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Just paid for mine. I'm going to try some different setups like amphibian. Stock spring with carbine buffer, Tubb 556 with carbine, Tubb with H2, Tubb with H3 and Tubb with RB5005. I will try and run 400rd through with stock spring/carbine and see if it runs with no jams like fullauto01 was able to and then change up. Hopefully, I will receive it this week.
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Originally Posted By amphibian: Went to the range and had several different people shoot it. At least 400 rounds today. Myself My wife One of my good friends that is a very proficient shooter his 14 yr old daughter 17 yr old boy 12 yr old boy There was only 1 FTE out of all those shooters today and it was with the 12 yr old boy who has only fired a gun a few times and he wasn't really shouldering the gun properly. All shooting was 100% suppressed with my 147Gr reloads. Out of all 3 below, I think the MEAN was the softest shooting of all of them. My friend that is a very proficient shooter and also a class 2 manufacturer also agreed. He also has plenty of trigger time on both platforms from his work. https://c3junkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MEAN-CMMG-MP5.jpg View Quote Thanks @amphibian for all of the input, online and offline. Good to hear you're happy with it. As a reminder for everyone, we generally do not recommend modifications. However, we recognize that not all modifications will affect the functionality of the Upper Receiver. Please contact us if you have any questions. It is important for everyone to understand how different systems affect one another in their firearm. For example, using an incorrect combination of buffer, buffer spring, buffer tube, and spacer can possibly cause damage to internal components. As shown in this thread, the Bearing Delay system can adapt to many different configurations and scenarios - reach out to us directly if you have questions - [email protected] We appreciate everyone's patience - we continue to ship units as quickly as possible. |
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Originally Posted By fullauto01: Shot my 11" upper yesterday-- I am very pleased thus far. Initial review in the AR-15>>Rimfire and Pistol Calibers forum here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/MEAN-Arms-11-bearing-delay-upper-initial-review/15-782051/ View Quote Originally Posted By fullauto01: I shot 147 grain factory and reloaded ammo in my 11" upper with zero failures last night. I updated my initial review thread on post #7 here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/MEAN-Arms-11-bearing-delay-upper-initial-review/15-782051/ @amphibian, I only had a little time and ammo to test, but I did run a full 30 round magazine for each ammo type (except the 124 grain), and in 147, in both suppressed and unsuppressed configurations. I also got a call from MEAN tonight-- sounds like they found a solution for your issues and my 124 grain NATO ejection issues, too. :) View Quote Originally Posted By fullauto01: MEAN Arms modified my BCG this week and I shot 115, 124 and 147 grain ammo in my 11" upper with zero failures today. I updated my initial review thread on post #21 here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/MEAN-Arms-11-bearing-delay-upper-initial-review/15-782051/ View Quote Thanks @fullauto01 - great to see the Upper performing so well. |
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Now when are you going to release other calibers. .357 sig, 40, 10mm, 45?
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Originally Posted By tawoodii: Heck with that! When are you going to offer just a bolt and barrel? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By tawoodii: Originally Posted By jrtatonka: Now when are you going to release other calibers. .357 sig, 40, 10mm, 45? Heck with that! When are you going to offer just a bolt and barrel? The CMMG RDB system doesn't have ejector spring issues in 45ACP and I would go with that for that caliber.....been out for a few years, runs great and smooth. For 357Sig/40SW/10mm I would go with a Macon Armory gas operated upper...been out longer than the CMMG RDB and proven gas system operation. Those calibers have enough gas volume for the gas operation to work. 45ACP does too but I personally think it gets fouled too fast for dedicated suppressed operation. 9mm has always been the hard one to get to be smooth in the AR platform with not enough gas to work with. Also MEAN only does the EndoMags in 9mm. I've been saying for sometime that we need 40rnd EndoMags. |
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Someday mine will ship
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I spoke with Tommy yesterday and he said that the 7.5" barrels are out for nitride and should be shipping next week.
