US Airforce M4 ASDW GAU 5A

US Air Force wanted a compact M4 to fit in a pilot’s ejection seat. Enter the GAU-5A ASDW @cryhavoctactical built the system and @weaponstech_engineering builds complete weapons. @holosunoptics @modernmateriel @witt_machine_outdoors @shield.arms @steel_ops @vertx_apparel @xblockdesign

[@MilspecPanda]

When he said “the package had to be extremely small” I felt that

[@Strawman333]

😂😂

[@williamp.4617]

That's small? No way man that's average

[@alexs1972]

I would say that package was perfectly average. Some would say it's even too big

[@tedh.8356]

@@johnmadrigal7217 How would you know?

[@kevint1911]

They should just give them snub nose revolvers.

[@righteousone8454]

I love the only pine tree standing in the distance. That tree needs a hug, it's survivor, it stands alone in the desert like environment

[@dirkbogarde7796]

I agree. Let's go and give it a hug. 🌲

[@wes1106]

I carried a GAU-5A back in the 80’s, no forward assist no brass detector. I was a SAC boy guarding nukes was lucky to issued it as you had to be EST certified and had the qualification built one to match it back in the 90’s had to form 1 it.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Super cool, thank you for your service

[@kimohayes98]

ABGD baby.

[@MuzzleFrontLLC]

Solid design. I was usually skeptical of 'break down' style rifles. Seems like these guys have solved the 'repeatability' puzzle really well! Nice

[@nunyabusiness4904]

I have first hand experience with these weapons, part of my old job was maintaining survival kits for USAF fighters, the GAU-5s we got and that Input into the kits did not have rotating buffer and stock assemblies, but they did have rotating pistol grips.

[@mohammedcohen]

...I met Jim Lane of Cry Havoc, at the WPB, FL Fairgrounds show last month - July - he's fixin' to be there at the next show here in August - a little over a week from now...I'm gonna buy the complete device, plus a secondary upper device for my .300 BO and 5.56 uppers...

[@sofloflow]

I have one of these on a 9" .300BO along with a LAW folder. Its been nothing but reliable. I had a Dolos before this and the handguard would come loose every 200 or so rounds. This is a much more sold solution.

[@gmonster1968]

If minimizing size beyond removing the lower from the upper is critical, then this would be the ticket. The repeatability is impressive engineering. Also, great job with that red dot at 100 yds, that's legit!

[@mrrustygray]

Bud's Gun Shop had a Briefcase rifle a while back that used the hand guard as the barrel nut. Very cool stuff.

[@project86xero]

I use a Cry Havoc QRB system on a full size rifle for exactly that reason. No sbr or pistol nonsense for an officer to question you one. Just a rilfe that fits in a tiny little bag. Mine has a LWRC UCIW PDW stock and a Faxon Integral muzzle device barrel that's exactly 16.1 inches. Fits in crazy small bags like the 5.11 Level 10 sling bag or a Vertx Dead Letter sling with room for a minimalist chest rig, 4 mags, and a sling. I have the Fab defense folding grip as well. An it does make it easier to pack up. Although I did remove the flat screw and file the edges round and re-blued it. Now it's way more comfortable. As for accuracy it's been dead nuts. An the zero has been very repeatable for me. Zero issues. I also have a Holosun 512GD gold dot and a Vortex Micro 6x magnifier; as well as Diamondhead irons and a Surefire 640df with the modlite plhv2 head. Great gun. I like having something more than just a pistol while I'm on vacation or visiting people for the weekend. But I don't like carrying around a big old bag. I usually have a small duffle and a backpack. That's it. But I'm armor to the teeth and prepared for anything. Aldo have a Trauma kit in the bag as well. Because reasons.

[@PopeRocket]

I have built both this and the LEO barrel system and each have their benefits. CryHavoc is definitely lighter and easier to manipulate with one hand. LEO is built tougher, but is heavy, more complex, and tougher to operate in a hurry. The major benefit to the LEO is that the barrel-end of the device is a $50 part while the CryHavoc is another $200 system that you may as well be buying a whole kit again. This makes multi-barrel/multiple caliber (5.56/300BLK/9mm) setups an expensive goal.

[@anthonyg.valletta8895]

I built a loosely copied clone of the AF's version where I can swap with 10.5", 16" and 20" barrels. The CryHavoc adaptor adds 1.50" to the barrel so you have to account for that when choosing handguards. I run red dots and peeps on the first two and a QR scope for the 20".

[@rhubarbpie2027]

IIRC, the AR-7 now "Henry Survival Rifle" is a semi auto box mag fed .22LR.

