GREAT LAKES FIREARMS AR-15 .223 Wylde

Posted May 19, 2023

The Great Lakes Firearms AR-15 .223 Wylde is a mainstay in the AR-15 market and a great option for those looking at buying or upgrading an AR-15-style rifle. The AR-15 .223 Wylde is an ultra-accurate and reliable modern sporting rifle favored by both competition shooters and recreational shooters alike. It is lightweight, customizable, and capable of accepting a wide range of accessories. These features, coupled with the AR-15's [n edgy] design and the high performance of the .223 Wylde caliber, make the Great Lakes Firearms AR-15 .223 Wylde an excellent choice for anyone looking to purchase an AR-15-style rifle.

Design

The classic AR-15 design is iconic and recognizable, and the Great Lakes Firearms AR-15 .223 Wylde follows this design with great attention to detail. It has a classic A2-style upper receiver and a flat top rail, allowing for easy mounting of optics and iron sights. The barrel is 16" and chambered in .223 Wylde, a caliber designed to bridge the gap between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO rounds. The .223 Wylde allows for both chamberings to be used in the same rifle, with accuracy that rivals some match grade barrels. The barrel is also chrome-lined and melonited for improved accuracy and durability. The lower receiver is an anodized aluminum CNC machined from a 7075-T6 forging, and the trigger system is a mil-spec single-stage trigger. All of these features give the AR-15 .223 Wylde a classic and sturdy look and feel.

Performance

The performance of the AR-15 .223 Wylde comes through with flying colors. The chrome-lined and melonited barrel is made to ensure a high level of accuracy and consistency, and it certainly delivers. The .223 Wylde is accurate and reliable with both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO rounds, making it a great option for shooting range and competition shooting. The single-stage trigger is smooth and crisp, allowing for an excellent shooting experience. The flat top rail makes it easy to add optics or iron sights to the AR-15 .223 Wylde, ensuring that it can be customized to meet the needs of the shooter. The lightweight and customizable design also allows for quick and easy handling, allowing the shooter to be able to move and shoot with excellent accuracy and speed.

Customizeability

The AR-15 .223 Wylde can be easily customized to suit any shooter's needs. The flat top rail allows for easy mounting of iron sights and optics, and there are a wide range of aftermarket options for rails, grips, stocks, triggers, and more. The AR-15 .223 Wylde is also compatible with most aftermarket accessories, such as magazines, barrels, triggers, handguards, and more. This makes the AR-15 .223 Wylde an excellent option for those looking to customize their rifle and make it unique.

Overall

The Great Lakes Firearms AR-15 .223 Wylde is an excellent choice for anyone looking to purchase or upgrade an AR-15-style rifle. It is accurate, reliable, and extremely customizable, making it a great option for both recreational and competition shooters alike. Its lightweight design makes it easy to shoot, and its classic design gives it an edgy and intimidating look. The .223 Wylde is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into AR-15 style rifles, and the Great Lakes Firearms AR-15 .223 Wylde is a great option for anyone looking for a great rifle at a great price.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Reliable, well-made AR-15 platform.

.223 Wylde chamber allows for consistently accurate shots at longer distances.

Easy to use and maintain, thanks to its straightforward design and easy-to-understand components.

Mil-Spec parts throughout the rifle ensure durability.

Modern designs with a variety of customization and aftermarket parts available.

Competitively priced for its quality.

Cons:

Some users complain of reliability issues when using bulk ammo.

Low effective range due to .223 Wylde chamber.

Limited customization and aftermarket parts compared to competing AR-15 models.

Who Should Buy

Any law-abiding adult aged 18 or over who is legally allowed to own firearms should purchase a Great Lakes Firearms AR-15 .223 Wylde if they are looking for an accurate and reliable AR-15. However, the purchase should not be made by individuals who are legally prohibited from owning firearms. Furthermore, due to the customizable nature of an AR-15 rifle, any buyer should practice appropriate firearm safety and be very aware of local laws and gun regulations.

Comparisons

BARREL LENGTH	BARREL PROFILE	GAS SYSTEM LENGTH	RAIL LENGTH
16”	Mid-Length	Carbine	15”
16”	Mid-Length	Carbine	12”
16”	M4 Profile	Carbine	12”
16”	M4 Profile	Carbine	15”
16”	Lightweight	Mid-Length	15”

Features / Specs

-Chambered in .223 Wylde

-1 in 8 Twist rate

-16" 4150 Steel Barrel

-0.750 Gas Block DIameter

-Direct Impingement Gas System

-Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum Upper and Lower Receivers

-M4 Flat Top Upper Receiver with 15" Keymod Free Float Handguard

-Integrated Trigger Guard

-M16 style Bolt Carrier Group with Nitride Finish

-6 Position Mil-Spec Stock

-Single Stage Trigger

-Overall Weight of 6-1/2 lbs

-Made in the USA

Popular Accessories

Optics: Red dot sights, Magnifier scopes, and Rifle scopes are popular with the AR-15.

Magazine: Standard Magpul PMags or other high-quality aluminum magazines are popular choices.

Stock and Grip: Ergonomic pistol and rifle stocks, and slimline polymer grips are popular accessories.

Slings: Adjustable slings and quick detach single-, two-, or three-point slings are popular for carrying the AR-15.

Muzzle Accessories: Muzzle brakes, flash hiders, and suppressors are popular for reducing muzzle rise and flash signature.

Parts Kits: Many replacement parts kits are available that include recoil assemblies, buffers, pins, springs, and other small parts.

Forward Grips: Angled foregrips, rail grips, and vertical foregrips are popular for increased weapon control.

Sights: Backup iron sights, such as BUIS, are popular for shooters seeking increased accuracy.

Light and Lasers: Weapons lights, lasers, pressure pads, and rail mounts are popular for tactical operations.

Barrels: Upgrade or replacement barrels are popular to increase accuracy and velocity.

Accuracy

The GREAT LAKES FIREARMS AR-15 .223 Wylde is known for providing outstanding accuracy. Most reviews and reports claim that this rifle is at least 1 MOA accurate, which is quite good. The barrel has a heavy profile with a 1:7 twist rate, which helps with long range accuracy. With the appropriate ammunition and a good shooter behind it, this rifle can easily reach 1¼ MOA accuracy. Furthermore, the aluminum free float handguard gives it additional stiffness and rigidity making it even more accurate at longer ranges.