New Backfire Lightweight Hunting Chassis?

[acidcypher]

did you weigh it before installing? sucks about the mag catch. a chassis that doesn't feed seems like a pretty big miss

Weight before installing was 32.8 ounces. The cap to protect the butt pad adds another 2.1 ounces. For those who don't know or didnt find it obvious, the chassis is largely SLA 3D printed. The arcade, picatiny, trigger guard, and folding stock piece are all aluminum, but the rest of the parts that aren't carbon are 3D printed. Seems well done, but I am curious to see how holds up. But im just over 11 lbs with a suppressor, so it is pretty light weight and I didnt even try.

We will see how their customer service treats the mag catch issue. It shouldn't be hard to tweak, but im curious to see how they handle it. Pictures show the amount of play in the mag, which is small, but enough to cause the bolt to ride over rounds without stripping them out of the mag.

 

[Eo12]

Weight before installing was 32.8 ounces. The cap to protect the butt pad adds another 2.1 ounces. For those who don't know or didnt find it obvious, the chassis is largely SLA 3D printed. The arcade, picatiny, trigger guard, and folding stock piece are all aluminum, but the rest of the parts that aren't carbon are 3D printed. Seems well done, but I am curious to see how holds up. But im just over 11 lbs with a suppressor, so it is pretty light weight and I didnt even try.

We will see how their customer service treats the mag catch issue. It shouldn't be hard to tweak, but im curious to see how they handle it. Pictures show the amount of play in the mag, which is small, but enough to cause the bolt to ride over rounds without stripping them out of the mag.

does the chassis have any flex to it? or does it feel solid and durable enough to be used in the mountains for hunting or just as a range gun only?

 

[Tahoe1305]

Weight before installing was 32.8 ounces. The cap to protect the butt pad adds another 2.1 ounces. For those who don't know or didnt find it obvious, the chassis is largely SLA 3D printed. The arcade, picatiny, trigger guard, and folding stock piece are all aluminum, but the rest of the parts that aren't carbon are 3D printed. Seems well done, but I am curious to see how holds up. But im just over 11 lbs with a suppressor, so it is pretty light weight and I didnt even try.

We will see how their customer service treats the mag catch issue. It shouldn't be hard to tweak, but im curious to see how they handle it. Pictures show the amount of play in the mag, which is small, but enough to cause the bolt to ride over rounds without stripping them out of the mag.

I’m not sure why I expected it to be a bit lighter. That’s roughly same weight as Seekins Hunter chassis with an aftermarket grip.

If it’s sturdy though, more power to it.

 

[acidcypher]

does the chassis have any flex to it? or does it feel solid and durable enough to be used in the mountains for hunting or just as a range gun only?

This is my new elk gun. It definitely feels sturdy enough to trust in the mountains.

 

[Andouille]

I’m not sure why I expected it to be a bit lighter. That’s roughly same weight as Seekins Hunter chassis with an aftermarket grip.

If it’s sturdy though, more power to it.

Weight for early production models was originally advertised at 28 oz, but they added mass to make the chassis sturdier. Sturdy is important, but still a bit of a bummer for use with light caliber guns where a total weight of <9 lbs is desired (including suppressor and robust optic).

 

[trophyhill]

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

Is there something wrong with the AR platform?

 

[JTabas1989]

Yea the thumb notch for the hnt 26 is a huge plus. When I saw no thumb shelf on this one I was surprised as that's also a deal breaker to me. Also the forend and how it carries is also what I look for now after carrying a squared aluminum forend XLR style vs rounded carbon of the hnt26, the hnt 26 carries so much more comfortably imo esp with the 3 rd flush mags. Not sure about this one as there is a lot going on with the forend

Y'all are blind lol. There's absolutely a thumb shelf on this

 

[acidcypher]

Wanted to throw a little update on here about everything.

First off, I got an MDT field stock while waiting for my XLR chassis to arrive for my 6.5, and the backlight chassis is way more sturdy and less flexy than the MDT. Not knocking on the MDT, just a good frame of comparison that some people might be familiar with. (granted it is also 1/4 of the price)

Secondly, I pulled the magazine latch from the MDT and put it into the backlight. It's not perfect because the holes are slightly different sizes, but the spring is way stronger and the gun now feeds flawlessly.

I contacted backfire with my findings, and they said I am the second to mention mag latch concerns and they have redesigned the mechanism in the last week or 2 and are willing to just swap out my chassis to get me the updated version.

A+ customer service so far.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

I got my hands on one as well. Haven't had time to hit the range yet but I would describe my initial impressions as "Optimistic" especially at the price point. A few things right off the bat that I like.

1. It feels solid, no flexing like polymer Tupperware stocks, but it's not metal so it also won't be frigid to the touch in cold weather.
2. The grip feels good, angle and palm swell are comfortable.
3. The features are pretty well thought out. Built in Arca and pic rail, buttstock has a built in bag rider, soft foam on the cheek riser, and it is quite light (don't have an actual weight).

A couple of imperfections that I notice:
1. You need to use medium or high rings. The buttstock goes above bore but because the cheek riser isn't angled it forces your cheek higher, much like and AR.
2. There is the tiniest amount of play in the buttstock, not nearly as much as a typical AR but it is there.


Again, these are early first impressions, I will have a much more informed opinion after spending time at the range and ultimately taking it in the field over the course of this hunting season, but I am optimistic that they may be on the right track with this thing. Time and use will tell.

 

[acidcypher]

On a customer service note, after telling them about my mag catch issues, they sent me a new chassis with their upgraded mag latch within a week. It is much tighter and feeds reliably now. Sent me a return label to return the first chassis. They have been great to work with.

I feel like its priced pretty fairly, maybe just a tad high. But all gun stuff is. It's definitely a lot stiffer and lighter than Something like the mdt field stock, but doesn't compare to something like the ACC elite or XLR element. But its also half the price.