• SUBSCRIBE
Athlon Outdoors Supersite
Tactical Life Website
Ballistic Website
Personal Defense World Website
Skillsetmag Website
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Thermal Vision
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
      • Military Lifestyle
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Thermal Vision
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
      • Military Lifestyle
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors Super Site
No Result
View All Result
  • TL
  • PDW
  • BM
  • Skillset
 
Welcome to GLOCKTOBER! Click here for all things GLOCK.

Gun Review: Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC

ShareTweetPin
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG lead

Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC

Doug LarsonbyDoug Larson
September 3, 2014
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG lead
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG forend
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG front
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC

Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG grip
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG muzzle
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC

New AR-15 manufacturers have appeared at a surprising rate in the last few years, and it’s good to be cautious when making a purchase decision involving a gun from a manufacturer that has been around only a short time. Experience in manufacturing ARs is important, just as experience is in any endeavor. The more you do it, the better you get.

Windham Weaponry is one of the newcomers to the market, having been started in 2011. In a relatively short time, Windham Weaponry has filled out its product line to include quite a number of rifles. One of the ARs that Windham makes is the Carbon Fiber SRC (Sight Ready Carbine), which is produced by the company’s Carbon Fiber Division in Phoenix, Arizona. This isn’t like other carbon-fiber ARs that readers may be familiar with. Windham uses more material in certain critical areas and incorporates a unique barrel nut to increase strength. And even though the upper and lower receivers are made of 40 percent carbon-fiber-infused polymer instead of forged aluminum, most standard AR-15 parts will fit the Carbon Fiber SRC.

RELATED: Windham Weaponry HBC AR-15 | AR 15 Review

But don’t try to mix carbon-fiber upper or lower receivers with aluminum uppers or lowers. They won’t fit right. And since the barrel nut is a bit different, some handguards built for aluminum receivers won’t fit either, however the technicians at Windham can give you advice on what works and what doesn’t before you buy.

Other differences include an upper rail on the flattop receiver that sits about .04 inches higher than the one on an aluminum receiver. That adds strength but means you might need a front sight post that is 0.04 inches higher than a standard one. These are available from Windham, though. Additionally, the

takedown and pivot pins do not protrude from the left side of the receivers, so a tool will be needed to push them out, or at least get them started. That’s not a big deal; a bullet tip works just fine. Also, the charging handle slots in the upper receiver do not have cutouts for removing the charging handle. Instead, the slots run all the way to the rear of the receiver so the charging handle and bolt carrier can be pulled straight out the back. That means you have to be a little more careful when disassembling the gun so that the bolt carrier group doesn’t fall out when the receivers are separated. Besides the integral (instead of hinged) triggerguard—an integral model adds strength—there really aren’t any other significant differences between the composite and aluminum guns.

RELATED: Windham Weaponry .308 SRC Rifle – New for 2014 | VIDEO

So what’s the advantage of a carbon-fiber gun? It’s about half a pound lighter than aluminum, and there is no surface finish that can wear off. The carbon-fiber composite also dissipates heat faster than aluminum, and according to the company, the composite is just as strong and resilient as aluminum. I can’t vouch for that personally, because I didn’t try to break the gun, but I can’t argue with Windham about it either. After all, there are a lot of handguns on the market that have composite frames and hold up just fine.

The chrome-lined barrel has a 1-in-9-inch twist and is made of 4150 chrome molybdenum vanadium steel. It’s also air gauged and finished with manganese phosphate for corrosion resistance. Additionally, Windham has included M4 feed ramp cuts for feeding reliability—that’s something not all manufacturers do.

The bolt carrier is made of Carpenter 158 steel, and it and the gas key are both chrome lined. The gas key is also properly staked, something that some manufacturers make a feeble attempt at doing.

The handguard is an M4 type and has double heat shields, something else that some manufacturers skimp on. That can make a big difference when firing long strings because those handguards can get hot. Out front is an A2-style flash suppressor and at the back is a commercial receiver extension with a six-position, collapsible buttstock equipped with a sling loop to
complement the sling swivel on the bottom of the gas block. A standard A2 pistol grip is used, so if the user wants to swap it out for a different one, it’s easy. The gun even has a bayonet lug. To sum it up, the Carbon Fiber SRC is almost identical to the aluminum receiver version. But how does it shoot?

