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[Video+Review] Foxtrot Mike FM-15: Best Bufferless AR?

Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Banish 30
We take a look at the Foxtrot FM-15 -- an innovative AR-style rifle that ditches the buffer for a smoother shooting experience.
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    Are y’all ready to talk about another AR-15?

    Because that’s what I’m about to do, but fear not, today we’re looking at Foxtrot Mike’s FM-15.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15
    Foxtrot Mike FM-15

    While normally, I give you a big spiel about how most AR-15s are quite similar, the FM-15 offers enough cool features to keep things interesting.

    So, let’s dive into the FM-15, talk about what sets it apart and why you might want to consider adding it to your AR-15 stash.

    If you want to see this gun in action, be sure to check out my full video review below.

    As usual, be sure to head over to Pew Pew Tactical’s YouTube channel to see more guns and gear.

    Table of Contents

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    Foxtrot Mike FM-15: Regular AR or More?

    The FM-15 utilizes a unique side-charging mechanism upfront that eliminates the need for a buffer tube and spring assembly.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 MLOK
    It’s got a pretty cool charging handle upfront as opposed to in the rear.

    This is all while still being a direct impingement-driven rifle.

    Its build means that the rifle can be fitted with a folding stock, and it allows the user to fire said rifle with the stock folded.

    $971
    at Bud's Gun Shop

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Foxtrot Mike achieves this through the FM-15’s unique lightweight bolt carrier, which reciprocates on a dual-nested recoil spring housed entirely in the upper receiver.

    It interfaces with the forward charging handle via a raised portion on the gas key of the carrier.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Bolt carrier
    FM-15 bolt carrier and recoil spring

    The charging handle itself sits above a direct impingement gas system, very similar to what you’ll find on other ARs.

    The result, at least in theory, is the recoil reduction generally found on piston-driven rifles but in a DI platform.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Folded Stock

    FM-15 Specs & Features

    From front to back, the FM-15 utilizes a 16-inch nitride barrel chambered in .223 Wylde, which guarantees function with both 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington cartridges.

    It comes capped with your standard A2 birdcage flash hider — nothing fancy there.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Birdcage

    The handguard is free-floating, extending the full 15-inches to the muzzle device, and contains six M-LOK slots and a Picatinny optics rail up-top.

    Due to the side-charging feature, that Pic rail is just a tiny bit higher above the handguard than you may be used to.

     Foxtrot Mike FM-15 MLOK and Barrel

    As a quick aside, I’m thankful that even smaller manufacturers have begun utilizing handguards that feature 45-degree M-LOK slots as standard.

    Thankfully, the charging handle upfront is non-reciprocating, which means you aren’t going to sprain your ham-shaped thumbs if you tend to c-clamp the rifle as I do.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Shooting
    C-clamp…no prob

    I have some thoughts on the charging handle itself and the user experience of manipulating it thereof, but I’ll get into that in a sec…

    Receiver and Controls

    The FM-15’s receiver is sleek and modern-looking.

    It features ambidextrous fire controls with a shortened fire selector on the right-hand side of the rifle.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 receiver Right

    I find this feature quite useful for using my thumb to disengage the safety and my index finger’s knuckle for throwing it back on.

    You’ve got a Magpul MOE pistol grip in the back and a Magpul Zhukov stock fixed to an adapter all the way aft.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Stock Extended
    Zhukov stock

    Originally designed for AK series rifles, the Zhukov is visually strange on an AR. But the look has grown on me over time.

    Looks aside, I’m sure you’re wondering, at this point, how it performs. So, let’s talk about my experiences at the range.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Prone Shooting

    Let’s Head to the Range

    First impressions at the range are pretty stellar — even though my opinion was likely skewed by the several hundred rounds of 7.62×39 I had been firing through a pair of AKs immediately prior.

    Recoil felt considerably less “sharp” than one might normally expect for an AR with a birdcage flash hider.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Shooting

    Because I know there will inevitably be an angry comment that I’m talking about what AR recoil feels like at all…yes, .223 is by no means a chunky round. But there’s certainly a difference between firing an AR with a birdcage and one with a muzzle brake.

    To me, the FM-15 feels much closer to a braked AR than anything else — even with its stock muzzle device on there.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Barrier Shooting

    At 6.5-pounds, the rifle feels substantial without being burdensome.

