POF has just released the P-15 BASE Rifle and as the name implies it has everything you’ll need to get started and nothing you won’t, like a big price tag. With an MSRP of $999, you might think the P-15 BASE is your everyday run-of-the-mill forged receiver AR-15, but you’d be wrong. While the rifle omits any frills considered unnecessary, which you are free to upgrade later if you choose, the P-15 BASE is feature-packed with the necessary forethought to ensure durability and reliability from the 100% American-made rifle. 

Receivers & Handguard

The BASE Rifle starts with POF-USA’s Mil-spec P-15 forged receiver set and 15-inch lightweight M-LOK handguard, both Type III Class 2 flat black hard-coat anodized for a durable finish. The handguard features a MIL-STD 1913 rail at the 12 o’clock position with M-LOK mounting interfaces along its length at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Lightening cuts throughout the handguard keep unnecessary weight off the front of the rifle, where it is most crucial for speed and ease of handling. 

What’s Under The Hood – Barrel

The heart of the POF P-15 BASE Rifle features the company’s E2 16.5” match-grade 4150 chrome-moly barrel chambered in 5.56×45 NATO with a 1:8 twist. The barrel is 5R button rifled with polygonal rifling for accuracy and increased velocity relative to that of mil-spec AR barrels. It’s finished with a Nitride heat treatment to Rockwell 70 hardness for strength, adding heat and corrosion resistance and expanding the lifespan well into tens of thousands of rounds. The barrel features a black Nitride low-profile non-adjustable gas block and mid-length gas system for smooth, reliable cycling and reduced wear on internal parts. Muzzle threads are standard 1/2X28 and the rifle is fitted with an A2 flash hider.

Bolt Carrier Group

The POF-USA Mil-spec Bolt Carrier Group features a Nitride heat-treated full auto bolt carrier with staked gas key screws. It is notched for POF’s patented nickel-coated roller cam pin, designed to reduce friction by rolling inside the action as opposed to standard AR cam pins having a square steel head that tends to grind away at the inside of the receiver. This nice addition ensures smooth operation and prolongs the life of the upper. The BCG also features a Nitride heat-treated bolt, extractor, and a chrome-plated firing pin. 

Speaking of the extractor, POF-USA’s patented E2 dual-extraction technology consists of four small channels cut into the chamber walls, allowing a small amount of gas pressure to push against the neck of the spent casing. This pressure aids extraction by breaking the seal between the chamber and casing, forcing it to the rear and relieving a tremendous amount of work that would otherwise be left to the extractor alone. 

Finishing Touches

POF’s mil-spec aluminum anti-tilt buffer tube features “carrier cradle” extensions to ensure the carrier is always supported by the buffer tube even when fully forward, preventing carrier tilt and premature buffer tube wear. This also allows the buffer detent to double as a lock, inhibiting rotation or loosening under adverse conditions. Lastly, the anti-tilt buffer tube also features three drain holes for all your swimming pool maritime operations. 

The POF P-15 BASE features a Mission First Tactical Minimalist Stock, the lightest of its kind, with all the functional requirements necessary while keeping the weight under 6 ounces.

Rounding out the P-15 BASE rifle is a Mil-spec trigger group, charging handle and an A2 pistol grip. Each rifle will ship with one 30-round magazine unless you live in a state whose membership in the union is questionable. In those unfortunate instances, you will receive a 10-round magazine. Prisoners of Kalifornia can also purchase compliant models featuring Juggernaut Tactical Hellfighter kits for an additional $20.  

While the POF-USA P-15 BASE Rifle gives you a lightweight and reliable firearm that can be upgraded at any time, I really can’t see much I would do to it other than add a sling, optic and light. Over the years I’ve realized that unless I am setting up a firearm for a very specific application, it isn’t necessary to modify or upgrade every aspect of the rifle, and it certainly doesn’t help paying for it right out of the box if you don’t need it. POF-USA is offering you choices here, but they are taking care of the most important aspects up front, providing you with an accurate, reliable, durable AR-15 with the longevity to perform after thousands of rounds downrange. I guess the word “base” is relative to which manufacturer you’re dealing with. 

To learn more about POF-USA products, visit www.pof-usa.com

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