New Backfire Lightweight Hunting Chassis?

[Tanner]

Be a good place to mount a nutcracker .

Imaging sitting at the base of a walnut tree with your rifle across your lap and you have a nutcracker. Right there.

That, with a coffee maker right there. That’s living

 

[Leaf Litter]

WTF is the deal with having a short ass fore end on the bottom and full length handguard above the barrel? Does he realize the support comes from below the barrel? Dumb!

Gotta make it look like an AR somehow to drive sales to the early 20s mouth-breathing crowd.

 

[Speaks]

I keep going back and forth on finding a folder. I ended up getting both a 6cm and 22cm and there is so much overlap in use case where a folder could really differentiate them. Ive been going back and forth on a hunt 23 for months and just cant get myself to order one. This looks at least potentially interesting. At least its a more cost effective experiment.

I wonder if you can swap in AR grips on this one. Not sure I love the look of the grip on it but a MOE+ would be nice.

 

[swavescatter]

After watching the detailed video, I'm not sure I'd want to run much more than a 223 in one due to the polymer action inlet. They have aluminum for the action screws, but those aluminum pieces don't are both cantilevered independently off that polymer mid-section.

I'd like to see a locking folder (does not lock folded), less tacticool handguard (just need enough for a QD), longer arca only option (separate SKU for pic), fully connected aluminum action action inlet. Making the grip swappable with other AR designs would be smart to allow customization. If they add thumbscrews for the butt-pad they should still ship hex screws only for streamlined use in the field.

Beyond that I'm glad to see competition in the sub-$1k price range.

 

[swavescatter]

I keep going back and forth on finding a folder. I ended up getting both a 6cm and 22cm and there is so much overlap in use case where a folder could really differentiate them. Ive been going back and forth on a hunt 23 for months and just cant get myself to order one. This looks at least potentially interesting. At least its a more cost effective experiment.

I wonder if you can swap in AR grips on this one. Not sure I love the look of the grip on it but a MOE+ would be nice.

I've had XLR Element 4.0's and now a folding HNT26. The MDT is definitely higher build quality and the folding mechanism is much better designed but $$$.

With both of these, I've debated whether I'd want a folder or not with 16-18" barrels. In the end, having it is nice but definitely not necessary with my 16.5" 22 creed.

 

[HighUintas]

After watching the detailed video, I'm not sure I'd want to run much more than a 223 in one due to the polymer action inlet. They have aluminum for the action screws, but those aluminum pieces don't are both cantilevered independently off that polymer mid-section.

I was also thinking about how their bedding section is essentially 3 different disjointed pieces. I would think that you could potentially cause some poi changes by torquing the foreend while shooting since it is part of the front action screw anchor/pillar.

I am excited to see how it works out

 

[dårlig jeger]

After watching the detailed video, I'm not sure I'd want to run much more than a 223 in one due to the polymer action inlet. They have aluminum for the action screws, but those aluminum pieces don't are both cantilevered independently off that polymer mid-section.

I'd like to see a locking folder (does not lock folded), less tacticool handguard (just need enough for a QD), longer arca only option (separate SKU for pic), fully connected aluminum action action inlet. Making the grip swappable with other AR designs would be smart to allow customization. If they add thumbscrews for the butt-pad they should still ship hex screws only for streamlined use in the field.

Beyond that I'm glad to see competition in the sub-$1k price range.

You think a polymer receiver is less durable than say a Stockys accublock?

I like the idea of it not feeling as cold if that's an attribute. I agree on the locking folder. That might still be something they are working on before full production (I hope).

 

[Speaks]

I've had XLR Element 4.0's and now a folding HNT26. The MDT is definitely higher build quality and the folding mechanism is much better designed but $$$.

With both of these, I've debated whether I'd want a folder or not with 16-18" barrels. In the end, having it is nice but definitely not necessary with my 16.5" 22 creed.

Yea with 16.5 (mine is as well) its already getting pretty compact. Honestly most hunting I do this would not matter and I assume I will shoot a stock better. Ive been toying with a BWCA bear hunt and for in the canoe the folder would be really nice along with the short barrel. Handy for a general truck gun as well as folder makes the difference in fitting behind the seat.

But those are kind of niche and not a huge deal. If I only had the 6 or the 22 I would for sure go stock. With both I keep feeling the need to differentiate the use case. Just cant bring myself to spend $1500 to try it out (or even the $13somthing I see for one in the classifieds right now) compared to just ordering a RS lite for it in a few weeks.

This one is intriguing but still on the fence.

