Windham Weaponry was kind enough to send me one of their SRC rifles for T&E.
Aside from a couple of (admittedly) nit-picky things I think could be improved upon, I like the rifle. I like it a lot. Shoots well, accurate, eats any ammo I want to feed it, well balanced, excellent fit and finish, et cetera.
If you want something better than a DPMS, and not as expensive as a Noveske or YHM, this rifle may just fit the bill.
Enjoy the video.
-Rich out.
Hi Rich,
I wanted to thank you for the good review of our SRC rifle. But there were just a couple of things I wanted to comment on. I built both of the rifles we sent you for the test and test fired each one in the field before we sent them. The extraction issues you experienced with the first rifle is fairly common with steel cased ammo. In all my years at the previous company we used to keep some Wolf ammo around and it was always hit or miss as far as it functioning properly as it was so underpowered and dirty. This seems to be the case with a lot of steel cased ammo. It would function in some fine and in others it would not. Either it would short stroke or the cases would stick and not extract easily. For the customers that insisted that their gun work with Wolf we would usually had to open up the gas port a little. I have to say I was relieved to see in the video that the second test gun seemed to function fine with the steel cased ammo.
When you sent the first rifle back to us I tested it as received as you commented that the trigger got heavier and heavier. I tested the trigger pull cold with a trigger pull gauge and it averaged 7 lbs 10 oz. Then I fired 120 rounds through it as fast as I could (no malfunctions with Federal American Eagle). My second reading with the gun hot averaged 7 lbs 13 oz. Not a noticeable difference so I really think that you may have been experiencing some trigger finger fatigue. Unless there was some debris that was stuck in the trigger mechanism somewhere there should be no reason for the trigger pull to have gotten heavier as it got hotter. It just doesn’t get hot enough inside the trigger group to affect anything there.
The only other thing I have to comment on is the MSRP of over $1000. We list an MSRP on the website a bit high so these are available through dealers for less than that. Usually $750-$850
That said once again I want to thank you for the nice review and great video and contact me anytime in the future at ewinter@windhamweaponry.com if you need any assistance with any of our rifles.
-Erik Winter
Gunsmith
Windham Weaponry, Inc.
Folks, this is a perfect example of a company standing behind their product in a rational, non-confrontational way.
Erik,
On my trigger pull gauge (a Lyman digital), the first rifle averaged out at ~12 pounds or so. The second rifle averaged out at ~9 pounds. That said, have you seen my forearms? I shoot, on average, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10K rounds a month of varying calibers, through various firearms. Hand/grip/forearm/trigger finger fatigue isn’t something I typically have an issue with.
In regards to the price: When I do a review, price point is part of that review. The MSRP on the SRC is 1040 dollars, so I treat it like a 1040 dollar rifle for review. Of course, we all know that a great many retailers (myself included) will sell the rifle for less than MSRP, there will undoubtedly be some who choose not to. So, in my opinion, the price point is a valid point of discussion or review.
But, like I made clear in my review, I like the rifle.
@Erik Winter Folks, this is a perfect example of a company standing behind their product in a rational, non-confrontational way.
Erik, On my trigger pull gauge (a Lyman digital), the first rifle averaged out at ~12 pounds or so. The second rifle averaged out at ~9 pounds. That said, have you seen my forearms? I shoot, on average, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10K rounds a month of varying calibers, through various firearms. Hand/grip/forearm/trigger finger fatigue isn’t something I typically have an issue with.
In regards to the price: When I do a review, price point is part of that review. The MSRP on the SRC is 1040 dollars, so I treat it like a 1040 dollar rifle for review. Of course, we all know that a great many retailers (myself included) will sell the rifle for less than MSRP, there will undoubtedly be some who choose not to. So, in my opinion, the price point is a valid point of discussion or review. But, like I made clear in my review, I like the rifle.
@RichFromGunTortureTests
Thanks Rich. I too was using a Lyman digital but of course it can vary depending on the person using it. When different people in the shop use it they get slightly different readings depending on the exact way they are pulling it.
Anyway, thanks again for the good review and keep me posted if any issues arise.
Erik
really enjoyed the review own a windham just like the one you tested but mine has the American flag on the side. First of all love the gun second of all loved your review third of all its freaking awesome that a gunsmith from windham replied to your video it really shows me they care about their products. I would like to know if there is any chance windham may come out with their own line of tactical products such as quad rails, and foregrips, or maybe upgrades for the bolt carrier or barrel maybe.
@hurrytocuury
We’re working on it. We’re going to keep expanding the retail inventory and you will see lots of new stuff coming out. We are working with Diamondhead right now and they are making two styles of aluminum handguards for us. These are a different style than what they offer. One is a spit rail CAR length, the other is a free float that goes over the gas block. We are working on a specific barrel for that one that will have a shaved down gas block that will be taper pinned like a normal front sight base under the handguard.
@Erik Winter thats awesome i know diamondhead makes really quality products. question is the free float rail going to be designed to go over the gas block on the src which is what i have and if so will it also fit over the bayonet lug and the sling mount? also is this something i should expect to see in the next few months or within the year or later than that.? Because i was planning on getting a quad rail soon but i would rather support windham if i can.
@hurrytocuury
The freefloater wont go over the SRC rail. It would require a low profile gas block like a Sadlak block. We’re going to make a special barrel with a low pro gas block. We will probably offer a set screw version of this block at some point.
We just got these free float rails in and are now going through QC so it won’t be long.
FYI I moderate our forum at AR15.com and post news and updates there and answer questions. Here’s the link: http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_2/489_Windham_Weaponry.html
oh by the way i forgot. i really like the more beard less bull logo. as a bearded man i would love to see those on a shirt just wondering if you had those or if you have any products for sale?
@hurrytocuury I’m working on getting merchandise for sale. Believe me, when it happens, I’ll let you all know.
Rich,
I appreciate your Windham review. I have been shopping ar’s for a few months and have considered them. Love the story behind WW. I find the SRC priced in the $750-$775 range, a decent price for what it is. I’m looking at the Core15 as well, another original Bushmaster team member’s start-up. I think the Chief Engineer is a major player there. Stag is probably the other option. The Model 3 & Model 8 feel good.
Any thoughts, suggestions, jokes?
You touched on the maker’s mark on the Windham, this something I have wondered about. I see only 3 or 4 different marks on the rifles I find. This leads me to believe that, for the most part, most ar’s are assembled by the company which name it carries but the actual components are the same as other rifles. Yea, higher grade this and that are available but for rifles in a price/category aren’t they REALLY close?
And what are the marks that go with the various companies. You mentioned the keyhole was Cerro (?) and it was a “better maker.” What company has the square as their mark, what others should we look for.
What company, if any, selling ar’s makes makes its own uppers and lowers?
Thanks.
How did the Diamondhead sights hold up on the rifle?
Are they pretty accurate?
I’m asking because I just bought a Windham, and only have MBUS sights on them now.
Don’t think plastic on a gas block is too smart, though the guys who sold rifle to me
said they would be ok.
[...] do your homework, I have decided to wait on this one, as I have another one in my sights ! guntorturetests.com/2012/02/23/review windham src click here I am not endorsing any of these outlets they are just for example pricing purposes : [...]