CategoriesGun Reviews Post By admin

Radian Weapons Model 1 Review with Kit Badger

If you’re interested in AR-style rifles, you’ve probably heard of Radian Weapons (and if you hadn’t, you have now). Radian is known for producing good-quality firearms with fantastic attention to detail and their Radian Model 1 proves they’re delivering as promised. In this video review, Ivan of Kit Badger runs through a hands-on review of this rifle. 

Ivan of Kit Badger covers the general features and performance of the Radian Model 1 rifle so you get an idea of what to expect if you’re considering adding one to your gun collection.

What are the Features of the Radian Model 1?

The rifle Ivan reviews in this video is the Model 1 with a 17.5-inch barrel. Radian markets it as their intermediate-length rifle but it would also be accurate to refer to it as carbine-length since it’s under 18-inches. The rifle is chambered in the popular 5.56 NATO round and has an eye-catching flat dark earth finish. Ivan describes some of his favorite features at some length:

“There is a QD endplate with a stainless steel insert, so it [won’t get] chewed up or come out like some of the aluminum ones. …of course, the castle nut is properly staked, which is a good thing. [It has] super clean billet lines going forward and…you get into their proprietary handguard. The barrel nut is incredibly strong; [it is a] really strong, rigid handguard, which is good…especially if you end up mounting stuff like lasers to it.”

Check out the video below to find out what else Ivan liked about the Radian Model 1 and how it performed on the range:

 

Specifications

  • Designed & manufactured in the USA
  • Upper receiver, lower receiver, and handguard Cerakoted together for perfect color match
  • Weight: 6.0 – 8.0 lbs depending on configuration

Upper Receiver Specifications

  • Sub-MOA Accuracy guarantee w/ Black Hills Match Grade ammunition
  • Billet machined 7075-T6 upper receiver w/ M4 feed ramps
  • Proprietary extended aluminum handguard w/ Magpul M-LOK Modular Mounting System and integrated upper/handguard stainless steel anti-rotation pin
  • Match Grade 416R stainless steel barrel w/ polished crown and feed ramps, chambered in .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO or 300 BLK, threaded ½ x 28 (.223) or 5/8 x 24 (300 BLK)
  • Enhanced Black Nitride M16 bolt carrier group
  • Lightweight forward assist
  • Radian Raptor-SD Suppressor-Optimized ambidextrous charging handle
  • Direct impingement gas system
  • 9” 300 BLK: pistol-gength
  • 10.5” 5.56: carbine-length
  • 14.5” & 16″ 5.56: mid-length
  • 17.5” 5.56: intermediate-length
  • SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider/Suppressor Mount or Dead Air Flash Hider/Muzzle Brake

Lower Receiver Specifications

  • Billet machined 7075-T6 lower receiver w/ integral trigger guard and flared magazine well
  • A-DAC Ambidextrous Dual-Action Control right side bolt hold open feature
  • Ambidextrous right & left side magazine and bolt release buttons
  • Radian Talon Modular Ambidextrous 45°/90° safety selector
  • Radian Vertex trigger
  • 6-Position Milspec receiver extension w/ QD end plate and an H2 carbine buffer
  • Magpul pistol grip and collapsible stock (SBA3 Brace for Model 1 Pistol Variants), USGI 30 Round Magazine
Radian Model 1
Getting up close and personal is the best way to review rifles. (Photo credit: Kit Badger)

What’s the Bottom Line?

Overall, the Radian Model 1 17.5-inch in 5.56 NATO looks like a well-made, reliable rifle that’s capable of fantastic accuracy. It’s always nice to see such precise machining and attention to detail on a gun, and who doesn’t love sub-MOA?

Do you have a Radian Weapons rifle? Do you want one? Tell us about it in the comments below.