Strike Industries SMC vs Flux Defense Raider

lets see what the main differences are between the flux and smc!

[@thegatmann]

Apologies for failing to mention the most important piece of information! The Strike Industries SMC is a aluminum chassis and the Flux Defense Raider is a polymer chassis.

[@bladeboysfv5646]

ALSO, STRIKE can fire with brace folded, FLUX CANNOT FIRE with brace collapsed!?

[@carbon8ed]

@@bladeboysfv5646 The flux CAN fire with the brace collapsed

[@arsenal_616]

I definitely think the Raider is the better of the two. The only downside is availability. But I heard the guys at Flux are working at ramping up production. Hopefully they can make that happen soon.

[@arsenal_616]

@@rofllcats I got lucky and got one on my first try. Lol. And Alex is a great guy. Talked to him a couple times in the comments of his KZbin videos and on Instagram.

[@jakejake7162]

They’ve been backed up for several years and haven’t even fixed their production issue in two years. I reached out and got grief from them, I’d advocate for the smc

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Hasn't changed. Out of stock the last 10 months with no option to be notified.

[@evilphantom457]

I ended up getting the SMC, QC feels really good and it looks pretty slick with a light

[@mcalixtro82]

of course you did. i'd get the strike smc too. how are you supposed to buy a unicorn if it doesnt exist?

[@Jkp1321]

The fact that the SMC makes you chose between a WML or the front grip/mag holder is a non-starter, especially with an MSRP as high as the Raider

[@somerandomcomment848]

I dont see that as a bad thing cause the SMC has a 1913 rail system so you can choose specific if you want the mag holder or add what you choose but I can see it form your perspective. Personally I dont belive in WML cause thats how you get shot but go for it. Edit Also the SMC is metal. Metal is better in my opinion than polymer for frames but that one is 100% a personal choice.

[@blamingfish432]

if you get the blast shield accessory you can mount a pistol light and the mag holder, costs more but can be done

[@Cupofjoe60]

It seems in some states the mag holder is a no go, so i get why it could be replaceable, also seems like you could probably get it into a traditional holster as odd as that sounds

[@davidchaparro2517]

@@somerandomcomment848 hey, curious about your comment about WML and getting shot. What do you mean by that? - thanks

[@robjackson7129]

Flux has a new mold for the Raider that they are finalizing QC on as I type this. Hopefully they will be able to double production at the beginning of the year. Not only have they had issues with availability for the proprietary polymer during the vid but their suppliers made promises they couldn’t keep. Flux is working hard to keep up with demand. They do have plans to make a lefty Raider.

[@MrCalicious]

Gotta say, IMO the Flux is better in every practical way. The innovation behind the brace and the secondary mag release is next level. The only thing the SMC has is that it's built well - but it's not like Raiders are built poorly. The Flux also just looks cooler. The SMC looks like a pistol with cool stuff attached, while the Flux looks like a unique PDW - and we all know Rule number 1

[@Smokey_A]

Flux has three options to release the mag. The one at the front mag as described, plus a sliding one right in front of the safety on the left. Plus one on the right similar to where an AR release would be. So that one makes it ambi.

[@tommieboi707]

Thank you for pointing out that you can attach a comp to the frame of the alpha but not on the bravo. That's the biggest deciding point for me since I live in Cali.

[@spartan117gw]

Flux master race. Not a fan of strike industries

[@gizmo30514]

I have both also. I am undecided on which I like better. I would also note that on a reload of the raider, if you have pressure on the brace and hit the lever/ slide release it unlocks the brace causing it to collapse.

[@gizmo30514]

I am waiting on the release of the accessory rail and magwell for the smc before I render my final verdict.

[@francism9782]

Love your very thorough review on both these items. Ended up going with the SMC. Love the modularity and that I'm free to replace/swap the pistol brace back and forth on my other platforms.

[@louieburnham8090]

The biggest difference is you can actually get your hands on an SMC. Which is a shame because I like what I’m seeing out of flux a lot better.

[@PrayingPanda]

Why didn't you mention price???

[@candyland4517]

A company that actually has the resources and it’s in stock?! Flux is in trouble. (Nothing like waiting 2-3 hours on the last drop.) AVAILABILITY!!!! I’ll take that over waiting another year.

[@chadjones7722]

interested to see the smc especially in its larger configs eventually

[@SaylerT]

I think you did a very good job at doing an objective review.

