The Revolution is designed to be both lightweight and MOA accurate. I admit to having been a bit skeptical on both counts, but happily I was wrong. My initial handling of the Revolution confirmed it is in fact as light as a typical AR-15, weighing in at 7.3 pounds. Duly impressed, I then immediately began to wonder what recoil would be like, as I have been beaten up by more than a few heavier semi-auto rifles firing 7.62NATO/.308 Win. rounds. The first of three trips to the range demonstrated my concern was unfounded. Firing for initial zero at 50 yards from prone, upon unleashing my first round I momentarily did a double-take, stopping briefly to wonder if I had had a squib. I didn’t. The recoil was simply that soft, helped in large part by the very effective three-port muzzle brake. Most excellent. Pressing on, I did however have a few failures to feed and extract using 149-gr. Privi Partisan ball ammo. I also had similar problems with Federal 147-gr. ball, even after changing mags. This was odd considering that the Revolution uses POF’s E2 extraction system. I have no explanation for it, other than the gun was brand new, and the issue seemed to resolve itself as the round count increased to over 200-plus rounds. Accuracy meanwhile was very good, with a few mods.
I started testing using a Trijicon 1-8x AccuPower in a BOBRO 34mm quick-release mount, which is a fine scope/mount combo for this type of platform. If I were running and gunning, or using the Revolution as a DMR, this would be a solid choice. But it wasn’t the best choice to test optimal intrinsic accuracy, nor was the MFT Battlelink stock that came with the rifle. I thus replaced the scope with my Trijicon 4-16×50 AccuPower in a Larue mount, and put on a Vltor E-MOD stock that offered a better cheek weld. After that, things got better. Using a bipod from prone, my top group covered 0.9 inches center to center at 100 yards using Federal 168-gr. HPBT Gold Medal Match. Average groups from five different types of ammo measured 1.5 to 2.5 inches, with the best four usually inside an inch, and the heavier rounds preferred. Accuracy testing complete, I put the original stock and scope back on to try some close-range movement and transition drills normally reserved for a standard AR-15 carbine. The Revolution handled virtually as fast and certainly as accurately as a 5.56mm carbine. Not many other rifles firing full power cartridges at this weight can make that claim.
For anyone looking for one rifle that can cover multiple missions, the Revolution could fit the bill. It is as lightweight as an AR-15 while retaining the same ergonomics, excellent accuracy, and controllability one expects from a 5.56, but who need a full-caliber rifle. Beyond power and versatility, it’s essentially a custom rifle in virtually every respect. Quality doesn’t come cheap however, and with an MSRP north of $2700 it will give some pause, depending on your mission and the depth of your wallet. For my part, this is a rifle I’m seriously considering keeping. It’s that good. For more information, contact Patriot Ordnance Factory, Dept, OT; Tel.: (877) 561-9572); Web: www.pof-usa.com