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Originally Posted By amphibian: Also MEAN only does the EndoMags in 9mm. I've been saying for sometime that we need 40rnd EndoMags. View Quote I reached out to them on this issue as a fellow gamer. Tommy, the Sales Manager said, " We don't have enough demand to cover the cost of the mold and design. I think in the near future as 3D printing advances we will be able to make products like this in smaller volumes and priced at a point that people will purchase them." |
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I went down the Maxim road with my Stern SBR... might mess with it before winter sets in, but sort of leaning towards putting the old 11-ounce buffer back in. Gas to the face on a gun that runs 100% suppressed isn't fun. Seeing the threads on this upper, and how well my SBRed PTR 9CT ran, I'm intrigued. Two questions off the top of my head; one really is just clarification.
-My lower is a Milspec lower with Stern Glock adapter. Yank out the ejector and it is ready to run? We use Glocks at work, so sticking with the Glock adapter would be a huge benefit for me with it. -Ordering the upper, would it be possible to order a 7.5" barrel and get the 11" handguard? Or a 4.5" barrel and 7.5" handguard? I have a 6" Stern upper (well, swapped the receiver for a slick side), which has their 8" handguard that I usually run a Dead Air Odessa. Unsure if I want a barrel slightly longer than my duty gun's barrel or closer to my PTR (full-size MP5). Zero issue paying the difference to swap the parts. At the almost $1,500 range, an extra $115/110 really isn't that fun when the shorter upper will be tossed in the parts bin and never used. Mainly asking for the knowledge moving forward. I will likely play with the Maxim a little bit more to see if I can get the gas down. And after that, it's a big investment that I'm unsure I'd want to do when I have the PTR. Standard blowback worked, and I could always yank the Stern adapter and figure something else fun to shoot with the lower in a different caliber (kind of blah on the 5.7mm, but they seem interesting... and my Rugged Oculus is rated for it). Thanks for your time. |
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Thank you for the reply.
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Do you have to run any special buffer with these uppers?
If you use it on an AR-15 lower with endomags and H2 buffer. |
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Originally Posted By VIP3R: Do you have to run any special buffer with these uppers? If you use it on an AR-15 lower with endomags and H2 buffer. View Quote No special buffer is needed. We designed the Bearing Delay system to function with standard AR-15 buffers - the most common ones we used for testing are carbine and H2. As people have shown in this thread, you can use specialized buffers (e.g., a Kynshot hydraulic buffer) but definitely not necessary. There are 2 ways to tune the system to compensate for different ammo, adding a suppressor, etc. The first is swapping to a different Lifter, which adjusts the angle of the internal component that interfaces with the ball bearings. This changes dwell time, perceived recoil, and cyclic rate. Each upper comes with 2 Lifters. The second option is to change your buffer or buffer spring. If you have specific questions about your setup, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and someone from our engineering team can discuss options with you. |
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Originally Posted By esstac-: 7.5" arrived today. Put the H lifter in and dumped a mag of 158s through it on auto. Worked Tomorrow or Friday and also Saturday it will get a ton more through it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/72956/PXL_20231004_232528981-2978291.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/72956/PXL_20231005_003015676-2978293.jpg View Quote |
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Just got mine in, does everyone else's have the rear of the bolt out a bit too far to close the upper? Easy enough to pop the front pin to get it mounted like my honeybadger, but it has maybe 1/32nd of the bolt sticking out the back. I didn't see anything in the manual about that specifically.
so far, installed a trilug adapter, sico octane fits under hand guard, so win there. |
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Originally Posted By jt526: Just got mine in, does everyone else's have the rear of the bolt out a bit too far to close the upper? Easy enough to pop the front pin to get it mounted like my honeybadger, but it has maybe 1/32nd of the bolt sticking out the back. I didn't see anything in the manual about that specifically. View Quote |
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I took mine out to the SMG match last weekend and on the first stage I had a failure to eject again so I put it away and went back to the good old reliable open bolt Mini Uzi SMG.