[@mattwilliams6058]

Great information! Thanks so much for the video. I’ve been looking to get one of these systems and needed more information!

[@SaylerT]

One made a decent loophole option, and the side charger is good stuff. The other maintains natural functions, and also has a similar charger option. I think either would make a decent truck gun, but one maintains its role just a little better: rapidly deployable last ditch.

[@blue_ridge_shooting762]

I appreciate the video, unfortunately only one of these products has any real availability. Flux has been plagued with availability problems for multiple years now. They've made promises to fix it and hopefully they're close to getting the supply issue worked out but unfortunately until they make more raiders, the SMC will dominate the market.

[@jonn8163]

I tried to buy a flux 5 times and it was impossible even when I was waiting for them to release a new batch. I ended up with the B&T USW and love it

[@SaylerT]

Also, you gave me a reason to think adding an M17 to a possible M18.

[@PrayingPanda]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the glaring flaw in reloading the Flux Raider. You CAN'T drop the slide while braced or you'll collapse the brace!!!

[@gavinfairbanks]

You see that they fixed that on the new raider X? They released it like 8-9 days after my normal raider finally shipped 😂

[@PrayingPanda]

@@gavinfairbanks really? I'll have to check that out.

[@TheKingGummyBear]

The fact is it doesn’t matter how great a product is if it’s not readily available it’s not worth anything….flux has an issue with keeping up with demand. I’ve been waiting for them to restock the gen3 Glock braces for over 2 years…asking about them every couple of months. Same story. Coming soon or waiting for parts. I’ll take the strike industries if they can keep them in stock and they function.

[@code7.62x39]

I love them both only thing is I wish the mag holder on the smc was the same angle as the flux and the availability of the flux 😅

[@BenfromFlux]

Why should you choose one over the other? If you want a weapon, choose the Raider, if you want a toy, go with the Chinese Strike Industries SMC. The Raider has been on tier one missions and is used by tier one dudes, it has come out on top in every single eval, including evals against the MP7 and B&T products. There are many design flaws with the SMC, and there is no way it would pass Sage Dynamics test, which the Raider aced, blew him away with the result. $770 for the SMC, $489 for the much superior Flux Raider. Oh, and how bout let’s not help China take over the world by paying them.

[@vexxy0ps689]

The SMC has availability and it doesn't require a safety delete off my manual safety p320. You can say America this America that, SMC is bringing products to the table and Flux isn't. I'd rather pay more to get the product tomorrow then to wait months and no product.

[@carpeomnia2011]

@@vexxy0ps689 SMC base price is 550… idk where this dude is buying a raider at all, let alone one at the price he said… his whole shpeel sounds lazy and full of bs… what design flaws, and I havnt heard of any jsoc guys using a raider… seems silly for them to use this as opposed to a purpose built weapon for what they’re trying to do… they can prolly shoot better with a standard p320 than he can with with the raider. Doesn’t make sense.

[@carpeomnia2011]

Look up

[@BenfromFlux]

@@carpeomnia2011 I don’t know about jsoc use of the Raider, but I know a jsoc guy killed isis in Syria with the original flux brace. I cannot say who is using the Raider due to NDA, but if you list the top 3 tier one units, it will be one of those. Yeah, good shit is harder to get than garbage. Drop this once on the optic, and see what happens.

[@BenfromFlux]

@@vexxy0ps689 The SMC and Raider are exactly the same in terms of use with the manual safety P320, strike industries literally just copied the Raider here, except they don’t provide the option for a manual safety for P320s that do not already have them. Just dremel out the outlined portion on either chassis, and Flux did this first. Sure, if you want to pay more for an inferior device rather than wait for the quality one to become available, go ahead and support the communist new world order.

[@ericbergfield6451]

My brain eventually changed hearing "QD," to "quite."

[@Excalibur01]

Both are expensive but perhaps the Strike Industries SMC you can probably get easier

[@mr.c.3760]

Yeah flux is better in many ways, unfortunately, it's never in stock :( IMO it's likely 2x or more the base cost of the Flux with fewer features included. Not too mention the accessories add another 50%to the cost. If flux was widely available, it would be the king no question

[@mikef5694]

Using the Strike Viper PDW brace would have been a better comparison.

[@rarakawa1]

Awesome comparison!

