When you think of the name “Barrett” what usually pops to mind is a firearm that is closer to field artillery than your grandfather’s hunting gun. Barrett is looking to change that this year, launching a line of fine sporting shotguns at SHOT Show. Now at NRA they’re showing a lightweight bolt action hunting rifle specifically designed for the civilian sporting market dubbed the “Fieldcraft” line . . .
On paper the gun looks pretty good. The stainless steel receiver is hand bedded into every lightweight carbon fiber stock, making for a strong and durable rifle that should do extremely well in any environment. The fluted bolt not only reduces the overall weight but also looks amazing. And the bolt handle is a finely polished stainless steel work of art that is visually striking.
In the hand, the gun is a little different. The bolt is difficult to work, feeling heavier than many of the other competitors in this market. The action is somewhat smooth but definitely not smooth enough — it needs some additional polishing in my opinion. Finally the trigger is set a bit heavy for my taste.
Barrett has set the MSRP for the Fieldcraft rifle at $1,799. For that money I expect a damn fine gun, and the final production version of this rifle might fit that description. The problem for Barrett is that companies like Tikka and Sauer keep raising the bar, cranking out remarkably good rifles at a fraction of the MSRP that Barrett is asking. We’ll have to see if the final product is worth the money in its own right or if you’re just paying extra for the Barrett brand.
Ruger American. Under 500 bucks and no problems.
Same. Even those flimsy polymer mags have functioned 100% for me.
Heavy, difficult to work bolt, crappy trigger… they’ve stuck a Mosin in a carbon fiber stock for the low, low price of $1800. Pass.
“Lightweight carbon fiber” is often a euphemism for “whippy as a puppy dog’s tail.”
Given my Costa grip square stance, my wrist hurts seeing that grip
Manufacturers should work on straight-pull receivers that will accept all the ar15 barrels, bolts, bolt carriers and fcgs. Will need a non-Stanag magazine. Strip those soon-to-be illegal AR15s down and make a nice non-semiauto shooter with those high dollar bling parts. No pistol grips, please – too military-looking.
K31 in 5.56? Eh, Keep it .30 cal and I’m interested. But not as long as K31 or k11 are below the $1500 minimum it would cost to produce.
Another Barret dumpster fire. Overpriced nothing special with the kind of easy to identify shortcomings common to a package gun. Take a R700 clone then ruin it and flute the bolt and charge double.
For less than half that price you can have a new Winchester model 70 that is superior in every way.
Dear gun industry, there are more people that can afford a gun under 400-500 than those who can 1700. It’s like shotshow or any gun manufacturer/reporter circle jerk don’t care that >70% of their customer bsse cannot afford the guns, but damn it they sure will try to swindle fools out of 2k for an ar just because of the name.
I bought a winchester model 70 .30-06 for 300 bucks, and I’m building an ar for less than 400
Next year Barrett will unveil a new line of pistols – their own versions of a 1911, a striker fired pistol Glock-style, and a truly retro Webley style revolver.
Some of u guys are full of crap. I own a Fieldcraft and it is as close to perfect as u can get. Some of u complained and had never seen one, much less handled one.
Anyway ur ignorance is evident.
Wow!
Greg
The review itself reads somewhat like a hit piece, given the rave reviews I have seen from people who actually own, have shot, and hunted with the rifle. I am simply researching it at this point, and have no experience with the rifle, so will offer no opinion. But a review(?) in which the rifle is briefly handled, no shots are fired, and that is it makes a negative impression read like a hit piece. And the dogpile that resulted does little to change my mind.
I actually own one. Purchased new, directly from Barrett, in 6.5 Creedmoor. I haven’t the slightest idea what the author is talking about triggerwise…….My Fieldcraft has a GREAT Timney trigger. The bolt cycles flawlessly. I’ve got around 300 rounds through it, and it’s accurate as hell. I highly recommend the Barrett Fieldcraft.
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