Review: WMD Guns Ultimate AR-15 Chassis
Major Pandemic 09.23.14
To say that I am a fan of WMD guns and their finishes is an understatement. After purchasing a Barnes Precision Machine (BPM) WMD coated AR-15, WMB NiB-X coating my Browning A5, and even testing a prototype WMD Beast rifle, I have been very impressed. The NiB-X coating is super slick and durable. In the case of my Browning it was a transformative upgrade from durability, looks, and cycling. In the case of my BPM AR-15 and this recently introduced WMD Ultimate AR-15 Chassis, they are the slickest cycling AR-15 rifles I own.
At Shot Show 2014, WMD introduced the rather brilliant concept of the WMD Ultimate Chassis, and I am thrilled to be one of the first to build a rifle based on their completely NiB-X coated chassis.
WMD is one of the preeminent coating companies across many industries, but more recently their finishes have really been sought after in the firearms industry due to their corrosion resistance and performance. Their finishes include the Nitromet barrel treatments and NiB-X coatings.
The WMD Guns NiB-X finish is roughly similar to NP3 or Nickel-Boron (Ni-Bo) finishes, but WMD’s proprietary Nickel-Boron finish adds a huge amount of lubricity and ups the durability, as well. Their Nitromet finish is similar to meloniting, but offers a higher tolerance finish, more durability, up to 30% more barrel life, and potentially increased accuracy because it does not change tolerances like chrome lining.
About the WMD Ultimate Chassis
After their success in the firearms industry, WMD decided to offer complete 5.56 Nato and 300 Blackout AR-15 chassis that only require the user to bolt on furniture for completion–a full complete AR-15 minus the owner-supplied buttstock, forend, grip, and flash hider/brake. The company is offering them in both “raw” grey NiB-X and NiB-X + Black Ceramic top coated versions, and they’re selling them to dealers, distributors, and direct to consumers. WMD named the chassis “The Ultimate,” indicating that they can continue performing even in the most adverse environments due to nearly every part being coated with their proprietary coatings, including the trigger.
Buyers will end up with a premium grade, totally weather- and corrosion-resistant AR-15 with a choice of either the natural silver/grey NiB-X finish or the Blackout version, which adds a Black Ceramic topcoat on top of the NiB-X grey finish.
For the home builder, the new chassis delivers a platform that requires very little skill to customize. WMD now has an updated “The Beast” version, as well, which has a billet receiver and is available as a complete rifle with all the furniture, handguard, and brake installed.
The chassis is packed with all premium components complete with their own NiB-X, Ceramic, and Nitromet coatings. I wanted to work up a unique build using one of their WMD Ultimate Chassis to show just how easy it is to make your own custom gun. I picked one up direct from WMD, transferred it my FFL dealer, and began planning out something unique all dressed in grey.
I have long been a fan of Mission First Tactical, so it made sense to use their newly released grey Minimalist buttstock and Engage grip, which look outstanding with the raw grey color of the NiB-x treated Ultimate Chassis. The MFT Minimalist stock is comfortable and cuts weight compared to tradition buttstocks.
Next up, I had to find a cool handguard, and ALG Defense had the perfect option with their new 8.06oz 13″ Ergonomic Modular Rail in gray. Look for a review just on this handguard because it is an awesome, super stable handguard for only $115-$155 depending on color. It includes bolt on rails, an extended high strength barrel nut, and a barrel nut wrench. I tipped the barrel with a PWS Brake, which I love the looks and performance of. Sadly it was not available in brushed stainless, but it still looks great.