Figured no point to continue to burn ammo on the MEAN if I am going to try modding the extractor a little more and will have to burn more ammo to test. |
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~8 mags of federal 115gr fmj over 2 sessions flawlessly using Endomags in semi. Very smooth, and one ragged hole.
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@jt526 Yes, my 11" MEAN Arms upper also extends into the rear extension tower by approximately 1/32" and I also have to remove both the pivot pin and take down pin in order to remove the bolt. I tried it on two different lowers and it was the same for both. I have put enough rounds down range with it that I am not concerned about it-- I just replaced the pins with FCD extended pins to make it easier to disassemble the halves as needed.
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Originally Posted By fullauto01: @jt526 Yes, my 11" MEAN Arms upper also extends into the rear extension tower by approximately 1/32" and I also have to remove both the pivot pin and take down pin in order to remove the bolt. I tried it on two different lowers and it was the same for both. I have put enough rounds down range with it that I am not concerned about it-- I just replaced the pins with FCD extended pins to make it easier to disassemble the halves as needed. View Quote I am really digging it though, so smooth. |
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Originally Posted By jt526: Yeah, that is kind of where I am at. Glad to know it isn't just mine. Works great, but have to pop pins on 3 Lowers I tried, three scrape shut if I force it, and three close/open normally, including a colt 6920 lower, kind of my reference lower. I might ask to have them look at it, as I need to chop the bolt for my lightning link and I fully expect that to rightly void the warranty so I want any issues addressed before i get the ass end of the bolt chopped off and go past the point of no return. I am really digging it though, so smooth. View Quote Smooth as the mp5? or slightly less smooth? |
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Went to the range today with my 7.5 inch upper. Frontier Armory is a local AR manufacturer in Las Vegas and I have 2 of their billet lowers a standard 223 and a Glock 9mm. Running full auto with a RDIAS. The sear dropped in with no mods needed in the 223 lower.
Believe my upper was in the second run so when asked about the extractor was told I am up to date. Using Endowmags it ran perfectly through 3 magazines with Blazer brass 115gr at 747 RPM with stock spring and buffer. Much less choppy than my Colt 9mm set up. Unfortunately, the Colt lower will not work with the Mean upper. I need to use a Beta mag in one class of the subgun matches I compete in. So I am trying the Glock lower. If it works I will swap the Colt tower on one of my Betas. The Glock lower required some mods to get the RDIAS to fit. I was not able to get the Glock set up to run Full auto. It ran fine semi so the sear timing may be a bit off and will need some additional work. Next experiment will be trying a POF FA trigger to improve the pull weight. Most tuned FA triggers won’t work in a blowback 9mm, so hopefully that is not he case with the Mean upper. So even if I can’t get the Glock set up to work it is still worth it to have the smoother running gun in the class of the subgun match that requires mag changes. Also shoot Steel Challenge matches in PCC class and the reduced recoil helps here too. So not being able to use the Colt lower was a disappointment but overall I am satisfied if not ecstatic. |
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Placed an order for a 7.5” upper from mean arms. Did not receive email confirmation of my order nor was my card charged. Was that yall’s experience too?
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Any change with your guy's Mean uppers? I saw @Amphibian was still having ejection issues with it, anyone else share his experience? I'm still on the fence for one of these and really just wish they would sell the bolt/barrel combo already.
Thomas |
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Originally Posted By tawoodii: Any change with your guy's Mean uppers? I saw @Amphibian was still having ejection issues with it, anyone else share his experience? I'm still on the fence for one of these and really just wish they would sell the bolt/barrel combo already. Thomas View Quote PM sent |
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Originally Posted By mikego_34: Placed an order for a 7.5” upper from mean arms. Did not receive email confirmation of my order nor was my card charged. Was that yall’s experience too? View Quote Looks like your initial order didn't go through but the next one did. Our customer service department has been in touch. Please let us know if you haven't been receiving those emails. Thanks! |
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Originally Posted By mikego_34: Placed an order for a 7.5” upper from mean arms. Did not receive email confirmation of my order nor was my card charged. Was that yall’s experience too? View Quote I ordered the 14.5” on monday, 11-6-23 and received an email confirmation. The charge posted on my card 11-7-23. Only thing that doesnt work is when I click on my order number on MEANS website, I get a 404 error. |
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Shot a match this morning with my 7.5 inch upper using Endomags. 1st run was perfect with no issues. Second run ran into a problem at a mag change. Was making a mandatory mag change and did not think I had run dry, no bolt hold open, so didn’t charge a new round with the fresh mag. My bad.
