Chimera .223

[bladeracer]

After trying the Buckmaster 12-gauge, which I loved, I had a look and discovered they do a .223 rifle along the same system. This appeals to me far more than any of the lever-release systems.

https://australiansportingagencies.com/celik-arms-chimera-push-button-rifle-223rem-18-black-synthetic-pistol-collapsible-rrp-1599/
https://youtu.be/KSD0zuAsPPI

Bastion got back to me last night to let me know they are finally expecting them to be on the market and in dealer hands by January 10th.

Eureka also just posted an update this morning on the Stockade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jymy0264gGY&t=1s

[stihl88]

The Buckmaster button release independent 10 round mag does it for me! I've been calling for something in this config for some time.

The Chimera, "ki-meer-uh".223 reminds me of the Remington 7615 but with the button release. $1599 price on the .223 is good.

Great in theory but it seems like they've tried to re-invent the AR in terms of function and encountered all the known problems in the process. They've then started chasing their tail to resolve those issues when instead they could have just mirrored the AR platform in terms of function and shifted their focus on the button release element then accuracy, appearance and modularity (barrel swaps) etc. To me it's a somewhat frankenstein-esque AR and doesn't appeal to me.

Some other observations
That 2 ~ 3 MOA on standard ammo is undesireable, good to see they were able to tone it down to 1 MOA with Hornady ammo.
Foregrip is too bulky
Trigger looks a tad sloppy, 4lb trigger pull ok
Would have been nice to have ability to change the stock?

Looks like the Stockades coming along... Pretty hard to avoid copper buildup on the gas piston, only speacialist manufacturers will bother aligning the gas port in the groove (preferable) rather than landing it anywhere across the lands/groove, a final porting of the gas port can help also but i can't see Eureka doing any of this so nothing a clean every 500 ~ 1000 odd rounds wont sort out. Sounds like their 9mm will be blowback so their gas block issues will be nil, they didn't sound confident on 9mm release date due to barrel supply issues.

Nitriding the bolt is going to help with wear but they should consider also hard anodizing the raw aluminium internal on the upper rather than relying on machining marks to hold lubrication, sounds like a rudimentry approach. Just remember your lube fellas!

[bladeracer]

I'd love something that looks like an AR as long as it is an AR. I don't have any interest in something that looks like one but doesn't perform like one.
One of the guys at the pistol club today said his son picked up a Buckmaster Gen 2 last week, and agrees with me that it has no recoil, similar to shooting his semi-auto skeet gun.

Bastion (of the Buckmaster, Chimera and Eureka - same guy from the Eureka video I posted) rang me this evening and told me heaps about them that I'm not going to share publicly, but they certainly sound good. He particularly loves the 9mm conversion for the Eureka. I suspect I'm going to end up with the Buckmaster and the Chimera next year.

The Buckmaster button release independent 10 round mag does it for me! I've been calling for something in this config for some time.

The Chimera, "ki-meer-uh".223 reminds me of the Remington 7615 but with the button release. $1599 price on the .223 is good.

Great in theory but it seems like they've tried to re-invent the AR in terms of function and encountered all the known problems in the process. They've then started chasing their tail to resolve those issues when instead they could have just mirrored the AR platform in terms of function and shifted their focus on the button release element then accuracy, appearance and modularity (barrel swaps) etc. To me it's a somewhat frankenstein-esque AR and doesn't appeal to me.

Some other observations
That 2 ~ 3 MOA on standard ammo is undesireable, good to see they were able to tone it down to 1 MOA with Hornady ammo.
Foregrip is too bulky
Trigger looks a tad sloppy, 4lb trigger pull ok
Would have been nice to have ability to change the stock?

Looks like the Stockades coming along... Pretty hard to avoid copper buildup on the gas piston, only speacialist manufacturers will bother aligning the gas port in the groove (preferable) rather than landing it anywhere across the lands/groove, a final porting of the gas port can help also but i can't see Eureka doing any of this so nothing a clean every 500 ~ 1000 odd rounds wont sort out. Sounds like their 9mm will be blowback so their gas block issues will be nil, they didn't sound confident on 9mm release date due to barrel supply issues.

Nitriding the bolt is going to help with wear but they should consider also hard anodizing the raw aluminium internal on the upper rather than relying on machining marks to hold lubrication, sounds like a rudimentry approach. Just remember your lube fellas!

[stihl88]

Sure i hear you, but there's AR's that look like AR's (Eureka, Taipan etc) and there's AR's that are an AR in every way except for the gas function (SP15-TAC etc).

Once you get over not having semi-auto you very quickly realise the advantages in owning something that's had 65 years of R&D behind and is still as cutting edge as when it was first introduced. Despite the lack of semi-auto function we can still lean on it's functional, simple and well thought out design then there's a plethora of mil-spec parts and componentry, and ever increasing cutting edge upgrades and accessories to boot.

Yeah Bastion is knowledgable and been around the traps...

Just noticed in the link you provided they actually show it's weight of the Chimera .223 @ 3.8kg's dry, would have been nice to see it down around the 3kg mark.

No option to change muzzle device?
Looks like it takes standard AR mags?

[bladeracer]

Sure i hear you, but there's AR's that look like AR's (Eureka, Taipan etc) and there's AR's that are an AR in every way except for the gas function (SP15-TAC etc).

Once you get over not having semi-auto you very quickly realise the advantages in owning something that's had 65 years of R&D behind and is still as cutting edge as when it was first introduced. Despite the lack of semi-auto function we can still lean on it's functional, simple and well thought out design then there's a plethora of mil-spec parts and componentry, and ever increasing cutting edge upgrades and accessories to boot.

Yeah Bastion is knowledgable and been around the traps...

Just noticed in the link you provided they actually show it's weight of the Chimera .223 @ 3.8kg's dry, would have been nice to see it down around the 3kg mark.

No option to change muzzle device?
Looks like it takes standard AR mags?

Agreed on the weight, but this wouldn't be a field rifle for me, 3-Gun and just fun practicing. Until I can actually heft one I don't know if the weight will be troublesome, my hunting rifles are Rugers in MDT chassis around 6kg anyway.

Bastion was discussing the muzzle device and suggested something like an AK device would be a good choice, so I can only assume you can change it, but in Vic we have a minimum 400mm barrel length so maybe the device is welded here?
Yes, I believe standard AR15 magazines.

When they make it out to dealers next month then we'll learn more about the design.