Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch is well known in the firearm community, not just because of his tours in Vietnam, Law Enforcement or SWAT experience, but due to him having been one of the corner stones of the training community for a long time. Clint contacted Noveske Rifleworks and worked with John Noveske to build an ultimate carbine, one obviously designed to his specs.
We had a chance to handle the Thunder Ranch carbine, and found it handled and balanced extremely well. The light weight 14.5" barrel (pinned Vortex makes it a legal 16" barrel) and light weight handguard aid in the overall feel, and the weapon points on target quickly. Personally, I think it would be a shame to load the rail up with pointless add-ons, something like a Surefire X300 light, and a small VFG (Vertical Foregrip) would be as much as I would throw on the rail. Shown below is the DBAL and Aimpoint T-1 in an ADM mount, which doesn't offset the balance. These two items obviously aren't coming on the carbine, but they were on the model we played around with.
Features like the Gen II N4 lower receiver , PRI Charging Handle, Troy BUIS, N4 barrel (made from M249 steel and heavy chrome lining) and MUR upper receiver show this is a well laid out carbine, and not just a name slapped on a weapon.
Check out the Noveske Rifleworks website for additional information and specs.
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