Live-Fire Video: Vltor VIS-1 M4/M4A1-Config Select-Fire Carbine

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by David Crane
david at defensereview.com

DefenseReview has received a short video clip from Vltor Weapon Systems that shows their VIS-1 monolithic-type (one-piece) carbine-length upper receiver/Mil-Std-1913 rail system attached to an M4/M4A1 Carbine-config select-fire lower receiver and being run on full-auto at an outdoor range. The weapon is outfitted with a Vltor Carbine/collabsible Modstock, EOTech 552 HWS/HDS (Holographic Weapon Sight/HOLOgraphic Diffraction Sight), and what appears to be a Surefire M900-series Vertical Foregrip WeaponLight (vertical foregrip/tactical white light combo). Vltor also sent us photos of the VIS-1 upper/rail system attached to a Stag Arms Stag-15 lower receiver.

DefenseReview first published information on the Vltor VIS-1, VIS-2, and VIS-3 Mil-Std-1913 rail system/monolithic-type upper receivers for AR-15/M16/M4/M4A1-platform weapons a couple of months ago (February 16, 2006) in our article titled DefRev Quick Hits 1 from SHOT Show 2006. Quick Hits 2 On the Way…  In that piece, we not only discussed what’s special about the VIS system (including how it’s made), but also what the "VIS" acronym actually stands for and what the word "Vltor" means.  Here’s what we wrote…

"Vltor Weapon Systems blew a lot of people away with their new VIS-1 one-piece upper receiver/rail system (upper receiver with integral rail). Actually, the Vltor VIS-1 is constructed of two pieces that are bonded together in such a way that it’s virtually seamless and super-strong. No doubt, the VIS-1 will be going up against the Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) Monolithic Rail Platform (MRP). The difference? The LMT MRP utilizes a proprietary barrel and gas tube assembly for it’s QCBS (Quick Change Barrel System), while the Vltor VIS-1 utilizes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) AR-15/M16/M4 barrels and gas tubes. According to Vltor, the VIS-1’s barrel-swap procedure for its quick-change barrel system is comparable in speed to the LMT MRP Quick-Change Barrel System (QCBS).

The VIS-1 is a hot system, and anyone looking for a "monolithic"-type setup should definitely give it serious consideration, along with the LMT MRP, which is also excellent. By the way, the “VIS” in “VIS-1” stands for two things: 1) Versatile Interface Structure, and 2) In Latin, VIS means "force" or "to use force". While we’re on the subject of Latin, Vltor (pronounced “Ooltor”) means "revenge", "avenger" or "vengeance". The "1" designation in “VIS-1” is for Vltor’s carbine series. Vltor’s mid-length series will be called VIS-2, and their rifle-length series will be designated “VIS-3”.  The process Vltor uses for bonding the two pieces of the upper receiver into one piece is salt dip brazing, which utilizes a molten salt vat.  According to Eric Kincel, salt dip brazing is a dying art form.  It creates a one-piece unit that has the same strength and rigidity as solid piece of aluminum. The mating joint (bonded surfaces) are actually stronger than the parent metal (parent material)."


Vltor VIS-1 Video Clip Download Instructions:

Right-Click here and then click on "Save Target As" (if using Microsoft Internet Explorer browser) or "Save Link As" (if using Mozilla Firefox browser) to download and view the Vltor Weapon Systems VIS-1 live-fire video clip.

If you’d like to get more info on the Vltor VIS-series one-piece upper receiver/Mil-Std-1913 rail system, you can contact Vltor Weapon Systems, Phone: 520-408-1944, Fax: 520-293-8807, Email: contact@vltor.com. Ask for Eric Kincel.

Additional Vltor VIS-1 Photos (Click on photos below to view them full-size.):

Live-Fire Video: Vltor VIS-1 M4/M4A1-Config Select-Fire Carbine by

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

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