SHOT Show 2016: Christensen Arms showcases new long guns

Among the offerings, the company has teamed up with Kyle Lamb and pro shooter Benny Cooley to produce a pair of carbon fiber barreled AR style carbines

January 25, 2016 02:25 PM •

The VTAC CA-15 is very well balanced in the hand and should do well for both speed and control.

Christensen Arms, a builder of custom carbon fiber barreled firearms, has teamed up with Kyle Lamb and pro shooter Benny Cooley to produce a pair of carbon fiber barreled AR style carbines, the VTAC CA-15 and the VTAC CA-15 3 Gun Carbine. Weighing in around 5.5 pounds a pair with 16-inch one in eight twist barrels, proprietary compensators and carbon fiber handguards, these look really good. They are similar in build but the 3 gun model will feature a lightened bolt carrier to enhance sight tracking and recovery and an adjustable gas system for tuning. Both are mid-length gas systems. They are very well balanced in the hand and should do well for both speed and control.

I really like the carbon fiber forend. It is trim and without all the rail systems that remind one of a runaway railyard going nowhere. In cold weather it should be better than aluminum for not conducting cold into the hands of the shooter.

Also from Christensen Arms are some new tactically oriented bolt action rifles with carbon fiber stocks and barrels. The ELR looks to be a winner for long range hunting, steel shooting or even competition in events such as the Precision Rifle Series. Coming in at 7.5 pounds with a 26” barrel and adjustable comb and LOP, this is lighter than many of the so called “lightweight rifles” with the non-adjustable hardware. The TFM, which stands for “Tactical Force Multiplier” features a detachable box magazine that takes AI magazines and a 20 MOA rail as standard features. In addition to the standard .308, they also are available in the 6.5 Creedmoor. The ELR also has long action calibers available.

After carrying around 14-16 pound bolt action precision rifles over the years, I can appreciate a rifle that will come in around 9-10.5 pounds, depending on optics and rings, yet still give me the same tack driving accuracy I am looking for.

Ron Avery

Ron Avery is President and Director of Training for The Practical Shooting Academy, Inc. and Executive Director of the non-profit, Rocky Mountain Tactical Institute - both training institutions dedicated to professional firearms and tactics courses, higher police standards and training and use of force research.

Ron is a former police officer with many years of street experience, which he brings into the training environment. He is internationally recognized as a researcher, firearms trainer and world class shooter. His training methodology is currently being used by hundreds of agencies and thousands of individuals across the US and internationally.

He has worked as a consultant and trainer for top level federal agencies, special operations military from all branches of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies across the US.

He is a weapons and tactics trainer for, handgun, carbine, select fire, precision rifle and shotgun, as well as advanced instructor schools, defensive tactics, team skills and tactics, low light tactics, arrest and control and officer survival. He is also a consultant for firearms training programs, use of force and firearms research, range development, instructor development and other firearm related topics.

For over 25 years he has consistently ranked among the best shooters in the world in national, international and world championship competitions, winning many different titles including two-time National Law Enforcement Champion. In 2002, he represented his country as a member of the first place, United States Practical Shooting Association’s “Gold Team” in the Standard Division in the World Championships in South Africa.

As a published writer, his articles have been featured in SWAT Magazine, Petersen’s Handguns, American Handgunner, U.S.P.S.A.'s Front Sight, Colorado State Shooting Association and other law enforcement publications and journals.