The phrase “concealed carry rifle” is a pretty obvious oxymoron — they just don’t go together.
With a generally accepted definition of a rifle including terms like “shoulder-fired”, and “16-inch barrel”, applying concealability to the equation might leave one scratching their head.
A few companies have tried to tackle this dilemma and have had varying degrees of success. But pistols still hold the advantage of small size when it comes to tucking them away.
We can agree that a rifle has strong advantages over a pistol, but can it truly be concealable? And even if you can hide such a rifle, is it any good?
The folks at FoldAR sent us one of their MoBetta Concealed Carry Rifles, and we took it to the range to answer these questions. We’ll share our findings with you below, so read on!
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Why You Should Trust Us
Sean Curtis has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career of over two decades. He received continued training for his roles in SWAT and as a POST-certified handgun instructor.
He began writing in 2014 for Police1.com, covering many topics, including firearms reviews. From there, his works spread to Guns.com, American Survival Guide, Gun World Magazine, and the Glock Annual.
Sean wrote freelance reviews for Pew Pew Tactical since 2018, then came on board full-time in 2021 where he soon began focusing on videos.
FoldAR Pros & Cons
Pros
- Foldable
- Concealable
- Very accurate
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
The Bottom Line
The FoldAR is a premium AR-15 that folds in half and can be tucked away accordingly. It's extremely accurate and very reliable, but a little on the costly side.
FoldAR Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 223 Wylde
- Action: Semi-auto
- Width folded: 4.25″
- Length folded: 17.63″
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Height: 7.5″
- Weight: 6.8 lbs.
- Capacity: 30+1 (or by magazine)
- Comes with: Small backpack, 20-round magazine
Features
- Locking hinge
- Nickel Match PTFE Trigger
- 4150 Match Button Pulled Barrel
- 5.11 Tactical Rush Moab 10
Source: FoldAR
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Background
One of the important aspects of a rifle is barrel length. This quality allows the round to develop more velocity before it leaves the muzzle.
As a general rule, the shorter the barrel, the less velocity you get from the projectile. Less velocity often translates to worse performance of that projectile when it hits something.
Anyone trying to shorten barrels to make rifles more concealable faced this very problem. There have been some inventive solutions, though!
The Armalite AR-7 is a takedown rifle, meaning one you take apart to store and then reassemble to fire. Eugene Stoner originally designed the rifle as a survival tool for downed pilots.
It was an amazing design and pretty functional because it broke down and stored in its own stock. However, it was chambered in .22 caliber and was limited in range and effectiveness.
Stoner’s AR-15 also used a 16” barrel but was chambered in 5.56x45mm, still a .22 caliber round, but travelling a heck of a lot faster. The AR-15 can be broken into two pieces by removing the takedown pins.
However, it still leaves you with a long portion consisting of the muzzle device, hand guard, and upper receiver. This segment is around two feet long, so not exactly concealable.
FoldAR’s approach was to create a hinge at the end of the upper receiver. The whole handguard and barrel neatly fold back alongside the receiver.
When the rifle is closed into the firing position, a hook and lever pull the two halves together tightly. It’s a good thing they do, considering the chamber pressures present during firing.
The longest segment (barrel) is 17.75 inches, and the shorter segment is around 15 inches. The whole thing is pretty compact as a result.
Who Is It For?
The FoldAR has a lot of potential applications. Anyone wanting a quality rifle that can easily be tucked away will want to check this out.
It can be stowed in a vehicle, readily locked in a smaller safe, or toted in a small backpack, which is included with your purchase.
Recently, FoldAR has been explored as an option for law enforcement agencies with officers in schools. Concealed, the rifle isn’t intimidating, but it can be quickly deployed in times of need.
Fit & Feel
The FoldAR feels like a normal AR-15 in many respects. It is lightweight at 6.8 pounds and feels like a quality build, with no rattling or looseness detected anywhere.
The grip is a Magpul MOE, the stock is a Magpul CTR, and these both serve nicely. The adjustability of the latter is a crucial component of the rifle’s overall concealability.
FoldAR describes the trigger in their rifle as a Nickel Match PTFE. It feels like a single-stage with a bit of creep before breaking, and averaged 4.57 pounds on my Lyman Digital Gauge. Reset was very tactile and audible, happening at the return of the short throw.
I was initially dismayed at the mil-spec charging handle. While I imagined I might replace this, I eventually realized clearance might be an issue when the rifle is folded.
The rail is of a nice, smaller diameter, and covered in MLOK and Picatinny as you would expect. It is exceptionally sturdy and well-mounted to the receiver despite the hinge.
That is the other notable distinction of this rifle. There is a hole in the left side of the rail that mates up with a nipple on the left side of the receiver, which keeps the rifle closed when folded.
A reasonable amount of force is required to pull this apart to resume the firing position. The right side of the rail includes a hook and lever not normally found on AR-15s.