[@morrius0757]

I have longer arms so I like the SMC better as I'm going to pick up a A3 Tactical brace wich you can order longer to fit your LOP

[@jordanyang3066]

Need a glock version but I understand it's impossible because of the way they mark their fcu.

[@rklkify]

just get a B&T USW glock

[@Aviation_Professional]

Would like to see a comparison 1 year later for updates

[@cloudn9necinema]

Ordering the smc since flux raider is never available 🤝🏽

[@1oddentity]

When are they coming out with that full size top rail

[@JoshuaE-BiblePatriot]

Is say the smc especially since it doesn’t have a safety is more of a recreational use chassis system. The flux is purpose built. I have the flux and got a second one to make changes too for fun. The flux doesn’t have as many moving parts which I like. I don’t like all the attachments and things that can come loose. Now do I like it. Yes. Will I get one eventually, maybe, probably. The more options the better

[@philliphurst106]

If you could only buy one which would it be?

[@troyelder56]

9:37 prefer the forward swept look of the strike industries magwell

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Flux Raider has not been in stock in the last 10 months with no option to be notified.

[@herringtonarms]

Great Video!

[@salinasvalleyjunkremovalvl8541]

How do they shoot so smooth crazy

[@jordanyang3066]

Not light mount is a big L for the smc and that charging handle placement is terrible. Cool range toy, though, but the Raider is the only usable one for actual home defense.

[@lemniscatelogos7917]

SMC with the blade runner mr kitty vibes

[@deathseek9994]

Sorry can we get a parts list for both

[@TheGlock34man]

Were u get the safety at bro

[@ttran626]

What kind of backpack did you use?

[@BenfromFlux]

HSP flatpack

[@MonMornQB]

How is the SMC foregrip legal?

[@LyleH-13]

that's not a grip. it's a magazine holder.

[@SHRKoshka]

You lost me when you said the safety is like an AR-15. 1911, maybe...? I don't know of any AR that uses a Flip-up/Flip-down safety.

[@TravistyJC]

Do a torture test next so we can watch the smc break and bend while the flux keeps going strong.

[@myktm1ify]

Will there be a Glock version?

[@10oner]

There already is. Bt uswg or recovertqctical 2020

[@Belerin26]

I like the flux but it’s never in stock

[@salinasvalleyjunkremovalvl8541]

What kind of hand guns?

[@nebraska7598]

Sig 320, nice pistols

[@larryhaley5694]

Say no to anything Strike Industries 😢 you're better than that - The Flux Fux 😂

[@wesd7432]

"Downside for a large percentage of you guys (lefties)" in reference to the Flux Raider lack of ambidextrous options. Lefties are a minority, approximately 10% of the US population. I got a Flux because I am the large percentage of the population that is right hand dominate. You're either right handed or wrong handed.

[@SpartanC907]

If you don’t like the SMC I’ll take it, just give it to me

[@GeorgiaListings]

Gatman >>>

[@troyelder56]

12:56 🤬 I am the safety, don't need a safety, the p320 doesn't have a safety.

[@igla2187]

Wait, it's not the same thing?

[@thegatmann]

Nope!

[@igla2187]

@thegatman did a great job highlighting the differences and advantages of both. Loved the video 👍

[@thegatmann]

Thank you so much!!

[@NoNameTesla]

I can’t trust Strike honestly their QC isn’t there. Seen issues with dots not holding zero. Wouldn’t trust my life on it . Ever.

[@kalvinkalen3871]

"There's really nothing else you can put on this guy to make it better than what it is" Proceeds to tell us about the thumb rest he installed. Also has an aftermarket safety and aftermarket front charging handle. I have the SMC and I really think the modularity of it edges out the FLUX. And I am a bit salty with FLUX's last drop. Screwed over a ton of people who tried for hours to buy. To than just be told sorry. Better luck next time. Id like to try the FLUX for sure. But I dont think I will ever get one because of their limited supply. Just my $0.02 that no one asked for.

[@BenfromFlux]

Try dropping your SMC, even once. The attachment for the brace and optic mount is a trash design. As far as making up for the servers crashing, what else can we do besides do all we can to fix production, fix the website, and apologize?

[@sunnycat69]

Love my raider ill pass on stroke industry

[@blondie5910]

Everytime I see a gatman video: “fine I’ll give it another shot” 30 seconds in: “this guy is definitely mentally challenged and just makes the absolute worst videos out there”

[@WettDoggTV]

The flux is never in stock, plus it has been surpassed