[@ChrisLoew]

MAC will be pleased, he's a big fan. I'm surprised they stuck with 556 and not 300blk. Neat system

[@RG-yt6wn]

Yeah, I'm surprised they didn't go 300 too. I heard the spooky dudes started running I think the sig rattler in 300 blkout. Pair that with a good suppressor and some subtonics and that's a setup I wouldn't mind having tucked under the seat if I ever ejected behind enemy lines with Tom Cruise. But space and weight being a premium, I dunno if that set up would have cut it.

[@williamk1060]

Those breakdown 22/410 rifles are several of the models between the M1 and the M14, if you ever wondered what happened to the M2-M13 rifles.

[@walterlangkowski4723]

I happen to buy one of these years back I’ve always thought about selling it but could never bring myself to selling it

[@walkercustoms]

That's pretty amazing compactness for an AR

[@JGPHX86]

Man I instantly thought of this with the Stern Defense RAB QD stock that would be a great setup

[@bradpittman5075]

So Sig didn’t win that contract? Interesting! Lol. Thanks Chris. That back drop tho. Get in there.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Remember that was 2018 who knows if they switched over to a rattler which would make sense

[@dothwalrus370]

I don't think I have ever seen a 300BLK rifle that accurate anyway, especially with subs

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

I have a Noveske and a honey badger that are the same with good match ammo

[@zezimadude13]

I think the trick isn't necessarily with weaponstech engineering on this one as much as it is with that specific takedown method.. Others that twist on like the Springfield Edge Evac with the DELOS or whatever wear down and don't line up correctly over time despite looking more sophisticated and robust and others such as the folding versions have an asymmetric mounting system with a hinge on one side and latch on the other giving you uneven mounting pressures that are liable to change over time with use, as that hinge and latch break in they're gonna wear and they're gonna wear differently. This dual latch and dual pin system is about as basic as it gets but at least it offers the most consistent mounting pressure all around.

[@calebdavis3110]

my noveski 10.5 in 300 does that but to be able to take it down! wow nice review

[@rlm2010az]

Great video

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Appreciate that.

[@Strawman333]

Hard to believe that thing holds zero. Cool!

[@project86xero]

Mine does just fine. less than a 1moa shift at 100 yards. I'm sure it shifts some. But mine is basically imperceptible at best. An I've had the Cry Havoc for over two years. An it's been taken down and reassembled dozens and dozens of times. With no loss of zero.

[@alu.304]

Midwest Industries had a version of this a few years ago. I actually know a guy that got one. Pretty cool Unobtainium

[@project86xero]

You can buy a Cry Havoc QRB and make one pretty easily. I did.

[@alu.304]

@@project86xero or you can utilize the 2 Takedown Pins inherent in the Stoner Design.............and you have your 2 piece "Takedown" gun🤣🤣🤣

[@project86xero]

​​​@@alu.304 You can't fit a rifle upper in even a normal sized backpack. You need something like a 40 leter hiking bag. But you can fit a full rifle in a very small sling bag with the Cry Havoc QRB system. An even then have room for mags, a minimalist chest rig, sling, soft armor, and a Trauma kit to boot. I know because I fit all that in a tiny ass 5.11 LV10 sling bag. It's not for everyone but if you want to be discreet while still having a more effective option than a normal CCW it's an awesome system. Love mine. It's great for traveling whether it's an overnight trip to a friend's house in Philly or a week long vacation with a bunch of friends at a cabin in the Smokeys. No one will think for a second you have a rifle with you.

[@HandlesAreDumb_111]

​@@alu.304 You've not thought all the things all the way through. Where do you keep the takedown pins? In the receiver? Now you're adding tedious extra steps. What if you fumble and drop one? You're still limited to the length of the barrel+length of the upper. Receiver separation exposes the internals. Some trigger systems require added manipulation when mating the receiver halves... Not always as easy as 'front pin, pivot closed, back pin'.

[@alu.304]

@@HandlesAreDumb_111 front and rear pins are captive in the modifications of all Stoner Designs past the adopted 601 Series. What Century are your guns from??🙄

[@welderdude1]

I can dig it. The repete zero if true to claims is pretty amazing.

[@project86xero]

I have a Cry Havoc QRB and it's been dead nuts. Taken it on several trips and vacations. An it's never lost zero even after it's been broken down and reassembled dozens and dozens of times.

[@hungerballistics24]

Fucking comments are better than the fucking video!! That’s the only reason I watch the videos-the comments, still going with the latest flash in the pan.

[@DoWork316]

I agree, very impressive 👍🏻

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

I mean, pivot and.... *take down* pin are a thing on M4/AR platform

[@expert244]

This gets smaller...