This lever extends to the hook rearward, which connects to a bar just forward of the ejection port. Once connected, the lever is then mashed down flat against the rail.
Additionally, there is a knotted paracord section at the end of the lever that enables you to pull it free for disassembly.
How Does It Shoot?
The FoldAR was solid in all respects but had some surprises in store for me. While I proceeded through the review with an objective mind, I have to admit I was skeptical about repeatable accuracy.
Achieving decent accuracy is not a fluke. It’s a deliberate goal and requires a good deal of engineering and craftsmanship to accomplish.
It’s one of the reasons early gun writer Col. Townsend Whelen said, “Only accurate rifles are interesting.” Introduce some new gadget into a rifle and you very often can ruin your chances at accuracy.
Breaking a rifle in half could easily fall into this category. My expectations were couched in this thinking—boy, was I wrong.
Using a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12, I zeroed and began to shoot groups. Eventually pushing out to 100 yards, I was encouraged with some one-inch groups using 55-grain AAC ammo.
I then broke the gun down and reassembled it, feeling pretty confident the accuracy would change. I focused and fired some more groups, this time averaging around ¾-inch, sub-MOA.
Encouraged, I loaded up some Nosler 77-grain match ammo and shot more groups, breaking down and reassembling the rifle in between. The best of these groups measured .59 inches!
I don’t say this often, but I was duly impressed. All the other measurable aspects of shooting the rifle were sound.
Recoil impulse was fine; I didn’t even adjust the gas system, but had the option. Reliability was perfect. We ran through just over 500 rounds, mostly AAC practice ammo, but a couple of boxes of Nosler Match, too, with zero malfunctions.
The only hang-up was a Gen II PMAG that wouldn’t drop free when I pushed the release. I suspect this was a magazine issue.
FoldAR By the Numbers
Accuracy: 5/5
Extremely accurate and impressive at the range.
Reliability: 5/5
Had a small issue with a Gen II PMAG, but other than that, it did well.
Customization: 4/5
It has a rail and M-LOK, so you can add accessories as you wish.
Ergonomics: 4.5/5
Fairly comfortable to shoot.
Value: 4/5
It’s pricey but if you want a quality concealed carry rifle, this is your best option.
Overall: 4.5/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
What Sets it Apart?
The FoldAR is an AR-15 that folds in half and can be quickly assembled to fire. It is also extremely accurate.
FoldAR MoBetta Upgrades & Accessories
Final Verdict
Past experience has taught me that messing around with the vital functions of a rifle can introduce variables that affect accuracy or even reliability. The FoldAR has none of those problems.
In fact, it does everything exceptionally well. It’s lightweight, reliable, very accurate, and can fold up and disappear in a small backpack. I couldn’t carry it appendix, but it’s a great achievement in engineering.
Will you make the FoldAR your next purchase? Let us know in the comments below! For more information on incredible AR-15s, check out 13 Best AR-15s of 2023: Ultimate Hands-On Guide.
28 Leave a Reply
Picked an upper up and love it..
I travel a lot and wanted to have rifle in
A small package..
A standard size ar is a plus..
Just wondering- since it's foldable why don't you just place the optic further down the barrel towards the front end -i.e. AFTER THE HINGE. That way there cannot be any shift in zero! Obviously it would be a problem for a scope to be further down, but why can't a red dot sight be a bit further down?
Aint worth it. Get a Sig MCX with a folding stock instead. The Spear-LT pistol/SBR is a far better option in that price point, takes less space folded, USABLE folded, and higher quality.
I'd buy one of these as my next rifle - and let it replace my current Colt AR, as it seems to check ALL the boxes.
I'd also buy one in .300 BLK, with a shorter barrel. I could store that with a can already attached. Great article.
Thanks Skip,
FoldAR makes these in a few different chamberings and lengths, so the world is your oyster!
I bought an XAR several years ago. Very happy with it. It performs and looks just like the one Sean describes in his review. I would recommend this rifle to anyone!
So many improvements have been incorporated since we made those back in 2017
How about an 8.5" BLK with a quick-detach suppressor?
Ray, they come in 9" and up, and three different chamberings.
I believe a HUGE CON is the concealability. Under what circumstance does one need to conceal a rifle? It's not for self defense, it's not practical. I can only think of one. The fact that you mention concealing it in a backpack makes this high school teacher even more uncomfortable. Seriously, as a gun owner, it's OKAY to say somethings should be questioned as being a good idea. Just because you can doesn't mean you SHOULD.
Although rare, no one knows where crazy is going to show up. When it does, it's usually carrying a rifle. I have and do carry my LWRC SIX8 PDW concealed.
