The market for cheap AR-15 rifles can be a minefield. For every solid rifle, there are a dozen that cut the wrong corners. Radical Firearms is a name that pops up constantly in this space. Based in Stafford, Texas, they’ve made a name for themselves by offering complete, feature-rich ARs at prices that make you do a double-take. Years ago, they had some quality control issues that earned them a bit of a reputation, but they seem to have worked through those early growing pains. Today, you’ll find their rifles, like the FR-16 SOCOM (some people call it RF-15 or FR-15), all over the place, often for under $500.
The question is, at that price, are you getting a reliable tool or just a range toy? A cheap AR is only a good deal if it actually works. We decided to take a closer look at this Radical Firearms AR-15 to see if it holds up and where it fits in the market of entry level rifles.
First Impressions
Right out of the box, the FR-16 SOCOM feels surprisingly solid. There’s nothing particularly revolutionary about it, but that’s not a bad thing. The fit between the forged 7075 T6 upper and lower receivers is surprisingly tight, with no discernible rattle or play.
The model we’re looking at (FR16-5.56SOC-15RPR) comes equipped with B5 Systems furniture – the Bravo stock and Type 23 P-Grip. This is a significant upgrade over the standard A2 grip and mil-spec M4 stock you find on many cheap AR15 rifles. The Bravo stock offers a broad, repeatable cheek weld that is stable, with nearly zero wobble thanks to internal tensioners. The non-slip buttpad helps maintain fast, consistent shouldering and prevent slippage. The B5 grip is contoured for a more vertical, more natural hand position.
The standout feature is the 15-inch RPR (Radical Parallelogram Rail) flee float handguard. As you can see, Radical has removed extra metal to make it a super lightweight. Plus, it gave this cool futuristic look. The RPR offers full M-LOK compatibility on the sides and bottom for easy accessory attachment. On the top, there’s a full-length Picatinny rail ready for your red dot or LPVO. The handguard has 1.8″ inside diameter and fits suppressors, and the ventilated design helps with heat dissipation during long shooting sessions. Despite being slim, the handguard is sturdy and comfortable to grip.
The overall finish is a standard Type III anodizing, and while it’s perfectly functional, it might not be as pristine as what you’d find on a higher-end rifle. Minor blemishes aren’t uncommon, but they’re purely cosmetic.
Specs and Features
Radical equips the FR-16 SOCOM with a 16-inch barrel manufactured from 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, treated with a Melonite finish for enhanced corrosion resistance and barrel life. It features a SOCOM profile, which is a bit heavier than a government profile, aiding in heat dissipation during sustained fire.
The gas system is mid-length, which is widely considered the sweet spot for a 16-inch barrel. It gives a smoother recoil and is generally more reliable than a carbine-length system. The .750 low-profile gas block is properly pinned.
The internals are mostly mil-spec. You get a standard charging handle, a mil-spec fire control group, and a mil-spec buffer system. The BCG is also a standard M16 profile carrier, properly staked, and seems well-made for what it is. To round it all off, the muzzle device is a classic A2 flash hider.
RADICAL FIREARMS 5.56 NATO Rifle with 15" RPR
$449.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Barrel length: 16"
- Capacity: 30rd
- Twist rate: 1:7
- Gas system: Mid-length
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Barrel Material: 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium
- Barrel Finish: Melonite
- Barrel Profile: SOCOM
- Barrel Thread Pitch: 1/2×28
- Chamber: 5.56mm
- Twist Rate: 1:7
- Barrel Extension: M4 Feed Ramps
- Gas System: Mid Length
- Gas Block Type: .750 Low Profile Gas Block
- Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider
- Upper Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6
- Upper Receiver Style: M4 MIL-STD
- Upper Receiver Finish: Type III Anodizing
- Forward Assist: MIL-STD
- Dust Cover: MIL-STD
- Handguard Type: Free Float
- Handguard Style: M-Lok Thin Rail
- Handguard Length: 15″
- Charging Handle: MIL-STD
- Lower Receiver: Forged 7075 T6
- Lower Receiver Finish: Type III Anodizing
- Fire Control Group: Semi-Automatic MIL-STD
- Grip: B5 Type 23 Pistol Grip
- Buffer Tube: Carbine MIL-STD
- Stock Adjustment: 6 Postion
- Stock: B5 BRAVO
- Magazine: 5.56mm 30 Round
Range Time
On the range, the Radical FR-16 performs surprisingly well. Thanks to the mid-length gas system, recoil feels more like a gentle push than a sharp snap, making rapid follow-up shots achievable even for newer shooters.