[@TwoWheelNinja]

But this way they get to sell you overpriced gimmicks that you don’t need outside of your delusional fantasy land

[@clearly_2967]

@@TwoWheelNinja For someone named captain obvious, it surprises me that you can't tell that this is very different than a standard rifle with the upper and lower separated lol

[@joemo1033]

@Captain Obvious Wait...Im delusional because I own 2 of these!? Care to unpack that for us?

[@project86xero]

If you want a rifle, not a pistol or sbr, to fit in a bag the size of a normal backpack or sling bag this is the only way. It's not a must for everyone. But I travel with a small duffle bag and a normal sized backpack. An no one thinks I could possibly have an AR. Let alone a full size rifle with a minimalist chest rig. An a full trauma kit with soft armor. Pluss all my other travel stuff like a shaving kit and clothes. That's the point. You can have a far more effective tool with you and no one would ever guess. So whether I'm staying overnight at a friend's place in downtown Philly or in a Cabin in the Smokeys I'm far better prepared than I would be with just my CCW.

[@iyn1911]

Very very impressive!

[@Mrgunsngear]

🇺🇸

[@mattsterpiecenjmaflva9956]

Pretty sweet setup 🤙🏻

[@josephthurman2062]

The only thing I see needs to be addressed without holding one personally. Maybe they design covers for the BCG and the gas tubes similar to lens cap covers for scopes. Only because I would worry about something obstructing them during a real-life situation. Other than that, it has me interested in checking out one day.

[@project86xero]

Cry Havoc makes a rubber cover for the end if you want. But I've had no issues myself.

[@chrissavage8107]

For the record …. I’d trust Costa well before I’d trust the Air Force LOL.

[@freightshayker]

Good stuff

[@ricktoole9991]

Ar with 7 inch barrel folding stock good red dot . Easy packing and versatile

[@joemo1033]

This is my "Zoo Gun"/"Mall Gun" setup. Baby carroge + backpack. No one looks twice.

[@mattmurphy7030]

Delusional lol

[@joemo1033]

@Matt Murphy You want a 9mm if a monkey starts going nuts at the Zoo?! Or the mall...

[@project86xero]

​@@mattmurphy7030 Until someone tries to shoot up the mall or a zoo. Yeah it's probably a pipe dream. But hay as long as he's not hurting anyone who cares. An before you say a normal handgun is fine for a situation like that try looking down the longest corridor in a mall one time. That shits usually hundreds and hundreds of yards.

[@gogogo1064]

Nice jacket

[@nurse-dude]

That repeatability is quite impressive

[@traeucity6087]

Nice jacket!

[@Papote44]

Im diggin' the jacket. Who makes it?

[@TheGreggArious]

How does it compare to cmmg dissent or sig mpx? They seem to be in a similar wheelhouse with less points of potential failure.

[@drufause]

Have 10.5 300 AAC now building second barrel now with a 14.5 CHF mid soon

[@tolitsdterrible4785]

You need an outdoor microphone that can eliminate the wind sound.

[@JohnThomas-gj2zg]

Very nice 👌.....

[@badger-mikeactual5020]

Sugar Weasel by Q w/ the Q shorty stock is 20" 3/4 OAL (minus suppressor) with the stock collapsed, 7" barrel w/ 1:5T chambered in .300blk, additional Dbal, and Surefire light MLOK mounted. The Airforce got robbed on this procurement! 🤣 Here is the K.I.S.S. answer: The Honey Badger!! So many other solutions to this requirement....wow. I've seen this firearm (M4 ASDW GAU A5) next to the lady who sells energy stones at gun shows. Bruhhhh.... lol

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Airforce retro fitted current guns not oncoming.

[@badger-mikeactual5020]

@@TheofficialCostaludus Yes Sir, if retro fit is the case, the Sugar Weasel is a standard mil receiver set. That being said to reduce cost all that would need to be done is swap barrel, handguard, and the shorty stock, thus saving the Airforce money and giving the end user various lethal options between subs and supper ammo. Overall the end user doesn't have to assemble the weapon system. Experience tells me "hit the ground and be ready to fight". 🤙

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

I don’t think “class leading bolt bounce” was in the USAF contract requirements.

[@justinkase1360]

Someone makes a folding barrel system, but I forget who it is. That seems more convenient, easier to deploy, but I don't know how it compares otherwise. I would probably rather have a short barrel bullpup, but that would be as long as a 16" AR when it's disasembled and longer than this system with a 16" barrel detached.

[@project86xero]

With a pinned and welded 16 inch barrel the longest part is the barrel at about 17 inches including the lugs of the barrel. Not even an SBRd X95 is that small. I should know. I have a rifle with a Cry Havoc qrb. It's super tiny.

