Tag Archives | Walker Defense

Walker Defense Research Releases Silicon Carbide Inlaid M-LOK® Rail Covers

Mesa, Arizona – November 15, 2021 – Walker Defense Research, LLC (http://walkerdr.com/), announces the immediate availability of their patent-pending, NILETM Rail Covers. What used to be limited to custom handgun frames, NILE rail covers offer the unrivaled gripping texture of silicon carbide for your M-LOK handguard rail. Beyond the aggressive grip offered by silicon carbide, NILE covers are engineered to resist heat transfer while still being ultra-lightweight and minimalist in profile, adding virtually zero bulk to your handguard. As is the case with all firearms components and accessories manufactured by Walker Defense Research, from the M-LOK T-nuts down to the screws and silicon carbide itself – NILE rail covers are 100% made in America, with pride.

“Our NILE rail covers offer the shooter an unparalleled gripping surface and excellent thermal resistance in a slim, ultra-lightweight profile. Silicon carbide is inlaid, by hand, into each rail cover to provide an aggressive gripping surface. The textured area is slightly recessed into the cover itself to lower the chance of unintended snagging on nearby items such as clothing, yet once the shooter’s hand engages the rail covers, they experience a very secure grip. This allows us to keep an extremely thin profile, so we avoid adding any bulk to the rail.” said Drew Walker, owner of Walker Defense Research.

The name NILE stands for (N)on-slip (I)n(l)aid (E)lement, and the rail covers are currently available in three sizes (1, 2, and 3 M-LOK slots lengths) and are slim enough to be used on a 7-sided M-LOK handguard rail. As for being minimalist and light weight, the rail covers themselves, without screws and T-nuts, weigh in at between 2 to 9 grams depending on their length. Each size is available in 3 or 4-pack quantities, but because each shooter utilizes their rail space differently, a custom combination option is offered allowing shooters to select exactly quantities of each desired length at www.walkerdr.com/nile.

Walker Defense Research Releases Exotic .30 Caliber Muzzle Brake

Mesa, Arizona – May 28, 2021 – Walker Defense Research, LLC (https://www.walkerdr.com), announces the immediate availability of the NERO® 762 Muzzle Brake. Now that it has entered full production, it is the world’s first commercially produced .30 caliber 3D-printed Inconel muzzle brake. The NERO 762 works differently than any traditional muzzle brake design; it angles a jet of the propellant gas against an inclined wall below the bore to create an extremely efficient counter-recoil force.  The NERO 762 is optimized to eliminate muzzle rise of the 7.62×51 NATO on the AR-10 platform while keeping concussion moderate, but it is also well-suited for other 30 caliber rounds ranging from 300 BLK to 300 Winchester Magnum provided the rifle has 5/8×24 threads.

“Our focus was to leverage fluid dynamics and engineer the NERO 762 specifically for the recoil impulse of the 7.62x51mm round. We wanted to substantially reduce felt recoil, but we wanted to eliminate muzzle rise expressly. Visually the NERO 762 looks nothing like most muzzle brakes and is impossible to manufacture with traditional machining,”, said Drew Walker, owner of Walker Defense Research.

Walker Defense Research uses a highly advanced form of additive manufacturing called Direct Metal Laser Sintering, or DMLS for short (a highly advanced form of 3D printing), to manufacture the NERO 762’s from Inconel, a superalloy more commonly found in aerospace that is ideal for materials subject to high heat and pressure. The NERO 762 is Ionbond DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated and threaded for easy installation on any 7.62mm barrel with 5/8×24 threads. MSRP for the NERO 762 is $229. It is available immediately through Walker Defense Research and OpticsPlanet.com.

About Walker Defense Research

The core mission of Walker Defense Research is direct innovation in small arms technology. We define the bleeding edge of tactical product development using the most exotic manufacturing methods and materials available to date. This technology allows Walker Defense Research to supply the utmost quality, capability, and performance for military, law enforcement, competitive and casual shooters.

