Primary Weapons Systems MK114 MOD 1-M Review: An All-Purpose AR-15

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	Primary Weapon Systems MK114 MOD 1-M	Check Price

Earlier this year, when I was on the hunt for a new 14.5” AR-15, Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) kept popping up in my search results and was also recommended by a couple of folks as a great middle-of-the-road setup.

Thankfully, PWS was kind enough to send one out for review, so I’ve spent the last few months having fun with this MK114 MOD 1-M.

The MOD 1-M series focuses its design more closely to mil-spec standards but is far from being considered “entry-level.” It’s a hard-use line of rifles that won’t leave your wallet empty.

Who doesn’t love high performance paired with high value?

If you’re ready to step up from your entry-level rifle or are looking for a great all-purpose rifle, this just might be the one for you. But we’ll let you decide after reading.

We’re lucky enough to do this for a living, so we see a ton of guns come across our desks…literally. That means we have many options to compare almost any gun to and have the hands-on experience to back our comparisons.

In addition, we always strive for complete transparency. We don’t shill. If something is wrong with a product, we’ll make sure you know about it. Our goal is to help you, the end user and purchaser, make informed decisions.

I liked a lot about the MK114 MOD 1-M, which I’ll discuss in more detail later.

At its high level, the rifle is reliable and accurate and has some key features that help it stand out, such as the long stroke piston system, 1:8 twist .223 Wylde barrel, and adjustable gas system.

This is not to say that the rifle doesn’t have any cons or things I would change, but in terms of true flaws or dealbreakers, I don’t believe it has any.

Things like mil-spec controls and a lack of backup sights are quick and easy fixes that don’t negatively impact the rifle’s performance.

Once I had the MK114 MOD 1-M in hand, I didn’t waste any time hitting the range. Most of my shooting was done outside in varying temperatures, with one range session being indoors.

I made sure to put a variety of ammunition through it with a few different types of magazines and never cleaned it once (yet).

Reliability

I just surpassed the 500 round mark and have not had a single malfunction. Like I said, it hasn’t been cleaned, it hasn’t been oiled, and it’s rolled around in the dirt and gotten wet, but never showed the slightest hint of slowing down.

As more time and rounds are spent with the gun, we’ll see how reliability continues to fare, but at this rate, I don’t expect any issues to arise.

Ammo Used

The majority of the ammo used during testing so far has been 62-grain PMC 5.56 “Green Tips,” 55-grain Hornady Frontier 5.56 FMJs, and 55-grain Fiocchi Range Dynamics 5.56 FMJBTs.

I’ve also used a ton of random ammo from a spare ammo can I had lying around. Since I don’t shoot reloads or steel case, I can’t speak to how it handles them, but I would have high expectations.

Accuracy

Look, I’m not the type that wants to lay prone with a bipod and shoot one round per minute. I like to shoot quickly, transition between targets, and move around while I train. With that said, all of my shooting was done within 60 yards.

Within that distance, I was ringing every gone and destroying every water bottle and 2-liter bottle in sight. I know that’s not very scientific, but it shows me that for the most realistic scenarios I would face, I would be well-suited to handle them efficiently.

Reviews can go on for a dozen pages if you elaborate on every minor detail of the gun, so I’ve hand-picked several to focus on to give you an overall representation of the gun.

Major Features

Long Stroke Piston System

Easily the star of the show, the long stroke piston system is known for its reliability. Thanks to reduced blowback, you wind up with a cleaner action that is less susceptible to having decreased performance in between cleanings.

I don’t advocate skipping cleaning altogether, but you’ll likely be able to get away with less maintenance, which I’m all for!

The rifle also has adjustable gas settings to fine-tune gas flow, which works perfectly with the long stroke piston system. Again, this means less maintenance and more reliability.

.223 Wylde Barrel

This is one of my favorite features. Having a .223 Wylde barrel allows for great accuracy and reliability with both .223 Remington and 5.56mm NATO. Then, when you pair that with a 1:8 twist that properly stabilizes a wide range of bullet weights, you have a very versatile setup.

Forged Aluminum Receivers

In an effort to maximize durability and strength, PWS went with forged 7075-T651 aluminum receivers designed to mil-spec standards. This means that you’ll never have to worry about how hard you run your gun and will not have a ton of part incompatibility.

Minor Features

FSC 556 Compensator

Since I went with the 14.5” barrel, the FSC 556 compensator came pinned and welded, but I’m not even sure I’d take it off even if it wasn’t.

I do wish it was ready to accept a suppressor, but its goal of mitigating recoil and muzzle rise is definitely achieved. Beware: It’s loud – but that’s a small price to pay for increased performance.

Upgraded Furniture

Thankfully, many manufacturers are moving away from simply adding a basic A2-style pistol grip and mil-spec adjustable stock to their rifles. PWS decided to go with Bravo Company USA furniture, which has become very popular lately.

The pistol grip features internal storage for things such as spare batteries or cleaning supplies, and the stock provides multiple sling mounting options and a sleek, snag-free design.

Reliability (10/10)  

A whopping zero malfunctions to date.

Ergonomics (9/10)

It’s an AR-15 with upgraded furniture, so it’s hard not to be ergonomic!

Customization (10/10)

Just like most AR-15s, you can customize it almost endlessly.

Appearance (8/10)

Unlike the MOD 2-M line, this one is your basic-looking AR-15.

Value (8.5/10)

You’ll pay more than your run-of-the-mill AR-15 but you get upgraded features and maximum reliability.

As with most AR-15s, you won’t have any problems finding accessories. I wound up going with the following:

Primary Arms SLx 1X MicroPrism

I’m all about staying prepared, and with the SLx MicroPrism’s etched reticle, you never have to worry about being stuck without a way to aim if your batteries die. The battery life is still impressive at 25,000 – 50,000 hours off a CR2032, but I appreciate not having to stress over wondering if I have a spare with me, just in case.

The optic has a 76.5-foot FOV at 100 yards, 3.6-inch eye relief, and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Best of all, it doesn’t break the bank.

Radian Weapons Controls

Controls are such a critical component of your rifle that I always like to make sure I run some of the best.

To go along with the Radian Raptor charging handle, I went the Radian extended bolt catch and ambidextrous Talon safety selector.

There are a few Talon models, but I went with the 2-lever 45/90 option and installed it at the 45° short throw. It was simple to install, has a nice, easy but crisp activation, and is machined from Billet aircraft-grade aluminum, so it should withstand some serious use.

The extended bolt catch provides an enlarged upper and lower paddle, both with relatively aggressive texturing. It definitely makes it quicker and easier to release the bolt without adding much weight overall.

After these few months with the rifle, I’ve really grown to like it. So much so that I’m already eyeing a MOD-2.

With its long stroke piston system, forged receivers, and versatile barrel, this is one of those rifles I can see sticking in my collection for a very long time and filling any role I need it to.

If you’re in the market for a new AR-15 and are ready to step away from your entry-level options but don’t want to drop $3,000+, I think the MOD 1-M line is definitely worth considering.

At the end of the day, I always suggest you test any guns yourself, but if you were to pick one of these up before you do, I don’t think you’d be disappointed.

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.