After making an adjustment on the RDIAS timing I tried my Glock lower again. Ran a 33 round mag with no issue. The ROF is much higher than the Endomags. Was running a stock spring with a H buffer. Now that I have it running will start experimenting with different spring buffer combinations and time it. Got a A5 buffer tube so will try it as well as the M lifter I just received. For me the sweet spot is 650 to 750 RPM and have that with the Endomags stock spring and H2 buffer. So should be able to get the Glock to run the same. |
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Black Friday 10% off everything is live - including the Bearing Delay upper
Use code INFLATIONSUCKS Link |
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Any indication of what spare parts will cost to perform the recommended maintenance schedule? I'm on the fence about purchasing an upper but the black friday sale me push me over the edge depending on spare parts cost. If spares are spendy, especially given the recommended replacement schedule, then that might kill it for me.
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Originally Posted By MEAN_Arms: Black Friday 10% off everything is live - including the Bearing Delay upper Use code INFLATIONSUCKS Link View Quote Dangit. Of course mine would be delivered after the 10% off code dropped |
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Shot my 7.5” mean arm upper today. Used my 147 grain reloads mainly. I load these with 3.8 grains of N340 - they usually run at about 960-980 fps out of my full size mp5.
This thing shot fantastically. High level summary of it vs my MP5 clone: Mean arms shot softer than MP5, sounds quieter than MP5 (tested with wolfman and gsl phoenix), but the mean arms does have a bit more muzzle flip than my MP5. I think the only reason it has more muzzle flip is that it’s significantly lighter than my full size MP5 clone. I also tested 115 grain remington and 150 grain syntech. All of these shot well and held bolt back on last shot. Im a happy customer! Only time will tell if its reliable, but the hype around recoil mitigation and having no port pop on 9mm AR is legit. Id like to try and run the M lifter or L if they have one out yet. |
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Originally Posted By muzzleloader: Any indication of what spare parts will cost to perform the recommended maintenance schedule? I'm on the fence about purchasing an upper but the black friday sale me push me over the edge depending on spare parts cost. If spares are spendy, especially given the recommended replacement schedule, then that might kill it for me. View Quote Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the question. The uppers include the MEAN Lifetime Warranty, which means that we'll always fix or replace the product. All maintenance for the Bearing Delay upper is free (including parts and labor) if the customer ships the upper to us. For customers who want to perform their own maintenance, the first PM Kit is shipped free for any Bearing Delay upper, at the customer's request. For the maintenance schedule, we feel it is very conservative and that in all but the rarest cases, customers will be able to go well beyond the intervals described in the manual for replacing parts. The only reason to install PM Kit 1 is if the customer experiences ejection problems. There is no risk of voiding the MEAN warranty if PM kits are not installed or replaced at the specified intervals. We provide those intervals for the worst-case scenarios so customers aren't surprised. We do encourage cleaning and lubing the upper and BCG regularly. |
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Originally Posted By mikego_34: Shot my 7.5” mean arm upper today. Used my 147 grain reloads mainly. I load these with 3.8 grains of N340 - they usually run at about 960-980 fps out of my full size mp5. This thing shot fantastically. High level summary of it vs my MP5 clone: Mean arms shot softer than MP5, sounds quieter than MP5 (tested with wolfman and gsl phoenix), but the mean arms does have a bit more muzzle flip than my MP5. I think the only reason it has more muzzle flip is that it’s significantly lighter than my full size MP5 clone. I also tested 115 grain remington and 150 grain syntech. All of these shot well and held bolt back on last shot. Im a happy customer! Only time will tell if its reliable, but the hype around recoil mitigation and having no port pop on 9mm AR is legit. Id like to try and run the M lifter or L if they have one out yet. View Quote Great to hear and thanks for posting! Reach out to us directly if you want other Lifters - most are in stock. |
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Got out to range to test out my 14.5” upper with the K lifter installed. Lower has a Tubbs flatwire spring and carbine buffer. Shot 120 round of Fiocchi 115 gr/1200 FPS and 23 rounds of Blazer Brass 147 gr/950 FPS according to the manufacturer.