[@justinkase1360]

@@project86xero Right, that's what I said if you read it closely.

[@project86xero]

​@Justin Kase Sorry I meant to add in that a bullpup sbr is actually a fair bit shorter than a rifle uper, but my pops called and I rushed the comment. Anyways my x95 sbr is three inches shorter than a pinned upper and probably 4 or more inches shorter than a normal rifle upper. It's not as small as my Cry Havoc broken down. However it can fit in a normal size backpack. I can sort of get it in my Vertx Gamut 2.0 but it's a bit too tight. However it definitely fits in bags small enough not to be suspicious looking. An it's way faster to deploy. Although there is that pesky sbr issue. An if I wanted rapid deployment my 300 blackout pdw is a better fit for me. I love bag guns if you couldn't tell. I even have an over under that fits in a normal size backpack for when I go to places that don't believe in the constitution. I call it my Biden special. An that fact that it exists at all pisses me off. Just like Joe.

[@HandlesAreDumb_111]

I believe the folding barrel you're thinking of is the foldAR?

[@justinkase1360]

@@project86xero I agree with you on 300 blackout making much more sense in this role. Unless, of course, you are really having to shoot at longer ranges. You have a folding over under? I've seen those.

[@NoGoBu]

Sounds like the wind was blowing a gale, too.🌬👍❗️ I'll ask my wife if ,just kidding Snowballs chance in 👹🪖🫡

[@joemo1033]

What jacket is that?! Looks perfect for a kit I'm building.

[@rigid73able]

Because it has sleeves and pockets?

[@joemo1033]

@Lonnie Hawkins I mean...those are definitely features I appreciate in a jacket haha... For me was more about material and thickness though. Waterproof and warm in this kit I'm trying to get nailed for the trunk has always ended up with jackets being too bulky. This looks like a goldilocks zone type jacket.

[@joemo1033]

Asked and answered. Filson Jac-Shirt.

[@ExtremeUnction1988]

@@joemo1033 I just looked up Filson. Holy shit $450 for a jacket! If you don’t think that’s crazy, consider they have t-shirts for $60! What the heck hahahaha.

[@joemo1033]

@James Bohigian The one I got was only $400...but still. Not a cheap jacket haha

[@DavidV.Amendola]

19 seconds to deploy. Not bad.

[@2Aknight762]

Looks better than that Dolos system, the ratcheting on that was total crap kept lossening.

[@greenefieldmann3014]

He says sorry a lot.

[@dirkbogarde7796]

Those hills need some water. I take it the atmospheric river never made it to you.

[@mrrustygray]

12 Seconds in and the ATF issues a ban.

[@jamesgichuru167]

What’s that jacket? Not usually my thing, but been looking for something hard use without buying some hipster $300 b.s.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Filson Jac Shirt

[@jamesgichuru167]

@@TheofficialCostaludus Thank you. So definitley $300 but not so hipster.

[@geebeaux]

Seperating the upper still makes more sense.

[@HandlesAreDumb_111]

It really doesn't.

[@0Asterite0]

so you lose the bolt carrier group? No thanks 🤡

[@lineben007]

Messing with the algorithm

[@tannercastle3868]

So does the airforce use that folding lower?

[@jorgemartinez8340]

👏👍👏

[@jck197]

What red dot and reticle are you using?

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Holosun

[@Peter-un5ux]

What can are you using?

[@christopherbeining825]

What jacket is that?

[@jb7483]

Then all manufacturers need to stop selling to all California LEO Agencies

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

"This one right here"..... shows upper lol should have just had the barrel for awesome points and modularity, get my man a marketing guy

[@A5JDZK]

Midwest industries sold these in limited quantities back in 2020.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Yeah I wish I had one

[@cristobaltorres6185]

Who makes that can?

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Witt Machine outdoors

[@higherlifts420]

They give the chair force guns? I thought they were standard issued tv remotes

[@SChisholm1879]

Yes. We get the remotes while we eat steak and lobster at the chow hall.

