Counterpoise Kit by ArmForté


A - Your rifle, B- Drill Bit, C- "D Fender" (close-up photo below), D - Anti Bounce Weight,
E - Spring, F - Plastic Spacer, G - Buffer Assembly.


COUNTERPOISE KIT FOR M16/AR15 RIFLES

This is the next step in the refinement process for the M16/AR15 rifle. Jointly designed by Jim Sullivan and Mack Gwinn. $189.00


HEAVY WALL STAINLESS GAS TUBE WITH GAS REGULATOR

Just In! - We now have the heavy wall stainless gas tube with infinitely adjustable gas regulator. Only $59.95

Background on the designers

RKIs know Mack as the designer of the Browning 50 M2 changeout barrel system used by FN. Well Jim Sullivan is probably the most undersung designer of the century. He is probably the single most knowledgeable individual regarding the M16 design. Jim worked with Eugene Stoner for 18 years and was the engineer that scaled the AR10 (.308) down to the AR15 for Stoner and translating it into alloys and a design that lent itself to assembly line production. Jim was also the designer behind the Beta C-Mag system and in fact is the holder/owner of that design’s patent.

Jim, after leaving Eugene Stoner, worked as a consultant to Beretta and then FN in designing new weapons for then new 5.56 round. Afterwards, while working as a consultant for Charter Industries of Singapore, designed the UltraMax rifle in 5.56, which has been regarded as the finest 5.56 squad light automatic weapon.

As Charlie Cutshaw says in his article (see download file), if anybody else but Jim Sullivan or Mack Gwinn had made the claims about the Counterpoise kit, we would have been highly skeptical. I’ve tried it and it works. Controlability in full auto is incredible - Jim reported they fired a ten shot full auto string printing a 1.88" group. Mack indicated he emptied a full thirty round mag into a 5" circle at 100 yds full auto fire. Control gains are also experienced in semi-auto giving faster second shot target acquisition, but the full benefits are realized in full auto fire. Rate of fire is also reduced to approx 750 rpm. I’ve posted Charlie Cutshaw FAQ section he prepared for Mack Gwinn below. There is also a downloadable file of the article Charlie Cutshaw just submitted to Jane’s Defense. Check it out - it’s the best review we could have hoped to have written.

See Charlie Cutshaw's Article on the Counterpoise System.
Click Here

COUNTERPOISE FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

©Charles Q. Cutshaw 1999

1. What is Counterpoise?

Counterpoise is the first major improvement to the AR-15/M16 operating system since Gene Stoner and Jim Sullivan designed the rifle in the late 1950s. All other modifications over the years have been related to other components of the rifle, but none have made a fundamental improvement to the overall operating system. There have been buffer modifications and so-called "rate reducers," but these dealt with only one component, not the entire operating system. Counterpoise is a comprehensive system enhancement modification that includes a new buffer/rate reducer, new recoil spring, a moving counterweight that fits inside the bolt carrier and a "D" ring extractor reinforcement for improved extraction.

2. How does Counterpoise work?

Without going into great technical depth, Counterpoise essentially lengthens the primary recoil force (or "spike") by 100 times, thus reducing felt recoil by some 50 per cent in semiautomatic fire and by about 80 per cent in full automatic. The rebounding weights in the bolt carrier and buffer fragment the recoil "spike" and transmit most of it back into the rifle's body over the entire operating cycle. What recoil that remains is split into two components, delivered a half cycle apart. One is delivered at the instant of firing and the other as buffer impacts the rear wall of the recoil tube.

3. How will Counterpoise improve my shooting?

Counterpoise effectively cuts felt recoil in half in semiautomatic fire. The result is less muzzle rise, quicker recovery, reduced flinching, more rapid follow-up shots and enhanced accuracy. In full automatic fire, felt recoil is reduced by approximately 80 per cent. Muzzle rise is virtually eliminated and control of the weapon substantially enhanced. After a short familiarization period, experienced shooters have been able to fire uninterrupted full automatic 30 round bursts into a standard "E" type silhouette target at 50 meters and have every round remain in center of mass. The second effect of Counterpoise in full automatic fire is to reduce the cyclic rate to approximately 600 rounds per minute, which also enhances accuracy.

