folded)
Weight: 8 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP: $1,799
(717) 695-2081 iwi.us
IWI US | Zion-15 Special Purpose Rifle
Made in the U.S., this tribute to the Mk 12 SPR with the latest upgrades, including a 17-inch freefloat handguard with an integrated ARCA rail. A steel barrel nut helps ensure accuracy and durability, while the 18-inch barrel helps add a bit more reach over a carbine.
▶IWI two-stage Precision Match Trigger
▶B5 Systems stock
▶Magpul PMag
▶M-Lok slots on handguard
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 31.5 to 34.8 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 10 ounces
MSRP: $1,299
(717) 695-2081 iwi.us
KelTec | R50
Proving that the company knows what its customers want, KelTec has introduced the R50, a carbine version of the popular P50 released a few years ago. Using the same FN PS90 magazine, the R50 features a folding stock, threaded barrel and an AR-style charging handle.
▶QD sling mount
▶Side-folding stock
▶Picatinny rail for optics
▶Ambidextrous safety lever
Specifications
Caliber: 5.7x28 mm
Magazine Capacity: 50 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 16.1 to 30.5 inches
Weight: 3 pounds, 8 ounces
MSRP: $815
(800) 515-9983 keltecweapons.com
LWRCI | IC DI Premium Grey Multicam
This direct-impingement rifle features a 12-inch M-Lok free-float rail, LWRCI’s proprietary DI system with keyless DI gas block as well as a premium grey Multicam Cerakote finish. A spiral-fluted barrel, fully ambidextrous lower controls and compact stock with QD mount are just icing on the cake.
▶Magpul PMag
▶NiCorr-treated LWRCI DI gas block
▶A2 flash hider
▶Mil-spec buffer tube
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 32 to 35.3 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $2,108
(410) 901-1348 lwrci.com
LWRCI | IC Discovery
LWRCI went back to the basics for the IC Discovery and built an affordable, high-quality, ready-to-shoot rifle. Touches like a modular one-piece freefloat rail and LWRCI’s proprietary direct-impingement system with keyless DI gas block means this rifle is a tremendous value.
▶Magpul MOE stock
▶Magpul MOE grip
▶Monoforge upper receiver
▶Hammer forged spiral fluted barrel
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 32.1 to 35.4 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 11 ounces
MSRP: $1,369
(410) 901-1348 lwrci.com
Maxim Defense | MD-15 Lite
Maxim Defense’s MD-15 Lite has a 16-inch barrel that is free-floated under a handguard loaded with M-Lok slots. A flat-face trigger from Blackout Defense and a Radian charging handle are just two more features on this high-performance AR-15.
▶4150 CrMoV barrel
▶Carbine buffer system
▶Magpul MOE SL-K stock
▶Magpul MBUS sights
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 33 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 6 ounces
MSRP: $1,995
(239) 580-7800 maximdefense.com
Red Arrow Weapons | .308 Win. Rifle
While the Midnight Bronze finish of this rifle might attract your eye, underneath, you’ll find features like a fluted barrel, a CMC 2.5-pound single-stage trigger and a Melonite-coated bolt carrier group. This is topped off with a Magpul stock and grip and an M-Lok-compatible fore-end to make a nicely packed AR-10 style rifle.
▶Ambidextrous safety
▶Rifle-length gas system
▶Magpul PMag
▶Threaded barrel
Specifications
Caliber: .308 Win.
Capacity: 20 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 35.8 to 39 inches
Weight: 8 pounds, 8 ounces
MSRP: $1,691
(833) 940-0068 redarrowweapons.com
Rock River Arms | Ascendant
Purpose-built to deliver the highest accuracy potential and reliability possible in a production-built rifle, the River Arms Ascendant sports a barrel made of 416R
stainless steel that is also cryogenically treated.
▶Magpul PRS Lite stock
▶TriggerTech trigger
▶Vortex scope included
▶RRA 13-inch lightweight M-Lok handguard
Specifications
Chambering: .223 Wylde
Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 37 to 38.1 inches
Weight: 9 pounds, 6 ounces
MSRP: $3,235
(866) 980-7625 rockriverarms.com
Rock River Arms | Assurance Carbine
Originally designed for multiple government-agency programs and various law-enforcement groups, this carbine takes a proven design and modifies the functionality to meet the needs of the consumer.
▶Hogue pistol grip
▶A2 flash hider
▶RRA 6-position Operator stock
▶Forged A4 flattop upper receiver
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 33 to 36 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $1,290
(866) 980-7625 rockriverarms.com
Ruger | SFAR
The SFAR combines the ballistic advantages of .308 Win. with the size of a traditional MSR. Through superior materials and engineering, it is bigger and stronger where it needs to be and remains smaller and lighter than comparable offerings.
▶Freefloated handguard with M-Lok-attachment points
▶Ruger 2-port Boomer muzzle brake
▶Magpul furniture
▶Ruger Elite 452 trigger
Specifications
Caliber: 7.62 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 38 to 41.3 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 5 ounces
MSRP: $1,329
(336) 949-5200 ruger.com
SIG Sauer | M400 SDI X-Series
SIG Sauer’s utilitarian M400 rifle gets some X-series upgrades with fully ambidextrous controls, a mid-length gas system with low-profile gas block, hybrid flash hider/compensator and a two-stage, proprietary Flatblade trigger.
▶Magpul SL stock
▶SIG Flatblade match trigger
▶Ambidextrous bolt release
▶Full-length Picatinny rail
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 33.5 to 36.8 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $1,299
(603) 610-3000 sigsauer.com
