Sabre Defence

[Bad Dog]

I'm not able to find too much information about Saber Defence AR-15s, and I have read that they are going out of business. I'm getting a A Sabre Defence, Model XR-15 today and I'd really appreciate some honest feedback, especially from owners.

[hurley842002]

I don't have any experience with Sabre, but i've heard nothing but good things about them. It's unfortunate about them allegedly going out of business. I know they are rated up there with Colt, BCM, LMT etc. on "the list", so if that means anything to you. Bottom line, I think you have yourself a good AR.

[ChrisC]

I have a Sabre Defence Competition Extreme upper and it easily shoots under 1MOA at 100 yards and it is probably capable of better accuracy but I am not . I have had zero issues and it will everything from MK262 MOD1 type ammo to M193 and M855. Does this very well

[Byte Stryke]

I'm not able to find too much information about Saber Defence AR-15s, and I have read that they are going out of business. I'm getting a A Sabre Defence, Model XR-15 today and I'd really appreciate some honest feedback, especially from owners.

I have only heard good things about their products.

I would warn that with most "ownership transitions" I would not expect any warranty to transfer.
just a word to the wise as it were.

[gcrookston]

I was their neighbor for the last 3 years and an occasional vendor to them.

They were founded in the early 80's to make replacement parts, including barrels and complete assemblies, for the M2 .50 cal. (no one had been doing it since 1945 and the parts were drying up).

The original owners sold out and retired in the mid 90's (their children still manufacture most of the weapons mounting systems for Humvees and helicopters through a different company).

It's now owned by a British Group. They manufacture M4 Carbines and M2 barrels and sub assemblies and have contracts with both the US and world wide. Their quality is first rate.

Last spring one of their employees got busted selling full auto M4's out the backdoor. This lead to a deeper investigation and all hell has broken loose with a couple of dozen charges and indictments of several of their officers for firearms export violations, money laundering, wire fraud and other naughty things.

Depending on who you listen to it was either documentation oversight or criminal conspiracy, but it hasn't come to trial yet and no one has been convicted.

On the down side they shut down in December and filed chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. They are trying to find a lender that will allow them to operate as debtor-in-possession until all this legal trouble is resolved and their contracts are restored. My sources say this isn't likely to happen as the evidence that's been leaked on the criminal charges is damning. More than likely they will have to find a buyer who's willing to purchase the company and dismiss it's officers.

[waxthis]

I was their neighbor for the last 3 years and an occasional vendor to them.

They were founded in the early 80's to make replacement parts, including barrels and complete assemblies, for the M2 .50 cal. (no one had been doing it since 1945 and the parts were drying up).

The original owners sold out and retired in the mid 90's (their children still manufacture most of the weapons mounting systems for Humvees and helicopters through a different company).

It's now owned by a British Group. They manufacture M4 Carbines and M2 barrels and sub assemblies and have contracts with both the US and world wide. Their quality is first rate.

Last spring one of their employees got busted selling full auto M4's out the backdoor. This lead to a deeper investigation and all hell has broken loose with a couple of dozen charges and indictments of several of their officers for firearms export violations, money laundering, wire fraud and other naughty things.

Depending on who you listen to it was either documentation oversight or criminal conspiracy, but it hasn't come to trial yet and no one has been convicted.

On the down side they shut down in December and filed chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. They are trying to find a lender that will allow them to operate as debtor-in-possession until all this legal trouble is resolved and their contracts are restored. My sources say this isn't likely to happen as the evidence that's been leaked on the criminal charges is damning. More than likely they will have to find a buyer who's willing to purchase the company and dismiss it's officers.

Whoa......what a shame if its so............

[gcrookston]

Whoa......what a shame if its so............

'Tis True... http://www.bankruptcyhome.com/bankru...1-bankruptcy--


I've had the pleasure of shooting a number of Their AR platforms and they are all top notch. I was particularly impressed with their piston driven rifle, even though I'm generally not a fan of that design. US civilian sales is just a small portion of their business and they rely heavily on military contracts both here and abroad.

[Bad Dog]

Thanks for all of the information. I'm off to meet the seller soon, and unlike other deals I don't know what to expect this time. I'm an AR-15 newbie so I'm really going into this deal with a huge disadvantage. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best...Thanks Ya'll.

[gcrookston]

Thanks for all of the information. I'm off to meet the seller soon, and unlike other deals I don't know what to expect this time. I'm an AR-15 newbie so I'm really going into this deal with a huge disadvantage. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best...Thanks Ya'll.

I would expect you'll encounter a top-notch item of the finest quality if it has been maintained as it left the factory. You may also have a negotiating point you can use to your advantage -- "dark cloud effect". That is, a pall hanging over this company infecting the broad spectrum of it's former product line as no future customer service will be available, replacement parts non-existent, etc., etc. Were I you, I'd try to see what kind of discount I could get, anticipating a flood of New items to enter the market shortly through a liquidation of the company...

[Busta Prima]

Wow. I came very close to buying a Sabre a couple of weeks ago. Their stuff looks nice.

I'm now looking at PWS. They're a small company in Idaho but the few reviews I've read are stellar and their prices aren't that bad. I bet when they're discovered they'll be priced like LWRC.

LMT is another good one. They're priced between PWS and LWRC and make excellent ARs as well.

PWS doesn't have a large dealer network yet but I believe this guy just signed up as a dealer but you'll still have to order. Nobody that I know of in Colorado is stocking them.