Because it weighs a little less than six pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. Since the recoil of the .223 round is pretty tame, it’s a nice, comfortable gun to shoot either off-hand or from the bench. Although it would be a little easier than an aluminum gun to tote around the field all day, it’s not a precision gun. But one wouldn’t expect it to be since it’s so light. That’s not to say it isn’t accurate enough for most practical uses. After all, it beats the 5-MOA military specification for an M4 carbine.

Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG port
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG rail
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC

Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG scope
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC BG side
Windham Weaponry Carbon Fiber SRC

Other Options

Windham makes other AR-style rifles as well. The CDI model is Windham’s top of the line and it’s got accessories that are very popular, including a Magpul MOE buttstock, Diamondhead Free float handguard, Magpul AFG Angled Foregrip, Magpul MOE Pistolgrip, Diamondhead Dual Aperture Flip-Up Rear Sight, Diamondhead Front Flip-Up Sight and a web sling.

Then there’s the MPC, or Most Popular Carbine. It has a Windham Weaponry telescoping buttstock, M4 double heat shield handguards, A2 pistol grip, an A4 dual aperture rear sight and an A2 front sight.

There’s also an aluminum version of the Carbon Fiber SRC. The only difference is the receiver, which is made from forged 7075-T6 aluminum, making the gun just a bit heavier.

If you want a gun that is even heavier, there’s the HBC, or Heavy Barreled Carbine. It’s the same gun as the MPC but with a heavy barrel. It weighs about 7.45 pounds, compared to about 6.85 pounds for the MPC.

For the accuracy to snuff varmints, Windham makes the VEX-SS Varmint Exterminator. It features a 20-inch, matte finished and fluted 416R stainless steel barrel with a Compass Lake Specification chamber and a 1-in-8-inch twist. The gun has a skeleton stock with a sling swivel, a knurled and vented aluminum free-floating handguard, a Hogue rubber pistol grip and a flattop with rail risers.

Lately, a lot of people want an AR chambered in .308, so Windham just introduced the SRC-308. It’s light, weighing only about 7.5 pounds, has a 7075-T6 aluminum flattop receiver and a 16.5-inch, chrome-lined, medium profile 4150M chrome moly-vanadium barrel with an A2 flash suppressor. The twist is 1-in-10 inches.

 

Final Notes

Windham also offers law enforcement models. In fact, agencies can contact Windham to discuss special models that are built to the department’s specifications.

Windham doesn’t stop there, though. The company also sells complete uppers in a variety of models as well as upper receiver parts, including stripped uppers, barrels and parts kits. The company doesn’t sell lower receivers, but it does sell parts for lowers, including complete parts kits minus the receiver.

For more information call 855-808-1888 or visit windhamweaponry.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

MOST POPULAR

300 Blackout vs 308, rifles, ammunition

300 Blackout vs 308 Win: Which Round Reigns Supreme in AR-15s?

Taurus Home Defender revolver in .410.

KA-BOOM: Here Comes the Taurus Judge Home Defender!

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

21 Best New Handguns [2023]

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

TRENDING

raleigh police, raleigh police biting, frederick hall, frederick hall biting

VIDEO: Belligerent Suspect Punches, Bites Raleigh Police Officers

SCCY CPX 2: Why the Sub-$300 Pistol Continues to Be So Popular

Glock 20 SF 10mm

Kalashnikov USA KS-12 ak shotguns

Kalashnikov USA KS-12, KS-12T AK Shotguns Now Shipping to Dealers

The vintage 4 X 4 Ford Bronco is a classic.

My Vintage 4X4 Is Much Cooler Than Your Fancy Electric SUV

BROWSE BY BRAND

Skillset-Logo_yellow-153x47png
Ballistic_LOGO-217x47
CH-Logo_blue-153x47
T-L-SS-stack life-47x140
PDW_CCH_LOGO-300x101
PDW-2022-Sidebyside-logo 160x30-blk
GOW LOGO x101
AF_LOGO-184x47

SPOTLIGHT

Infrasound horror movies, scary

Infrasound: The Hidden Sound That Makes Horror Movies So Unsettling

Getting a scare out of horror movie fans takes a lot more than a guy in a hockey mask murdering...

