Saying that the American AR rifle market is “full” would be an understatement. Every major gun company on earth builds an AR, and with numerous small niche builders in the mix, you find yourself in an ocean of ARs. Even among this vast collection, some rifles truly stand out. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the Caracal CAR816 A2, a rifle that, while not yet a household name in the US, has quickly proven to be one of the best I’ve ever handled.

Caracal CAR816 A2 – Piston Perfection

Caracal USA operates out of Nampa, Idaho, where they design, engineer, test, and validate their lineup of rifles and handguns. The CAR816 A2, my new favorite, features a modernized short-stroke gas piston system, engineered to meet US military and NATO standards for light arms and shoulder-fired weapon systems. These rigorous standards ensure that guns withstand brutal environments, including sand, mud, saltwater, dust, and humidity, as well as extreme temperature fluctuations.

Caracal conducts extensive testing for endurance, accuracy, and durability. Their tests often exceed twenty thousand rounds, covering both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing cycles. They incorporate shock cooling and ambient air cooling to guarantee the highest quality. One of their most extreme tests is the bore obstruction test, where rifles must survive after firing a live round with a blockage in the bore, such as water, grease, or even a solid projectile pressed into the rifle’s lands and grooves. This thorough testing applies to all Caracal USA products, not just those intended for military and law enforcement customers.

Chambered in 5.56 NATO

All CAR816 A2 models sport free-float barrel configurations and come chambered in 5.56 NATO. They feature slim M-Lok compatible handguards and a unique key lock system that secures the upper receiver, ensuring that any aiming device attached maintains a consistent zero. Caracal equips the rifle with a hyperfire-enhanced duty trigger, providing a crisp five-and-a-half-pound single-stage press and a short tactile reset. It also meets the drop test safety requirements set by both the US military and NATO standards.

The Caracal CAR816 A2 features the Magpul STR buttstock, available in rifle and SBR configurations, while the AR pistol version uses an SB Tactical A3 pistol brace. Both the charging handles and safety selectors are ambidextrous, allowing for easy use by both right and left-handed shooters. Additional features include an enlarged trigger guard and ambidextrous QD sling mounting points on the handguard and buttstock. The rifle boasts an excellent piston system that is easy to adjust, with a gas regulator providing three settings for standard operation, adverse conditions, and suppressed functions.

Range Tests

At the range, the Caracal CAR816 A2 impressed me. The fit and finish were excellent; I noticed no sloppy rattle, and everything felt snug. I mounted a Trijicon Credo 1-8 in a Reptilia AUS mount, quickly zeroing the rifle before putting it through its paces. I shot groups to assess accuracy and then spent the rest of the day hitting steel targets from 25 to 200 yards. The ambidextrous design shone during this time. Left-handed shooters will appreciate this advancement, and serious shooters will recognize its value when transitioning from strong to support side shooting, especially when needing to navigate around barricades. The controls are easily accessible and intuitive.

In terms of accuracy, I achieved one-inch groups offhand. While I could have gotten more precise measurements with a bench rest, that isn’t the essence of this gun. It’s about putting rounds on target quickly, and it excelled in that regard. The flash hider, while a straightforward A2-style device, performed its job well. Functionally, the rifle operated flawlessly, cycling three types of ammunition without a hitch: Federal American Eagle 62 gr FMJ BT, Hornady TAP SBR 75 gr, and Ammo Inc 77 gr HPBT.

Caracal CAR816 A2

Overall, I give the CAR816 A2 two thumbs up. It stands out as a reliable fighting rifle designed for serious use, and is built to last. This rifle is not an impulse buy for most, running in the $1800 range, which places it in the upper tier of AR pricing. My belief is “buy once, cry once.” I’m not endorsing Caracal, but after spending significant time behind this rifle, I can confidently say it’s worth the price. I encourage you to test drive the CAR816 A2 yourself; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

For more information, visit:https://caracalusa.com/car816/

CAR816 A2 Specs