They all shot flawlessly with strong ejection and locked back on an empty mag everytime. The 115 gr shot softer with less muzzle jump than the 147 gr. It was pretty noticeable which was why I didnt bother to shoot anymore 147 gr. Definitely want to try the M and P lifter since the chart in the manual has the 115gr/1200 FPS at that intersection. I love the polymer handguard. It appears to be a glass filled nylon and very closely matches the Gen 1 Magpul UBR, which is highly regarded and being an extremely robust stock. There is no flex to the handguard at all and feels great in the hands. Outside temp was in the low 20°, and it was a pleasure to hold them with my bare hands. MEAN Arms bearing delay 9mm upper receiver first shots MEAN Arms bearing delay 9mm upper receiver 115 gr vs 147 gr |
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Originally Posted By MEAN_Arms: Black Friday 10% off everything is live - including the Bearing Delay upper Use code INFLATIONSUCKS Link View Quote Man, right when I started to think I would get through Black Friday and Cyber Monday without any purchases this year, I had to find this post. |
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Originally Posted By MEAN_Arms: Black Friday 10% off everything is live - including the Bearing Delay upper Use code INFLATIONSUCKS Link View Quote |
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Got back to the range with the 7.5 inch upper and my New Frontier Armory Glock lower. I was correct in my previous post that using the Glock lower the gun ran at a higher ROF. Because I used a standard carbine buffer as opposed to the H2 I ran with the Endomags.
So I find with the stock buffer the gun runs at 880 RPM with Blazer brass 115gr. With the H2 i get an average of 675 RPM using 3 different 9MM 115 Gr ammo. Low was 660 high was 690. Blazer brass came in the middle at 675. So in the next match I will use the Glock mags and the Beta I converted to fit the Glock lower. I purchased an M lifter but was still adjusting the timing off my RDIAS so can't really say much. It felt a bit smoother but would need more testing. However, I got a call from Tom at Mean Arms and based on his info I likely will leave the M lifter for another day when I have nothing to do. LOL My one nit-pic with the system is the fluted chamber. Powder fouling builds up very quickly. Not sure why it is required but if I could change to a non-fluted chamber I would. For me this is a sports gun, subgun and steel matches, so if I have to clean after each match I am Okay with it. In contrast shooting in subgun matches with my blowback 9MM I had to clean once every 6 months or so. . |
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Originally Posted By tt350z: Another 200 rounds through it this weekend. This time with a Aero Precision EP9 Glock mag lower. It functioned perfectly with zero upper related issues. I was able to cause a misfeed if i rested the Glock mag on the bench and leaned forward, it changed the angle enough to cause a misfeed and was repeatable everytime. I did not run into any issues with using the mag as a monopod with the endomags. Also, skip the ETS Glock mags. The EPC9 lower does not have LRBHO. I destroyed one my first time on the last shot when the mag went dry. The mag/follower sits at a different position so the bolt was able to pick up the follower and shove it into the breech. When I stripped the mag out of the lower, the follower came out of the mag body. Half of the follower was still in the breech and did not allow the bolt to return to battery. The bolt goes over the top of the OEM Glock mag follower. View Quote Whoops! Good to know. They do run fine in my SUB-2000, but the 40 rounder won't feed reliably in my 26 - but neither will a Glock brand 33 rounder w/ 147 grn WWB HPs. I've noticed on the M&P ETS mags the follower is proud of the feed lips when empty. |
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Death to quislings.
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