NRA Gun Of The Week: Davidson's Radical Firearms RAD RF-15 RDR

The Radical Firearms RAD-15 comes from Davidson’s as an exclusive offering you can only get at the company's Gallery of Guns. The RAD-15 is an enhanced AR-15 loaded with premium components at a price that’s hard to beat. Watch the above video to see this exclusive firearms with American Rifleman staff on the NRA Tech Range.

Davidson’s has been in the firearm industry for decades, having expanded from its early roots in the automotive industry. From 1980 until today, the company has established itself as one of the preeminent firearm distributors in the nation. Because of this, Davidson’s can work with manufacturers to craft unique models of guns you can’t find anywhere else. This Radical Firearms RAD-15 is one of those unique offerings. It comes with a forged 7075 aluminum receiver set and outfitted with a 16” barrel chambered for 5.56 NATO. You'll expect to get an A2 flash hider and a mid-length gas system, too. Surrounding the barrel is one of the stand-out features on this Davidson’s Exclusive RAD-15. The 15” RDR free-float handguard is a feature you won’t find from Radical Firearms, and this fore-end offers plenty of real estate for optics and accessories.

That’s not the only upgrade found on the Radical RAD-15, though. In terms of furniture, the company stepped up with several upgrades from B5 Systems. The rifle is outfitted with a B5 Bravo stock, a lighter, stronger and more compact design that’s based on B5’s adjustable stock. There is also a B5 Type 23 pistol grip, which provides a more vertical angle compared to the standard A2 grip, ensuring proper alignment with the trigger. In addition the Radical Firearms RAD-15 includes an upgrade in the form of its ambidextrous safety selector, which moves 90 degrees from Safe to Fire. Otherwise, standard controls are available in the form of a single-sided magazine-release button and a bolt catch located on the left side of the lower receiver. A traditional charging handle is also included.

On the range, we found that the RAD-15 performed admirably for an entry-level AR, particularly considering its numerous included upgrades. One component that is mil-standard is the trigger, which is serviceable, but luckily, there are plenty of aftermarket upgrades out there. We could feel the benefit of the mid-length gas system on the range, as the rifle shot smoothly, and there wasn’t any excess gas coming out from behind the charging handle, a typical sign of an overgassed rifle. For those in the market for an AR, this Davidson’s Exclusive RAD-15 is a great option that’s priced well, giving you plenty of room in your budget for accessories, optics and upgrades.

Specifications
Distributor: GalleryofGuns.com
Action Type: direct-gas-impingement-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire rifle
Chambering: 5.56 NATO
Receivers: forged 7075 aluminum, anodized finish
Barrel:16"
Buttstock: B5 six-position adjustable
Grip: B5 Type 23
Handguard: 15” RDR
Magazine: 30-round capacity
Sights: none; Picatinny rail
Overall Length: 36"
Weight: 8 lbs.
MSRP: $710