Contact Information: Walker Defense Research LLC Drew Walker 602.680.3310 / info@walkerdefenseresearch.com / walkerdr.com

Walker Defense Research Teases NERO 762 and 9

Walker Defense Research, the maker of the NERO 556, is now teasing new 7.62 and 9mm versions of the muzzle device. The NERO is noteworthy for its thoroughly modern approach to design and manufacturing, leveraging fluid modeling in design and 3D printed Inconel construction, as well as its performance.

The new NERO 762 and NERO 9 are not yet available to purchase but their product pages are active on the Walker Defense Research website. These are not just scaled versions of the original NERO 556. They are modeled and built specifically for each caliber.

WalkerDR.com

Review: Walker Defense Research NERO 556

I have said before that I turn down far more review items than I take on. Something has to really grab my interest in order for me to consider sinking the time and ammo (money) into testing… especially when it comes to muzzle devices. Walker Defense Research’s NERO 556 definitely grabbed my interest with its computer modeled and very unique shape, modern manufacturing methods, and exotic materials.

Overview

The NERO 556 is what Walker Defense Research refers to as a hybrid muzzle brake/compensator. It has a very unique shape that is the result of “ground up” design based on computer-modeled physics. It is made from Inconel, an alloy that is extremely heat and corrosion resistant.

The complex internal shapes and material selection required a different approach to manufacturing so the NERO 556 is direct metal laser sintered which is essentially 3D printing with metal.

The NERO 556 is finished with a black PVD coating that actually renders a sort of matte grey finish. It is 2.6″ long, pre-drilled for pinning to a 14.5″ barrel, includes a crush washer (I mounted mine with shims) and is threaded 1/2×28.

Observations from Use

In my log book, I have just over 600 rounds recorded on this brake but I know the actual number is higher from a few other people giving it a try (something I find helpful in brake reviews). It was mounted on an upper built with a Sionics 16″ medium contour, mid-length barrel. I learned a fair amount in that time and this, like many brakes, feels like it does need to be learned.

Walker Defense states that their goal was “to create the ideal compensating muzzle brake by starting from a blank canvas. Our goal was to completely transform the recoil impulse of the AR-15 into a simple, soft rearward push with zero muzzle climb.” In my experience with typical cylindrical muzzle brakes, there is only so much that can be done to balance how the escaping gases are vectored in order to control the muzzle so I was hoping that the unique shape of the NERO 556 would give it an edge. I would say that it definitely works but there is still that subjective element found with many brakes.

I found that when I initially shot the NERO 556, the muzzle was driven down below my point of aim. There is probably an argument to made that is better than allow the muzzle to rise above the point of aim but, to my way of thinking, recovering from below point of aim is still taking time to recover. However (and this is a big however), I did find that I was able to mitigate this effect as I spent more time with the brake and a friend who tried it said it was one of the most neutral brakes he has ever tried. This is why I like to get feedback from others for muzzle device reviews. Individual grip, stance, and skill level can play a part in the performance of any muzzle device.

I still find that it drives the muzzle down a bit but with some additional time behind the brake, it does seem that I am adjusting. One thing is for sure, the NERO 556 effectively eliminates muzzle rise. The bottom line is that there is no such thing as a magical muzzle device. You are going to have to put in the time with this brake just as you would any other. If you do not already have a grip and stance that works to provide fast followup shots, this isn’t going to fix that. If you do, the NERO 556 will enhance what you are already doing.

Regarding concussion and noise levels… It’s still a brake/comp. The design does not beat you up as much as something with large side ports but I still perceive it as louder/more concussive than something like a pronged flash suppressor when I am shooting and when I’m near someone shooting it. When you are redirecting combustion gases as effectively as the NERO 556 does, this is to be expected.

I should also say that I have really come to appreciate the idea of the NERO 556 which, even as I type this, sounds strange. The performance is actually quite good but I also just really appreciate the way this device pushes the envelope. It looks different. It is made in a different way from differing materials. However, those differences have a purpose behind them. This is a bold project and I like that about it.

Wrap Up

The NERO 556 is function over form. It is ultra modern in concept, execution, design, and materials. It is ambitious.

It effectively mitigates muzzle climb though some may find that it depresses the muzzle. As with any muzzle device, it is up to you to hone yourself until you are leveraging it fully. It is loud though not as bone-rattling as brakes with large side ports.

WalkerDefense.com

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes