First Look: Next Level Armament 6mm ARC AR-15

Available with a Helix 6 carbon fiber barrel in three different lengths.

by
posted on June 15, 2024
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
 Next Level 6mm ARC AR-15

Next Level Armament (NLA) has just announced its new Phoenix rifle, chambered for 6mm ARC cartridge designed by Hornady Manufacturing. The Next Level Armament Phoenix is built with a precision machined billet upper and lower receiver and can be had in barrel lengths of 16, 18 or 20 inches, each of which has a Helix 6 Precision Carbon Fiber Barrel and a Next Level Armory muzzle brake. Surrounding the barrel is an M-Lok-compatible, full-length 15-inch handguard designed in-house by Next Level Armory. There is also a B5 Systems pistol grip and stock set, and NLA builds these with a TriggerTech Duty trigger.

The Helix 6 Carbon Fiber barrel not only reduces the overall weight of the rifle, but the way in which the carbon fiber strands are woven and meshed with their adhesive resin is also optimized to cool the barrel and radiate heat, which aids in tighter groups in addition to longer bore life.

Phoenix Rifle Features:

  • Helix 6 Precision Carbon Fiber barrel
  • Barrel length options 16-, 18- and 20-inch lengths
  • Barrel weight: 29 ounces (16 inch), 33 ounces (18 inch), and 36 ounces (20 inches)
  • Ascend Phoenix billet receiver set with ambidextrous controls
  • Titanium drum safety selector with stainless nitrided plunger
  • NLA DLC coated bolt carrier group
  • NLA Ambidextrous charging handle
  • NLA 15-inch M-Lok handguard
  • Complete rifle weight starts at 6 pounds, 3 ounces

6mm ARC was developed by Hornady in the recent past to meet the needs of one of their United States Government Department of Defense clients. This cartridge takes the best of proven and flat shooting 6mm bullets and incorporates into a modern cartridge case that works within the bounds of standard AR-15 pattern dimensions, though its case head is not interchangeable with that of the 5.56 NATO cartridge. Compared to the 5.56 NATO, the Hornady 6mm ARC has the potential for making further shots while staying flatter in the air for a longer period of time.

Visit nextlevelarmament.com to learn more about the Phoenix Rifle or other products from Next Level Armament. 

Latest

U.S. Army Purchasing Additional Mossberg 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns
U.S. Army Purchasing Additional Mossberg 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns

U.S. Army Purchasing Additional Mossberg 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns

Mossberg has been awarded a contact worth $11.6 million for its 590A1 pump-action shotguns.

Skills Check: The Baba Yaga Drill

Note: Pencil not included.

Review: Heritage Manufacturing Coachwhip Shotgun

The new Coachwhip coach gun is prettier than you’d expect and more practical than you may realize.

The Classics: Winchester Model 1907 

Semi-automatic rifles firing intermediate calibers and feeding from removable-box magazines have been around a lot longer than you might think.

Martin Tuason: 1974 - 2025

The president and CEO of Rock Island Armory and Armscor passed away last week.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.