Alexander Arms is a company that is best known for the .50 Beowulf cartridge developed by the company’s founder, Bill Alexander. They also manufacture parts, components, AR-15-style uppers, and full rifles for their proprietary cartridge in addition to the 6.5 Grendel (also co-developed by Alexander) and .17 HMR cartridges. Only relatively recently have they expanded their product line to include the NATO standard 5.56 cartridge.
We were recently invited out to C2 Shooting Center to try out the new Alexander Arms 5.56 ‘Alexa’ AR-15. The ‘Alexa’ features a fluted, chrome lined, mil-s-11595 steel cold hammer forged barrel, 16″, 1:7 twist. The upper is a flat top with extended feed ramps, and an M-16 style carrier group, chrome lined bores with fully staked gas key. The model at the range had the MK10 vented hand guard, made of G10 composite with corrosion resistant threaded inserts spaced to attach 3-inch Picatinny rail sections. Additional components included military specification stock extension tubes, an M4-style stock, and a military style trigger. The rifle was also outfitted with Manta rail covers and grip sleeves as well as an ACOG.
The Editor of SSD first fired the weapon at 50 yards in the prone position.
The left target resulted from using an unsupported rifle. The right target resulted from the rifle supported with a GPS.LE Grip Pod. As you can see, the Grip Pod was very successful in assisting with stabilizing what is an already accurate weapon.
The Editor also practiced a couple of standing-to-prone transition drills, deploying a separate GPS.LE with light rail to stabilize the rifle while prone.
While our time with the ‘Alexa’ was brief, Alexander Arms seems to have a winner on their hands. It’s a solid, accurate rifle with a crisp trigger pull that makes a fine addition to Alexander Arms’ product list.