RELATED POSTS

Friday the 13th and the shooting sports

Friday the 13th and Superstition in the Shooting Sports World

...

The Taurus GX4 Carry.

Taurus GX4 Carry Finds the Balance Between Capacity and Carry

...

The Watchtower Type 15M.

Watchtower Type 15M is Premium Forged and “All American Made”

...

Load More

TRENDING

Bear OPS Butterfly Knife

Bear OPS Butterfly Knives

Knife users who have come to depend on butterfly knives will be happy to hear that Bear OPS added eight...

The Taurus GX4 Carry.

Taurus GX4 Carry Finds the Balance Between Capacity and Carry

Taurus USA has really created quite a stir in the industry over the past few years with all the new...

Sending rounds downrange at Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous.

Best New Hunting Guns & Gear From Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous

Traveling for work lost some of the allure it brought 30 years ago. But I still look forward to the...

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

21 Best New Handguns [2023]

The NSSF SHOT Show is the premier event to get your hands on new gear. It gives us a first...

MOST POPULAR

The Mossberg MC2sc semi-auto pistol.

12 Best Micro-Compact Handguns for Concealed Carry [2022]

A thick veil of fog stood forever in front of me as I cruised down the highway at 6:30 in...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

Law enforcement in the United States is in constant evolution and that includes various police sidearms. These days, law enforcement...

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

Tuesday afternoon we broke news that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection selected three Glock 9mm pistols as its new standard...

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

21 Best New Handguns [2023]

The NSSF SHOT Show is the premier event to get your hands on new gear. It gives us a first...

VIDEO SERIES: AT THE READY | SEASON 2

MORE VIDEOS

The Taurus GX4 Carry.

Taurus GX4 Carry Finds the Balance Between Capacity and Carry

The 21st Tec TEC47 Rifle.

The 21st Tec TEC47 AR-10 in 7.62x39mm Accepts AK Mags

HANDGUNS

Predator – M134 Minigun.

Iconic Scary Movie Guns Just in Time for Halloween

The Taurus GX4 Carry.

Taurus GX4 Carry Finds the Balance Between Capacity and Carry

The Sig Sauer P320 FCU and Custom Shop circumvent restrictive state regulations.

Sig P320 FCU and Custom Shop Overcome Restrictive State Laws

New Graphene finish.

The Taurus GX4 Micro-Compact is Now Available in Graphene

The Pedersoli Howdah.

The Pedersoli Howdah: Recreating the Howdah’s Legacy

The SK Customs Morelos.

SK Customs Morelos 1911 Heralds Generalissimo Jose Morelos

RIFLES - click to see all

The 21st Tec TEC47 Rifle.

The 21st Tec TEC47 AR-10 in 7.62x39mm Accepts AK Mags

The Watchtower Type 15M.

Watchtower Type 15M is Premium Forged and “All American Made”

The Heritage Tactical Rancher Carbine.

Heritage Tactical Rancher Carbine Brings the .22 LR and Mag Fun

The limited edition RISE Armament Topo Watchman rifle.

UPDATED: New RISE Armament Topo Watchman Limited-Edition

AMMO - click to see all

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth Upland loads.

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth Upland Expands Hunting Lineup

Ammo Storage, Survival Ammo, long term ammo storage, Prepper

Best Methods for Long-Term Ammo Storage

6 .410 Ammo Options for Home and Personal Defense.

.410 Ammo for Home Defense [2023]

.44 Magnum dirty harry

Your Guide to the .44 Magnum Cartridge

The Escort PS Youth 20-gauge shotgun.

The Escort PS Youth Shotgun is Now Available in .410 Bore

The 2022 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous event.

Rendezvous Roundup: Guns & Gear at Athlon’s Signature Event

Magazines Available Now! Subscribe today for Home Delivery!
FREE NEWSLETTERS! Subscribe!
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • CORPORATE
  • ADVERTISE
  • EDIT DESK
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
      • Military Lifestyle
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS

© 2023 Athlon Outdoors - Premium Firearm product and industry news, reviews and magazines" .