Savage Arms Launching MSRs for 2017

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Savage Arms has announced it is planning to launch four new Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) in 2017.

Back in mid-December of 2016, Savage Arms shook up the firearms industry when it released a short teaser video giving shooters a brief first look at the new Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) the company was planning on launching for 2017. This represented a first for Savage, as the company has never been in the MSR game before, and people were (and are) understandably excited.

Now, with the 2017 SHOT Show less than two weeks away, the manufacturer has gone wide with the announcement, releasing more details and specifications on the new rifles.

First and foremost, the new line of Savage MSRs will consist of four rifles – two AR-15 platform rifles chambered in .223 Wylde and two AR-10 platform rifles chambered in either .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor. The manufacturer is planning to officially launch all of these at the SHOT Show this year.

The two AR-15s are the MSR 15 Patrol and the MSR 15 Recon. The Patrol model represents an entry-level AR that's a step up from other ARs in this category, while the Recon is a further upgrade, coming with even more additional features.

The two AR-10 models are the MSR 10 Hunter and the MSR 10 Long Range. The Hunter, as its name suggests, is built as a compact sporting platform that can serve well in big-game hunting, or simply as a quality .308 Win. or 6.5 Creedmoor AR for target shooting. The MSR 10 Long Range, on the other hand, represents the peak of Savage's new MSR line, coming with a host of high performance features such as a fluted heavy barrel, a free-float M-LOK rail forend and – one of the more unique items – a non-reciprocating left-side charging handle, which should excite a lot of shooters.

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All of the new rifles incorporate 4140 steel barrels with a Melonite QPQ coating and 5R rifling, and their receivers are all forged from 7075-T6 aluminum. The receivers on the MSR 15 Patrol are standard forged, whereas those on the others are custom forged. Most of the new Savage Arms MSRs feature the new Blackhawk Knoxx Axiom AR pistol grip and Blackhawk adjustable Knoxx Axiom Carbine stock (with models above the Patrol getting the padded version). The exception to this is the MSR 10 Long Range, which features the Magpul PRS Gen3 stock instead.

The MSR 15 Patrol comes with a standard Mil-Spec trigger, whereas the rest of the line comes equipped with various Blackhawk AR Blaze triggers, with the Long Range models getting the enhanced AR Blaze Two-Stage trigger for improved accuracy. I haven't personally experienced the Two-Stage trigger; however, I did get to shoot the standard AR Blaze SSD (Single Stage Duty) trigger during a Blackhawk event in Montana this past summer, and there is a noticeable improvement over Mil-Spec. The Blaze trigger is designed with a boron-rich surface that prevents wear, requires no lubrication and comes with a “duty” spring set to mirror the pull weight on Mil-Spec guns, as well as a “target” spring set.

The forend featured on the Patrol rifle is a Blackhawk mid-length handguard, while the other models sport a Savage aluminum hexagonal free-floated forend with M-LOK attachment points. The Patrol has a custom A-Frame gas block, and the Recon has a low-profile fixed gas block. The AR-10 models all feature an adjustable gas block. The MSR 15 models sport Blackhawk BUIS (the Patrol has a combination A-Frame gas block/front sight). The MSR 10 Hunter and Long Range have no sights, coming optic ready.

Pricing on these new MSRs from Savage Arms starts with an MSRP of $852 on the MSR 15 Patrol and go up to $2,284 on the MSR 10 Long Range. For more information on these new rifles, check out the full specifications below and visit the Savage Arms website. Also, be sure to check out the gallery above for some great first images of the new Savage MSRs.

Specifications:

Savage Arms MSR 15 Patrol
Type: Semi-auto, direct-impingement gas
Caliber: .223 Wylde (.223 Rem./5.56 NATO)
Barrel: 16-1/8 in. 4140 steel, Melonite QPQ, 5R rifling
Overall Length: 32.5-35.75 in.
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Muzzle Device: A2 flash hider
Gas Block: Custom A-Frame
Trigger: Mil-Spec
Receivers: Forged 7075-T6 aluminum
Stock: Blackhawk Adjustable Knoxx Axiom Carbine Stock
Grip: Blackhawk Knoxx Axiom AR pistol grip
Charging Handle: Mil-Spec
Handguard: Blackhawk mid-length
Sights: Blackhawk BUIS/A-Frame gas block
Capacity: 30 rounds
Price: $852
Manufacturer: Savage Arms

Savage Arms MSR 15 Recon
Type: Semi-auto, direct-impingement gas
Caliber: .223 Wylde (.223 Rem./5.56 NATO)
Barrel: 16-1/8 in. 4140 steel, Melonite QPQ, 5R rifling
Overall Length: 33.5-36.75 in.
Weight: 7.0 lbs.
Muzzle Device: A2 flash hider
Gas Block: Low-profile fixed
Trigger: Blackhawk AR Blaze
Receivers: Custom forged 7075-T6 aluminum
Stock: Blackhawk Adjustable Knoxx Axiom Carbine Stock with pad
Grip: Blackhawk Knoxx Axiom AR pistol grip
Charging Handle: Mil-Spec
Handguard: Savage aluminum hexagonal free-floated, with M-LOK
Sights: Blackhawk BUIS
Capacity: 30 rounds
Price: $999
Manufacturer: Savage Arms

Savage Arms MSR 10 Hunter
Type: Semi-auto, direct-impingement gas
Caliber: .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor
Barrel: 16-1/8 in. 4140 steel, fluted, Melonite QPQ, 5R rifling (18 in. in 6.5 Creedmoor)
Overall Length: 35-39 in. (.308 Win.); 37-41 in. (6.5 Creedmoor)
Weight: 7.8 lbs. (.308 Win.); 8 lbs. (6.5 Creedmoor)
Muzzle Device: Savage muzzle brake
Gas Block: Adjustable
Trigger: Blackhawk AR Blaze
Receivers: Custom forged 7075-T6 aluminum
Stock: Blackhawk Adjustable Knoxx Axiom Carbine Stock with pad
Grip: Blackhawk Knoxx Axiom AR pistol grip
Charging Handle: Savage rear
Handguard: Savage aluminum hexagonal free-floated, with M-LOK
Sights: None
Capacity: 20 rounds
Price: $1,481
Manufacturer: Savage Arms

Savage Arms MSR 10 Long Range
Type: Semi-auto, direct-impingement gas
Caliber: .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor
Barrel: 20 in. 4140 steel, fluted, Melonite QPQ, 5R rifling (22 in. in 6.5 Creedmoor)
Overall Length: 41-5/8 in. (.308 Win.); 43-5/8 in. (6.5 Creedmoor), adjustable extended length
Weight: 9.75 lbs. (.308 Win.); 10 lbs. (6.5 Creedmoor)
Muzzle Device: Savage muzzle brake
Gas Block: Adjustable
Trigger: Blackhawk AR Blaze Two-Stage
Receivers: Custom forged 7075-T6 aluminum
Stock: Magpul PRS Gen3
Grip: Blackhawk Knoxx Axiom AR pistol grip
Handguard: Savage aluminum hexagonal free-floated, with M-LOK
Sights: None
Capacity: 10 rounds
Price: $2,284
Manufacturer: Savage Arms