 

[swavescatter]

You think a polymer receiver is less durable than say a Stockys accublock?

Without any data, my guess is that it would be less rigid and flex more than resin/fiberglass. Plus the fact that the aluminum pieces are not fastened in any way, just interference fit. Seems like a lawyer videoblogger and a freshly minted 22 year old bachelor's Mech Eng BYU grad designed it.

The action is literally the only place I would think need to be overengineered, and they took the almost opposite approach. Probably fine for a 223...

 

[Andouille]

Without any data, my guess is that it..... Probably fine for a 223...

So without any data, you are going to assume that its an inherently flawed product that they're not going to test with multiple calibers before selling? Their recent products and videos don't indicate that they're just 'winging it' when it comes to shooting accuracy.

I'm going to take the opposite attitude and assume that Backfire has the resources and connections to conduct large caliber testing and engineering analysis, unless actual data shows otherwise. Seems likely that like with most hunting products, we'll see independent testing reports in the near future.

 

[JDMBEND]

At that price I am trying one. If it sucks, I will sell it at a couple hundred dollar loss and move on.
After using a folder for the first time on a backpacking hunt, I am sold on the concept.

 

[swavescatter]

So without any data, you are going to assume that its an inherently flawed product that they're not going to test with multiple calibers before selling? Their recent products and videos don't indicate that they're just 'winging it' when it comes to shooting accuracy.

I'm going to take the opposite attitude and assume that Backfire has the resources and connections to conduct large caliber testing and engineering analysis, unless actual data shows otherwise. Seems likely that like with most hunting products, we'll see independent testing reports in the near future.

I said GUESS. Assume would be me making conclusions or statements without any testing/data/reviews. You are the one assuming here.

 

[gerry35]

With regards to Jim's Youtube channel, I am in the minority on this thread in that I actually like the channel.

Some loud elitists on Rokslide but in the big scheme of things a very small part of the shooting/hunting community. I generally like Jim's channel too, he sure puts a lot of effort into making content and shows the good and bad of the products they test.

 

[Andouille]

I said GUESS. Assume would be me making conclusions or statements without any testing/data/reviews. You are the one assuming here.

Not sure of your point on semantics, either way you are expressing doubt in the chassis based on armchair engineering, and my point that this product is likely to be tested and vetted before release stands. Im open to changing my opinion if data shows the chassis is deficient for larger calibers.

 

[bojangles808]

I've had XLR Element 4.0's and now a folding HNT26. The MDT is definitely higher build quality and the folding mechanism is much better designed but $$$.

interesting. the XLR folder mechanism is the only thing I prefer on that style chassis vs a hnt 26. I don't want a button to open it and the Hnt26 has a very loud click when it opens if you aren't very careful and holding down the button to open.

 

[swavescatter]

Not sure of your point on semantics, either way you are expressing doubt in the chassis based on armchair engineering, and my point that this product is likely to be tested and vetted before release stands.

I mean… you called me out (incorrectly) for making assumptions and then proudly stated that you will make an assumption.

I’m pretty skeptical with Rev 1 designs, and Jim himself suggested he sees an improved V2 coming after testing/feedback.

If Backfire had confidence that this polymer was as strong as other typical inletting materials, then why use aluminum for the arca rail and action screws at all? They are relying on the action to secure both ends of buttstock and rail without twisting/bending it seems. Maybe this will work?

In the end, I’m skeptical but my hope is that it works as a more affordable alternative. I won’t assume anything though just because he’s such a nice guy.

 

[swavescatter]

interesting. the XLR folder mechanism is the only thing I prefer on that style chassis vs a hnt 26. I don't want a button to open it and the Hnt26 has a very loud click when it opens if you aren't very careful and holding down the button to open.

I primarily side carry in a slik sling, and my XLRs would constantly have the stock try to fold itself any time something lightly pressed that release button. Pretty annoying but maybe just my specific geometry

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’m a pretty big fan of the XLR chassis with the Samson folder. It solves a lot of the “folder issues” I found with the CF XLR option. It’s 2oz heavier from what I recall.

 

[diverc18]

This thing makes my rokstok look pretty lol

 

[BAKPAKR]

interesting. the XLR folder mechanism is the only thing I prefer on that style chassis vs a hnt 26. I don't want a button to open it and the Hnt26 has a very loud click when it opens if you aren't very careful and holding down the button to open.

So, is the case against locked closed that you are worried that the animal, that hasn’t spooked while you took your pack off to pull your rifle out of its stored position, is going to take off when you open the Hnt26 stock hastily?