Now that Kino Davis has opened up shop at Designated Hitter (click for background on Kino and Designated Hitter), you will start seeing a number of interesting items rolling out. Kino is well known as the originator of the Kino Configuration and a proponent of the “Dissipator” concept.
The Kino configuration consists of a 12.5″ barrel with carbine length gas system and a false FSB/gas block in the mid-length position to allow the use of longer mid-length hand guards and longer sight radius provided by the FSB. It is essentially a shortened Dissipator so it makes good sense that Kino would start building his own full size Dissipators or what he likes to call, the Kino XL.
For those who may not know, Dissipator uppers usually feature 16″ barrel with a low profile gas block in the carbine or mid-length position and a false FSB/gas block in the rifle length gas position to allow the use of longer rifle length hand guards and longer sight radius provided by the FSB. It is a great way to configure an upper but it can be hard to find Dissipators that aren’t junk.
The new Kino XL uppers will feature a hammer forged, chrome lined barrel with a 1:7 twist. The barrel will have a custom profile that looks like a government profile barrel but is slightly lighter. The user will be able to spec various options like a Vltor MUR or standard forged upper, muzzle device, and hand guards. These uppers will be hand built by Kino himself and features details like a set screw that threads into the FSB to prevent the hand guard cap from spinning.
These uppers and others including true Kino Uppers will be available soon at Designated Hitter.
This is great news – thanks for posting and I look forward to a Kino XL!
I’ve never heard of a dissapator build being done this way. After reading your article i spoke with a friend who only knew of them being built this way.i have always heard of a dissapator being built with a longer gas system to facilitate a softer shooting and cycling gun. Wouldn’t it be better to have the benefits of the longer has system as well as more real estate on the fore end.
This has been the industry standard way of creating a dissipator or really a mock dissipator for years. There are reliability issues with using the rifle length gas system on 16″ barrels due in large part to lack of dwell time. The gas part must be opened up in order for the rifle length gas system to operate reliably on a shorter barrel, especially in cold weather.