by Mike Searson
Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Rifle Review
United States -(AmmoLand.com)- The AR platform has been kicking around for 50 years and just like anything else, when you think it has peaked and it’s time to move on to the next rifle, someone comes along and breathes new life into it.
This is what we saw with the Cobalt Kinetics BAMF. This rifle is precision machined from 7075 aircraft grade billet aluminum to extremely close tolerances (hence the name Billet Aluminum Modern Firearm) and has a number of features you won’t see anywhere else.
No, we are not talking about another new rail system, but yes, they offer M-Lok. The other creature features are there like the extended mag release, a 45 degree safety selector, ambidextrous controls and a mid-length gas system.
And no, they did not simply offer a new camo pattern or color, although the variety of colors they do offer is staggering and yes, they will make your rifle any color you want, even black.
Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Rifle The Good
This is not your father or grandfather’s AR, and it only bears a passing resemblance in function over the M-16 used to slog through the rice paddies of Southeast Asia half a century ago. The Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Rifle has a unique look that conjures up images of The Transformers, Voltron, Shogun Warriors, Manga and Anime, yet would still look right at home on the set of The Expendables 4.
We noticed what appeared to be dual forward assists on the upper receiver. Back when Jesus was hanging doors, the author was one of the first Roman Legionnaires, um I mean US Marines, who was issued an M16A2 service rifle, a key feature being the forward assist.
We will save the rest of our thoughts on that old school innovation for another article, but we asked Cobalt, “why in the name of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, do you need two of those things?”
“It’s not what it seems,” came the answer with a flashy grin.
They turned out to be the company’s take on a revolutionary new bolt drop and it’s ambidextrous. While still grasping the pistol grip, keeping your rifle on target, etc. you can release the bolt with the thumb of your shooting hand.
As a shooter it is sub MOA all day. All controls are completely ambidextrous and the rifle is a solid shooter.
The BAMF is built in St. George, Utah and just about every piece except butt stocks, grips and trigger group are made in-house.
Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Rifle The Bad
Well, we will get this out of the way now. The MSRP is $2595 on what is considered a bare bones entry level carbine from the company.
The other downside is that this is but the first step of an evolutionary process. Yes, there are bigger and better offerings coming from Cobalt that you will soon read about here. So if you shell out some serious coin for the base model, the bigger and better stuff down the line may give you a touch of buyer’s remorse.
Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Rifle The Reality
We did not have the luxury of playing with the BAMF for a week or two. We like to bond with a firearm for a little while before we run it through its paces on the range. How does it carry? What’s the balance like? Is it rough around the edges?
Instead we were treated to a good couple of hours of trigger time in the desert. We were impressed with the weight, accuracy and the performance of the Double D (Dual Drop system). We just wish we would have had a lot more trigger time. We are really curious to see a few thousand rounds go through one and maybe the pacing of a multi day carbine class (that’s where you really find out how good your rifle is).
As for the rest, most of us know the alternate meaning of BAMF, and maybe you may think you haven’t seen it with this rifle, but it’s coming with our next review on the Cobalt Kinetics EVOLVE Rifle.
Cobalt Kinetics BAMF Rifle Product Description:
- Caliber: 223 Wylde
- Barrel Length: 16″ Standard Profile Chrome Lined
- Other options available
- Hand Guard:
- Precision Machined 7075 Billet-Aluminum
- Free Floating
- M-lok
- Grip:
- Hogue Over molded Grip
- Butt-Stock:
- Hogue Collapsible Stock
- Gas System
- Mid-Length
- Adjustable Low-Profile Bloc
Check Out Cobalt Kinetics Online:
- Cobalt Kinetics Website: www.cobaltkinetics.com
- Cobalt Kinetics Facebook : www.facebook.com/cobaltkinetics27
- Cobalt Kinetics Twitter : twitter.com/CobaltKinetics
- Cobalt Kinetics Youtube : www.youtube.com/channel/UCnfdfCI6AjIIITzWk3Bp6Ow
About Mike Searson:
Mike Searson’s career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.
Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
- Home page: www.mikesearson.com
- FB: www.facebook.com/mike.searson
- TWITTER: www.twitter.com/mikesearson
Who is the model?
Dont care for the tat’s either.. Just like
Foxworthy says, “ladies that canary on your shoulder will turn into a BUZZARD when you get OLDER”
Still a better looking rifle than anything coming out from that hack, Jesse James.
I like to talk about women with guns minus the tattoos 😉 lmao
I dislike tattoos on my women as well but each to their own I guess. lol my wife is tattoo free just the way I like female skin =P
Yeah, that’s what I like to do too… talk about tattoos on women instead of guns. Obviously you have Sam’s in your vagina, you should probably get that checked out.
So sad to see pretty women defile themselves with tattoos.