    Though the Zhukov stock kind of threw me off at first, ultimately, I dialed the manipulation of it in. Once you get used to it, the system works decently overall.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Adjusting LOP Stock
    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Adjusting LOP Stock

    We managed to get probably ~600 rounds or so through the rifle in a day’s worth of shooting. It suffered no malfunctions to speak of…however

    I managed to induce several failures to fire while running drills on a barricade.

    This occurred when I inadvertently put just enough pressure on the charging handle to take the gun just enough out of battery not to fire.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Out of Battery
    Ever so slightly out of battery.

    But I’m willing to put most of the blame there on me.

    Once I readjusted my grip to stabilize the rifle in front of the charging handle, it ran just fine.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Adjusted Barried Shooting

    Let’s Talk Charging Handles…

    Speaking of, “fine” is probably an adequate descriptor for my feelings on the charging handle as well.

    It’s certainly adequate and does the job, but manipulating it doesn’t exactly feel smooth.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Charging Handle

    I’m not sure if it’s the charging handle spring itself or the tandem springs the bolt carrier rides on, but this thing sure does feel a bit crunchy when you’re driving the handle home.

    It takes a good amount of force to get completely rearward as well.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Charging Handle
    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Charging Handle

    Did it sour the experience for me? Not at all. I eventually learned to work around it, but just be aware, an AK bolt, this is not.

    It’s also worth mentioning that the charging handle can be repositioned so the handle faces downwards or can be flipped onto the other side of the rifle entirely.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Folded Stock Shooting

    But I found the stock position reasonably adequate, so I didn’t test the alternatives.

    As mentioned, the rifle can be fired with the Zhukov folded. And it does indeed ride at an angle that gives it just enough clearance to not obstruct your brass as they’re ejecting.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Folded Shooting
    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Folded Shooting

    We tossed a Silencer Central Banish 30 on the gun just for funsies, and it managed to tear through a couple of mags with no issues to speak of.

    Obviously, a .30 cal can isn’t going to have an enormous impact on your muzzle report; but it’s worth noting, this thing gets downright gassy when suppressed.

    So, keep that in mind if you’re thinking of going the tax stamp route with it.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Banish 30
    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 with Banish 30

    By the Numbers

    Ergonomics:4/5

    The stock and higher mounted Pic rail took some getting used to, but with enough time, the setup starts to feel more comfortable.

    Reliability: 4.5/5

    We had a small hiccup at the range when shooting around barriers, but I’m chalking that up to user error more than the gun.

    Customization: 4.5/5

    With M-LOK and a Pic rail, you definitely have options when it comes to mounting whatever accessories you want.

    Value: 5/5

    As a Brownell’s exclusive, you’re looking at a sticker price of a little over $1,000 for the full rifle – which is certainly cheaper than most piston-driven options floating around out there

    $971
    at Bud's Gun Shop

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Overall: 4.5/5

    In short, I had fun with it. And you might, too, if you want a gun that kind of feels like MK16 and an AK did the fusion dance.

    Conclusion

    I think the FM-15 is pretty cool for what it is — even if it feels like a lot of effort to wind up with a gun that you can shoot with a folded stock.

    Foxtrot Mike FM-15 Banish 30

    It does the job well in a manner that’s both sleek and functional and sports all the modern features you’d expect from a reasonably mid-grade AR-15 right now.

    Perhaps, best of all, it’s still pretty damn cheap. Can’t beat that.

    $971
    at Bud's Gun Shop

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Again, you can catch the FM-15 at the range by watching the full review below.

    What do you think of the FM-15? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Need help outfitting your AR-15 with accessories? We got you! Check out our recommendations on optics, lights, flash hiders, and even suppressors.

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    5 Leave a Reply

    • JC AXTELL

      Am I limited in what stocks I can use or can I slap the upper on a lower and rock and roll?

      July 28, 2022 11:12 am
      • Justin

        It has a self-contained recoil spring in the upper receiver, so it doesn't use the traditional buffer tube system. The upper receiver kits apparently include a 1913 picatinny rail adapter that you can use to replace the buffer tube. I think there may be some compatibility with buffer tube stocks, but I am not sure since I do not own one.

        July 26, 2023 12:28 pm
    • JAQO

      A grand ain’t cheap…

      December 9, 2021 6:05 pm
    • Jim Hovater

      It sounds like someone revamped the old Armalite AR180 and gave it a face-lift.

      December 9, 2021 4:49 pm
      • John

        that's exactly what I was thinking

        December 10, 2021 8:34 am
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