Heat management is solid. The SOCOM barrel paired with the RPR handguard cools down fairly quickly during casual shooting. Even when it heats up during rapid fire, the barrel still manages to hold its accuracy.
Accuracy is about what you’d expect from a budget AR with a decent barrel. With a good LPVO, hitting 10-inch steel gongs at 100 yards is no problem at all.
We put this Radical Firearms AR-15 through its paces with over 1,000 rounds of various ammo. With budget 55gr rounds like American Eagle and PMC, you’re looking at reliable 2-2.5 MOA performance, which is perfectly acceptable for a fighting rifle. Winchester green tips performed the worst, but it’s still within the width of a hand at 100 yards. Higher quality 62gr loads like Hornady Black were 2.5-3 MOA on average.
PMC X-Tac 5.56mm 62gr Green Tip FMJ 20/Box
$23.24
Price accurate at time of writing
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Bullet: 62gr LAP
- Muzzle velocity: 3100 fps
- Muzzle energy: 1323 ft/lbs
- Rounds per box: 20
Over several hundred rounds, the rifle cycled reliably, with only a couple of failures to eject early on when using Winchester ammo. After the break-in period, it ran everything else without issue. We didn’t test it with steel-cased ammo, but other users have mentioned that some rifles can have issues with it from time to time.
WINCHESTER 5.56mm 55gr FMJ 1000/Box
$542.08
Price accurate at time of writing
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Bullet: 55gr FMJ
- Muzzle velocity: 3270 fps
- Muzzle energy: 1306 ft/lbs
- Rounds per box: 1000
The mil-spec trigger is gritty and heavy, just like any other standard AR trigger, but it’s functional. You can shoot decent groups with it, but upgrading the trigger would be one of the first things to consider if you’re looking to improve precision.
The standard A2 flash hider works fine, but it’s an obvious upgrade opportunity. The 1/2×28 threads are compatible with any standard muzzle device.
Worthy Upgrades
While the FR-16 SOCOM functions well in stock configuration, several upgrades transform it from capable to exceptional. The mil-spec trigger benefits from replacement with something like a Geissele SSA or LaRue MBT-2S. The difference in precision and reset feel is immediately apparent.
GEISSELE AUTOMATICS SSA X Trigger with Lightning Bow
$287.03
Price accurate at time of writing
- 2 Stage trigger
- Semi-curved, wide-body profile
- Nanoweapon coating on the major components
- Lightning bow
- Mil-spec pin size
- Not adjustable
A quality charging handle upgrade, such as the Radian Raptor, improves manipulation under stress and provides ambidextrous operation. The stock mil-spec handle works but feels crude compared to modern alternatives.
RADIAN Raptor 5.56 Black Charging Handle
$94.61
Price accurate at time of writing
- Made from aircraft grade 7075 aluminum and milspec anodized
- Tested at over one million cycles without failure
- Ambidextrous
- Made in the USA
As for the optic, whether you choose a simple red dot like the Aimpoint PRO or Romeo 5 Gen 2 or step up to an LPVO, quality glass unlocks the rifle’s accuracy potential. The full-length Picatinny rail accommodates everything from lightweight micro dots to substantial precision optics.
SIG SAUER Romeo5 Gen II 2MOA Red Dot + Juliet3-Micro 3X22mm Magnifier Combo Kit
$265.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Precise 2 MOA Dot
- 1.41 Sight-Height for Absolute Cowitness
- 90 Degree Push-Button Flip-to-Side Magnifier Mount
- Top Mount Illumination Control Featuring 10 Daytime and 2 NV Settings
- 40,000 hr runtime with CR2032 and MOTAC
- Dependable IPX-7 Waterproof and Fog-Proof Performance
For those planning on using a suppressor, the generous handguard length and diameter provide clearance for most cans.
RADICAL FIREARMS 5.56 NATO Rifle with 15" RPR
$449.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Barrel length: 16"
- Capacity: 30rd
- Twist rate: 1:7
- Gas system: Mid-length
The Bottom Line
So, is the Radical Firearms FR-16 SOCOM a good buy? For the price, absolutely. It’s a solid, entry-level AR-15 that comes with some worthy upgrades right out of the box, like the B5 furniture and the free-float M-LOK rail.
It’s not a Daniel Defense or a BCM, and it’s not trying to be. The finish isn’t perfect, and the trigger is just a standard mil-spec affair. But for someone looking for their first AR, a backup rifle, or a “beater” truck gun, the value is hard to beat. You get a functional, reliable, reasonably accurate firearm that you can shoot right away or use as a base for future upgrades. If you’re on a tight budget, the Radical Firearms FR-16 is one of the better options out there and is definitely worth considering.
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