Review: WMD Guns Ultimate AR-15 Chassis
Major Pandemic 09.23.14
The final touch of the build was to mount up the new Vortex Optics Strikefire II and matching VMX-3T magnifier. This combo delivers the popular red dot plus magnifier features for around $400 total, and it performs well with high quality optics Vortex has become known for.
Assembly was easy and really pretty fast. Because the chassis is already built, screwing on the MFT grip and slipping on a Milspec sized MFT buttstock took under five minutes. I did use a Geissele Action Rod to secure the upper while attaching the barrel nut with the included ALG barrel nut wrench. The gas block was reinstalled along with the ALG handguard and PWS brake. The entire process took well under 30 minutes, after which I was scampering off to the photo shoot and then to the range.
Fit, Finish, Feel, and Functions
The fit of the chassis is excellent, and the finish is flawless across the entire chassis. Once assembled, the Ultimate Chassis feels, handles, and looks just like any Mil-Spec standard AR-15, but the coatings really slick things up. Add a corrosion/weather-proof finish, and in the case of the Nitromet barrel, the finish can even extend life and increase heat dissipation.
The chassis is not just a low budget AR-15 with a fancy coating. The WMD Ultimate Chassis is loaded with impressive features:
- Fully coated (Nickel Boron) NiB-X 7075 receivers and AR-15 chassis inside and out
- Premium high polish NiB-X (Nickel Boron) coated bolt carrier group
- NiB-x coated Charging Handle
- Case hardened, shot peened and magnetic particle inspected Carpenter 158 bolt w/Mil-
- Spec gas rings
- NiB-x coated trigger/fire-control group, for smooth operation
- Match-grade 1:7 barrel, with Nitromet coating and NiB-X coated exterior for durability and effective heat dissipation
- NiB-X coated Low-Profile .750” gas block with Nitromet SS gas tube
- Carbine-length gas system
- Black versions are topcoated with black ceramic for the “black rifle look”,
WMD claims that the 16″ 4150 Chrome Molybdenum Vanadium barrel with Nitromet coated bore lasts 30% longer, and all rifles are available in 300 Blackout or 5.56 Nato.
The rifle hand cycles smoother, the stock trigger with NiB-X is also smoother, and even the buffer feels like it is sliding up and down the tube on bearings. If I have to classify this gun in one word, it would be “smooth.”
WMD is definitely paying attention to the details and is building these chassis right. All the little usual details were looked after to deliver a tight, solid build. Just as with the prototype I tested previously, this build delivered excellent accuracy with many 100-yard groups well under the 1″ mark, using Hornady and Winchester match rounds and with a Burris 4.5-14 scope installed.
Sure, the look is cool, but it is the performance that really makes this chassis stand out for potential customizing builders. You end up with a well made AR-15 that delivers both reliability and accuracy.
Last year, I tested a naked upper and lower receiver set on an AR-15 build by shooting nasty corrosive 5.45×39 surplus ammo that’s known for pitting and in some cases removing chrome and anodizing from rifles. After well over 4,000 rounds, I had zero issues, so I feel confident in saying that if you have surface corrosion problems with this rifle, then you were probably dissolved in the process.
The NiB-X treatment is awesome, especially when it comes to cleaning this rifle. In most cases I can just wipe the bolt carrier group clean with a cloth and wipe out the inside of the receivers. I have had zero issues with the BCG carboning up even after over 2,000 rounds. Really tough gunk was cleaned up with just Dawn dishwashing soap and water. If you want an extremely low maintenance rifle, then this is as good as it gets.
Final Thoughts
I am sold on the coatings WMD is delivering. They are more consistent than cerakote and other glorified paints, do not dimensionally change the part, and deliver superior finish, lubricity, and durability to many other finishes I have tested. Expect more builds and firearms to feature their coatings.
I am always looking out for new and creative ideas in the firearms market, and WMD seems to have a stunningly brilliant idea in offering the Ultimate chassis. After all, why not let the customers add their own furniture? This Ultimate Chassis also delivers a great option for those who do not want to venture too far into the build-from-scratch waters. All you really need is a hex wrench set and something to install the barrel nut.
The MFT furniture looks and works great, and I am sold on the new ALG Defense Handguards considering they are crazy reasonably priced. The Vortex Strikefire II and Magnifier was an awesome setup for the price tag. From a build perspective, I could not be happier with how the build turned out, and I am loving the greyed out look–perhaps grey is the new black.