[@weffyj6427]

Wouldn't just popping the pins and separating the upper and lower simplify things? And aren't humans being replaced by drones anyway? Seems overly complex to me. #KISS

[@jonnboy]

Big Government with their Toys, Aircrews are going to put all these pieces together after a violent ejection in a possible combat area, I don't think so. Better a bullpup with a 10-14" barrel. They will just need to load and fire. I think it would be better human engineering. That's my thought. I have a AR 15 in 6.5 Grendel with folding tube that's just as small with 7 " barrel no pieces to find in the dark.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Luckily they are smart enough to fly a fighter. I didn’t request the weapon for them. They wanted a M4. If they wanted a bull pump which i get your mindset they would of. Either way they are stubborn or didn’t have money. It was also just one piece lol

[@jonnboy]

I realize you just review not recommend this firearm. Thanks for your feedback and good video.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

@@jonnboy no I have that 10.5 300 it’s in expecting cool. If you need something small it’s a great thing

[@kinch613]

Aircrew consistently are able to walk away from ejections. And all ejections are violent. I was a former egress ( ejection seat mechanic) specialist. And yes there are a plethora of SERE situations where even injured aircrew escape , evade and resist. This is one helluva tool for them in my opinion.

[@leo78744]

7:40 who makes this piece?

[@israelhurd3043]

I don't understand why don't they just use a ratler

[@larrymarsico4059]

🙌🔥💪🤙🇺🇸

[@xBUSYWORKSx]

Wonder how it would work with a laser

[@ronin2167]

Cry Havock stole the idea from the LaRue Tactical PredatOber. I have a Cry Havock and it's too heavy in my opinion. Might want to take a look at Rellim Arms.

[@edgarnaranjo3379]

Sig Ratler 5” in 300blk w collapsible stock is a way better option, no need of assembly

[@project86xero]

However it's either a pistol that local law enforcement can hassle you on or an SBR that is harder to travel with. This is super compact even as a rifle. Love 300 blackout pdws. But this does have it's place. Although personally I think I should be able to carry whatever I want wherever I want to in the US. But life isn't so black and white.

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

I did think about getting a DRD .308 idk whatever happened to those guys

[@tomharper8351]

LGS has one in 556 on sale right now

[@project86xero]

Cry Havoc makes a qrb for AR10s as well BTW.

[@KendrasEdge757]

Man so crazy. You can just pop two pins on an AR and do the same thing already! Weird.

[@TheofficialCostaludus]

Not a 12.5 barrel and upper will fit in a ejection seat

[@KendrasEdge757]

@@TheofficialCostaludus no, but we’re not flying jets either

[@joemo1033]

But popping 2 pins won't separate the longest section of the rifle: charging handle to muzzle. This breaks that up.

[@KendrasEdge757]

@@joemo1033 yeah, I get that, and it’s good for pilots, but for the vast majority of CIVILIANS, we can just pop two pins, fold the stock, shove it in the bag, and will have significantly less zero shift issues as well. He mentioned this for packing out a gun for a hunt or hiking etc etc & the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze imo, but to each their own.

[@joemo1033]

@Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum Totally get it. I like mine for getting rifles into places where a 28 inch height bag would be tough. Being able to have the longest dimension be 10 inches shorter than that is a huge win for my use cases.

[@PD-we8vf]

At 7:08 you make an elementary mistake. You claim that is the upper. It is not the upper.

[@domestictourist97]

Wow thanks so much for enlightening us all…

[@CodeResp]

Definitely a FU to certain org

[@Omar20v]

A 9 inch 300blk would fit in most bags, i see that rifle more useful being a 16 inch 6 arc that you have tucked away in a backpack just in case you want to touch somebody at 800m 🙃

[@dj42864]

10.5” brn180….problem solved

[@MikeHunt-rw4gf]

Algorithm.

[@wintersoldier4335]

Its a DOLOS hmmmmph ok whatever

[@project86xero]

The Dolos WAS... key word was, trash in comparison. It had a tendency to unlock and rotate under recoil if you shot it from various positions. I had one and sold it to a buddy after I found the Cry Havoc. Way better in every way except weight. No proprietary rails, no accidental unlocking, and a far better repeat zero.

[@asquadwiperasdwftwg]

ASquaDWiper has no association with weapons manufacturers 😂 ASDW= ASquaDWipe 😅 Silly military people 😭 Peace on earth ❤ guns are bad

[@jackelracer593]

are you in idaho now, or still Wyoming?

[@jiujitsuforall8627]

How does this compare to the "Dulos" system? Advantages? Disadvantages? How much added weight does the system add, not counting a LAW or similar?

[@robertfoote3255]

Dolos is a bit lighter, but had a tendency to unlock. It locked with a twist handguard. The GAU5 has two cam lock levers. .....I use the Cry Havoc on a MK18. Tried a Laws folder on it...but it makes it a bit heavy for it's size and a bit thick when folded.

[@project86xero]

Well Dolos is gone. They have a few knock offs now though. But it does have a tendency to unlock under recoil and tension. Plus it's not as good with repeat zero. Alsp some barrels are super tight and the Cry Havoc has an advantage with the levers when it comes to remol. Love my Cry Havoc qrb.