4. How difficult is Counterpoise to install?

Although Counterpoise is not difficult to install, some mechanical skill is required. This is because Counterpoise is a fundamental improvement to the AR-15's overall operating system, not simply a buffer replacement. Most rifles and carbines will require that the gas port be enlarged for the firearm to function with Counterpoise. If you are not comfortable with removing the gas block/sight assembly and then carefully using a drill to enlarge the gas port to the appropriate size, the gun should be taken to a gunsmith for modification. This job takes only minutes and costs very little. The remaining Counterpoise components can be installed by virtually anyone who can field strip his or her rifle, as no special tools or mechanical skills are required.

5. How does Counterpoise affect my rifle or carbine?

Counterpoise will improve the accuracy, reliability and overall functioning of any AR-15 - type firearm. This is because Counterpoise interjects more energy into the operating system and modifies the extractor. Therefore, all elements of the operating cycle are improved, especially feeding, chambering and extracting. Counterpoise virtually eliminates stoppages due to extractor failure. How Counterpoise improves accuracy is discussed in FAQ 3.

6. I have fired Counterpoise equipped rifles and they don't feel any different. Why is this?

Unless you fire a Counterpoise-equipped rifle or carbine alongside one that does not have Counterpoise installed, you probably will not notice much difference. In order to feel the physical difference in felt recoil, you MUST fire Counterpoise and non-Counterpoise rifles side by side. You should, however, notice an immediate improvement in the accuracy of your rifle and your ability to reacquire targets for follow-up shots as soon as you install Counterpoise.

7. Will Counterpoise fit all AR-15 type rifles?

Yes. Counterpoise will fit any standard AR-15 type or M16/M4/C7/C8 rifle or carbine produced by any manufacturer. Counterpoise will work in both semiautomatic and full automatic firearms, although the system effects are most pronounced in full-auto rifles.

8. Will Counterpoise damage my rifle or carbine?

No. Counterpoise will not damage any AR-15 type rifle or carbine, as it was designed and developed to actually enhance the operational reliability of these firearms. Counterpoise was designed by L. James Sullivan, one of the original designers of the AR-15, and it has been carefully engineered, developed and extensively tested to ensure that it will improve the overall functioning of all AR-15 type firearms.

9. Is Counterpoise sensitive to the type of ammunition I use?

No. Our tests and user feedback have revealed no Counterpoise ammunition sensitivities whatsoever. Counterpoise has been used in rifles and carbines firing all types of .223 Remington/5.56x45mm ammunition, ranging from 40 grain frangible to 75 grain match and there have been no reported stoppages.

10. There are a lot of rate reducers on the market that all cost about the same. Why is Counterpoise any better?

Rate reducers do nothing but reduce the rifle's cyclic rate of fire. They have little or no effect on reliability, felt recoil, or accuracy. Moreover, these "rate reducers" have no effect on the operation of semiautomatic firearms. Counterpoise not only reduces the cyclic rate, but also improves the functioning of both automatic and semiautomatic firearms.

11. If Counterpoise is so great, why hasn't the military adopted it?

In fact, the US Military is evaluating Counterpoise for special operations use and Counterpoise is already in use by competitive military marksmanship units in their match - grade AR-15 type rifles.

12. Counterpoise sounds great, but there must be some negative aspects to it. What are they?

Most people who install Counterpoise report that there are no negatives. The only possible "downside" is that installing Counterpoise requires enlarging the gas port of one's rifle, which requires a gunsmith to repair if for some remote reason the purchaser is dissatisfied with Counterpoise and wishes to remove it. Most people who have more than one AR-15 type rifle eventually install Counterpoise in all of them, which indicates the satisfaction of Counterpoise users.