Absolutely. The design of this rifle makes it more compact and easier to be anywhere unnoticed and totally inconspicuous. I have to ask, what is the overall benefit, and does it outweigh the nefarious use? Other than gun enthusiasts who just like to collect, what are the practical applications? The ones mentioned in the article aren't exactly heavy hitters. "Oh, if only I had a smaller rifle so I could store it in a smaller box" I'm pretty sure no gun owner ever said that. Especially one who would buy a folding AR. The only reasonable one was the Resource Officer, but I'd be curious as to where they'd store it? I assume on them? If not, then why would size matter? If it's out of sight, it's not intimidating. The reasons seemed like a stretch.
As a high school teacher, you should be much more worried about deaths from fentanyl (105k in 2022), car crashes (42,794 in 2022), and suicide (44,449 in 2022). You and your students are more than 579 times more likely to die by any of those means than someone showing up to school property with a gun of any kind (332 in 2022). The sources are the FBI, NTSB, CDC, a website called "The Trace", respectively.
I won't deny your sources. When a student dies in a car crash or a fentanyl overdose, or even a suicide, does that student reach out to take 10-25 other students with them, maybe a few teachers, too? Sorry, Krush, but we're talking apples/oranges. Not only that, but this kind of shooting is happening anywhere these days. Could happen to you while getting groceries. Happens in church, so prayer clearly isn't doing the trick. Again, just because you can, doesn't mean you should or that you have to.
The problem isn't how people are killing other people or themselves. The problem is that people are killing other people and themselves. And the root cause of the problem is people. Banning alcohol gave rise to the mob and empowered organized crime that is still around more than a century later. Banning drugs has only made drug dealers and cartels more wealthy and powerful. Banning guns, on the 1 in 150,000,000 chance that someone might kill you with a gun at a school is insanity. Making guns illegal just means that we'd all be as helpless as the 1,200 Israeli civilians that were massacred by Hamas terrorists on October 7. My rights don't begin where your irrational fears and parnoia end. I'll decide what I can and/or should do. I'll responsibly exercise my rights whenever and however I fell like it. If you're that worried about being shot at the grocery store, you can either stay home and let your fear paralyze you, or you can decide not be a victim. Get armed and trained and take control of your own safety. I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy. And a criminal won't oblige me if I ask them to wait for the cops to show up before they attempt to victimize me.
You equate me questioning the design of one gun because of its use as the same as me questioning overall gun ownership. You need to do better than that. Obviously, as someone who owns guns and gets emails from this site, I’m not anti-gun. But I’m not a person who just moves with crowds, either. It is possible to have nuance in a conversation without assuming your rights are under attack. So far, I don’t think anyone’s guns have been confiscated. Women, however, have CERTAINLY had rights taken away. Guns did not help us fight for autonomy.
you should pay more attention to the news. In one report it was stated that 2 pounds of Fentanyl , properly distributed, could kill everyone in New York City. Yes it is that potent and a truck was recently stopped at the border with 200 pounds. I think it is just a matter of time before some group decides to use this in a drone attack.
Why aren't we dealing with events that HAVE happened and DO happen often? You're speaking of a hypothetical. I'm speaking of real events that happen frequently. I'm not anti-gun. I'm not Anti-2nd amendment. But I'm also not "whatever gun you can make or get you have a right to" because that seems unreasonable and also not what was intended by the 2nd Amendment, anyways. Why can't we be reasonable, stay focused on the topic, and address it? My concern is that this is just an easier way for a person who intends to take out a lot of people to bring a rifle into a situation he thinks is optimal for that goal. So far, only one person has responded to the actual question of why would anyone need this? And while those circumstances were in line, they didn't REQUIRE a rifle like this. So, I remain unconvinced.
I think it more fits into the survival rifle category than concealed carry. But if you ride a motorcycle or a bike often, then it works very well as a concealed carry rifle.
Was thinking the same & also for mountain biking or hiking back country - a folded AR instead of a 1911 in my backpack -- makes sense to me
Plenty of people would find a concealable rifle useful, including your school resource officers (who would like a long gun to go up against a school shooter but don't want to scare the kids every day walking around with a visible rifle. Or plain clothes officers dealing with what might be well armed criminals......
Interesting design, will it hold up after intensive use? Something like Hiking Folder rather than concealed carry rifle would have been more appropriate. Your reference is another polictical target.
I think I may have been caught up in the engineering, impressed with the repeatable accuracy. I didn't thoroughly analyze all the possibilities. Obviously, there are survival/hiking and other applications. If I'm allowed to, I'll try using this rifle for a training and keep piling on the miles for some follow up down the road.
It's the political implication for those who wish to restrict firearm carry. out best words are often used against us. As Concealed Carry predominantly implies carrying a handgun for self-defense, your reference could easily be interpreted as carry an AR style high powered rifle concealed for self-defense, or hidden from view to ultimately do harm to the public. I think terms like 'truck carry', or 'backpack carry' would be to the point and less inflammatory.
I'd like to see the upper and barrel sold by themselves so that folks can build their own in any configuration they desire.
That's a fair point, I'll be sure to pass it along to the folks at FoldAR.
They are sold like that :-)
Melody is with FoldAR, so you can bank on that answer.