We don’t just make rifles. We make a Weapons System. Let me explain the Mitchell Defense Difference.
What’s up all. So valid question put out about why buy this? We don’t just assemble a bunch of parts and call it a Mitchell Defense Rifle. Accuracy, durability, and reliability is the foundation of these rifles. We do things a bit differently. On the last independent endurance test they got to 17,554 rounds without cleaning or lube before the first failure happened. on most rifles sub MOA is guaranteed. With the right ammo and shooter, we have seen better than 1/2 MOA accuracy. Check out our YouTube for full auto test and other torture tests for durability.
Thermal fit barrel
We have to heat our upper receivers up to expand the metal to be able to seat the barrel. When the metal cools it locks the barrel in place and makes the barrel nearly impossible to remove without reheating the upper. This increases accuracy and durability of the rifle. There is a great video of this on our YouTube.
Precision billet upper
This gives a great home for the BCG but more importantly we have an extremely flat barrel seat. What this does in conjunction with the thermal fit, is puts the barrel perfectly in line with the BCG and buffer system to increase the reliability of all moving internal parts. Also, it creates even pressure around the bolt for increased accuracy and durability. Just like a bolt rifle.
BCG
Arguably the most important part of the rifle. A few things that aren’t unique to us but still uncommon are the use of optimized carrier key screws (OCKS) and we stake and seal the gas key. This just makes the gas key much more durable and reduces gas leakage.
Now to the parts that are unique.
- We precision grind the skids to make them perfectly flat and even. This gives them a near frictionless surface and seats evenly inside the upper that is sized exactly for this BCG.
- To further enhance the reliability of the rifle we use a coating called ArmorLube. It’s a type of advanced DLC like coating. It was developed with the army research center over the last 10 years. As of November 2022 it was written as the new milspec coating for the M4 BCG. In the latest taper linear abrasion testing it lasted 97,692 wear cycles. As a comparison the next closest coating was nitride and it lasted 28,625 wear cycles. On top of being extremely durable it has less than .1 friction coefficient. It’s very difficult for dirt or debris to attach to it and creates less heat in the internals from friction. Its corrosion resistance is also better than all of them as well.
- The next high wear item on the BCG are the gas rings. We coat them in SP4 to keep building on the reduction of friction. Friction equals heat and heat creates wear. Our gas rings last 3-4 times longer than standard gas rings.
- We also use the rubber gasket for the extractor to aid in more reliability in extraction.
Buffer system
It’s all about the spring technology here. Our buffer system is proprietary and most of that is what we do to our springs. We use flat wire technology and then amp it up with metal treatments. Flat wire springs aren’t unique in the industry but what we do to ours gives it about 30% more forward pressure and lasts more than 200,000 compression cycles est before losing it springiness. Regular springs start to wear out around 6000 cycles. It also reduces felt recoil and with it all being inline, the rifle shoots extremely flat, so you stay on target between shots and gives you more accurate and precise follow up shots. The buffer tube also has a lip on it to prevent backing out but mostly assists the BCG in feeding into the tube and prevents carrier tilt.
Lower receiver
It is also precision billet and features a right-side bolt release with a free float pin. One issue that people have with complicated bolt release and catch designs is they jam when they get very dirty. When they jam since they are all connected, they don’t work and will either not catch the BCG or will be stuck with it open. Either way it’s not good. With ours if it gets stuck when dirty the original catch will continue to work. Also, the mag well is flared for faster reloads.
E series Cerakote
We love talking about coating as you can tell. The rifles are coated in E series Cerakote (most companies only use H series) which is their highest rated coating for durability and corrosion resistance. More importantly though it has the lowest friction coefficient of any of its coatings. So, between the precision ground BCG, armor lube coating, and E series cerakote there is almost no friction inside the upper receiver.
Strategic partnerships
Some parts other companies have perfected so we just used theirs. These are Geissele SSA triggers (not G2S like other companies). Mitchell Defense marked ambi Radian raptor charging handles. Radian ambi safety selectors. B5 system stock and grip. Ballistic advantage precision barrels.
Conclusion
So, all that comes together to make a weapon system that is more accurate, durable, and reliable. Are you still not convinced of the Mitchell Defense Difference? No worries just come find us at an event near you to shoot the rifles. It is something that is noticeably different when you shoot it.
