A unique military-grade optic like the ACOG deserves a unique military-grade firearm. The 7.4-pound Caracal CAR816 is far from yet another rifle or yet another rifle brand. Most customers and dealers would be surprised to learn that Caracal is a globally recognized small-arms manufacturer with a production legacy of over 15 years in designing, engineering, manufacturing, and assembling high-precision, battlefield-proven firearms. Caracal is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and is a part of the large EDGE Group’s Missiles & Weapon cluster. Caracal has many subsidiaries, including a separate U.S. subsidiary and exclusive producer of Caracal firearms in Nampa, Idaho.
The 7075 forged receivers have a clean, updated mil-spec style with upgrades beyond mil-spec class controls, including enhanced Hiperfire EDT Sharpshooter trigger, Strike industries bolt catch and charging handle, ambi selector, powered tungsten buffer, Lancer magazine, and stakeless PWS end plate with integrated QD mount. The CAR816 A2 barrel is a 1:7 twist chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO made from 4150 CMV and QPQ coated tipped with a standard A2 flash hider and 1/2x28 threading. The low mass BCG is also QPQ coated with a Carpenter 158 bolt housed in an anti-tilt carrier. The Magpul STR Carbine Stock is the perfect fit for the overall CAR816 design.
The short-stroke pushrod gas piston design is controlled by a three-position gas valve and delivered an extremely clean- and cool-running gun even after our 1,000 rounds of testing. Disassembly is simple for field cleaning with low maintenance interval requirements. The gas system is optimized for suppressed, standard and adverse settings. Based on my testing, all of these settings are tuned for reliability, and I had no issues with function even with the very broad selection of ammunition used. All Caracal USA products are proudly manufactured in the US in Nampa, Idaho, with lifetime warranties. As expected, the CAR816 rifle ran flawlessly throughout the 1000-rounds shot during testing suppressed and unsuppressed using a variety of MFT, Magpul and Lancer magazines. A special thanks to Hornady, Winchester and Federal for providing all ammunition used in the test and Mission First Tactical for supplying extra Extreme Duty Magazines for testing.
With the Trijicon ACOG 1.5x16S mounted, the CAR816 is the perfect battle rifle, delivering fast handling, accuracy and reliability you would expect from the pedigree of these two brands. The workmanship and quality of the Caracal is impressive. At 7.4 pounds, the CAR816 is one of the lightest short-stroke piston rifles on the market, even with a free-float handguard, and with the small form factor ACOG, it still is under 8 pounds with optic and an empty magazine. For dealers who want a high quality and more advanced version of the HK416 and Sig 516, the CAR816 offers high availability with U.S.-based production.
