Foxtrot Mike (FM) Products got its start like many gun makers by building firearm components before branching out into offering its own complete guns. The company states its three core pillars as “extreme quality-to-cost ratio, dedication to blue collar consumers and relentless pursuit of innovation.” All three are demonstrated in the company's new-for-2024 Ranch Rifle.
The Ranch Rifle combines features of the AR-15 in a more conventional format.
The FM Products Ranch Rifle acknowledges two realities in the firearm world. First, not every gun owner lives in an area where they can legally own the typical modern sporting rifle (MSR). Second, while some owners want modern features, they prefer them in a more traditional-looking package. The Ranch Rifle answers both of these needs in a firearm the company says is “exceeding mil-spec standards for the modern outdoorsman, hunter and backpacker.”
The Ranch Rifle uses a proprietary lower receiver and fire control group but accepts AR-15-type magazines.
The Ranch Rifle is a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle with a .223 Wylde chamber for shooting both .223 Rem. and 5.56 NATO ammunition. Using a rotating bolt, the action is operated by a direct impingement gas system. The two-piece receiver system is machined from aluminum alloy and given a Type III hard anodized finish. A Picatinny rail on the top of the upper receiver allows for mounting optics or iron sights. The magazine release and bolt release lever are positioned similarly to those on the AR-15. The safety is a simple cross bolt above the trigger that is reversible for right or left-handed shooters, and the charging handle is positioned forward on the handguard and is reversible to either side. Patent-pending fire control components are proprietary.
The safety on the Ranch Rifle is a crossbolt above the trigger guard.
The Ranch Rifle comes with a 16" match-grade barrel with a Melonite finish and either a mid-length or intermediate-length gas system. Barrels can be had with a threaded muzzle, a permanently attached compliant muzzle brake or an non-threaded and crowned muzzle. Using FM Product’s proprietary direct-impingement recoil system allows for the Ranch rifle to use a conventional buttstock. Stocks are compatible with the Remington 870. The basic rifle comes equipped with a Magpul SGA buttstock with other options, including wood, are available. On the front end, the 15” aluminum handguard is free-floating with a Picatinny rail section on the top and M-Lok slots on the sides.
With parts compatibility with both the Remington 870 and the AR-15, the possibilities for customization with the Ranch Rifle are nearly endless.
As with many FM Products offerings, the rifle can be purchased complete, or the lower receiver only, giving the customer wide latitude for their own customization. The lower is compatible with Brownells BRN-180 and FM’s bufferless Mike-15 Gen 2 upper receivers. The basic FM Products Ranch Rifle with SGA stock has an MSRP of $999, while a complete lower receiver without a stock has an MSRP of $299. For more information, visit fm-products.com.
