In the media / Reviews
2025
The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit (CCMU) walked away from the 2025 SIG SAUER Relentless Warrior Championship with another major win under their belt.
Competing against 126 shooters from the U.S. service academies and international military colleges, the CCMU claimed its fifth championship title in just nine years.
At the center of their success? Discipline, preparation, and in the hands of their top shooter, a 16” FoldAR Concealed Carry Rifle that proved itself on one of the most demanding stages in collegiate tactical shooting.
A Championship That Demands More Than Marksmanship
This wasn’t a casual weekend match. The Relentless Warrior Championship, hosted by SIG SAUER at their Academy in New Hampshire, is one of the most demanding collegiate-level tactical shooting events. Six mission-focused stages. Multigun challenges. Freezing wind, rain, and snow.
The Texas A&M CCMU rose above the rest, winning four of six stages, including every field course and the long-range rifle stage. They placed six shooters in the Top 12, with senior cadet Shiloh Lewis ’25 taking first overall—using a FoldAR CCR built to perform.
Why FoldAR Was the Rifle of Choice
When it came time to pick a rifle for the Relentless Warrior Championship, Shiloh Lewis had plenty of options. He chose a FoldAR—and the results speak for themselves.
FoldAR’s platform is purpose-built for reliability and precision:
- Patented folding barrel system at the barrel-breach interface for unmatched compactness, durability, and repeatability.
- Match-grade CHF 4150 barrels with QPQ Melonite coating for long-term performance.
- Mid-length gas system and adjustable gas block for smooth, consistent cycling.
- Guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy and return-to-zero after folding and deploying.
- Chambered in .223 Wylde to maximize versatility and accuracy
This isn’t a novelty design. It’s a serious rifle built for serious work.
The Coach’s Perspective on FoldAR: Reliability First
Coach Kevin Jimmerson, who has spent over 40 years working with the M16/M4/AR platform as both a shooter and instructor, offered a powerful endorsement of the FoldAR system after two years of hard testing:
“There are only two things that ultimately matter…accuracy and reliability.
Of those two, reliability is the most important. Accuracy is of little use if the system isn’t working.”
He continued:
“Designing in reliability is where most systems fail. Not just for a day at the range—but after thousands of rounds, in everything from 100-degree heat to below-freezing conditions. The FoldAR system is, in my opinion, the only truly revolutionary modification of the AR platform in its history.
After two years of shooting, I can honestly say this folding system is absolutely reliable—and just as accurate as any custom rifle in our armory.”
Coach Jimmerson didn’t just trust it casually. He put the FoldAR through serious tests:
- Mag dump stress tests followed by precision grouping
- Heat-induced stress accuracy checks
- Shooting groups while locking and unlocking between shots
The FoldAR passed them all—with no loss of accuracy, no reliability issues, and no functional failures.
“We train in 90-degree heat. That match was shot in freezing temps. And the FoldAR did what it always does—run like a sewing machine. And makes hits. We have the trophy to prove it. FoldAR is the rifle that did it.”
Built in Texas. Trusted Nationwide.
FoldAR rifles are manufactured in Henderson, Texas, by a veteran-owned and operated company that approaches firearms engineering with a mission-driven approach.
Often described as a skunkworks of the firearms industry, FoldAR has pioneered the first true concealed carry rifle platform, as well as the first true field-configurable weapon system (i.e. the “One Rifle”). It shows you can still get accuracy and reliability without hauling around a standard fixed-barrel AR.
More than just a compact system, the FoldAR platform is:
- Non-NFA configurations, legal, and ready to ship.
- Standard lower compatible.
- Tool-less barrel swap capable, making caliber conversions fast and field-friendly.
- Outfitted with top-tier components like the Nickel Match PTFE trigger, B5 SOPMOD stock, Lancer 20-round mags, and Magpul M-LOK rail system
Whether it’s for duty use, competition, or concealed carry in unconventional situations, the FoldAR Concealed Carry Rifle is engineered to meet the demand.
The Future of the AR Platform Is Here
Texas A&M’s win at the Relentless Warrior Championship wasn’t luck. It was the result of preparation, hard work, and choosing equipment that wouldn’t let them down when it mattered most.
FoldAR isn’t just a more compact rifle—it’s an evolution of the AR platform itself, offering capabilities that even custom builds struggle to match.
This is why School Resource Officers across the nation are choosing the FoldAR, now protecting over 700,000 students.
When you need a rifle that stows small, deploys fast, and performs like a full-sized carbine—FoldAR is the answer.
Looking towards the future, FoldAR invites all firearm manufacturers to explore options of integrating the folding barrel interface into their existing platforms.
Explore FoldAR’s full lineup of Concealed Carry Rifles™ at FoldAR.com.
2024
Drew at Beyond Seclusion gives his review of the FoldAR.
Beyond Seclusion
October 14, 2024
Reno May talks about a new law that is about to be passed in California and how a FoldAR can be beneficial. Check it out on X
September 23, 2024
This review features modern sporting rifles built by FoldAR. Scott Reekers compares the folding pistol and folding rifle options and has fun shooting both. Each can be easily concealed to carry in a backpack for everyday use. These firearms are designed to be modular; swap barrels, grips, stocks and more. Pair either platform with your preferred optic and customize it to your needs. Would you shoot a folding AR?
September 21, 2024
2023
Sean from Pew Pew Tactical reviews the Fold AR, a compact rifle that folds in half for compact storage. The rifle comes with a VIKTOS backpack and is designed to be concealable while maintaining accuracy. Sean demonstrates the folding mechanism, highlighting the barrel nut, gas system, and feed ramps. The concealed carry rifle features standard AR-15 controls, Magpul furniture, and a thin rail for accessories. The video includes accuracy tests at various distances using different types of ammunition, showcasing impressive sub-MOA groups. Sean also discusses the trigger’s characteristics and provides insights into the concealed carry rifle’s overall performance. Despite its price tag of just over $2,000, the Fold AR offers a compelling combination of compactness and accuracy. For more details, viewers are encouraged to check out an accompanying article on the Peww Tactical website.
Pew Pew Tactical
December 7, 2023
Sean from Pew Pew Tactical reviews the Fold AR, a concealed carry gun that folds in half for compact storage. The rifle comes with a VIKTOS backpack and is designed to be concealable while maintaining accuracy. Sean demonstrates the folding mechanism, highlighting the barrel nut, gas system, and feed ramps. The concealed carry rifle features standard AR-15 controls, Magpul furniture, and a thin rail for accessories. The video includes accuracy tests at various distances using different types of ammunition, showcasing impressive sub-MOA groups. Sean also discusses the trigger’s characteristics and provides insights into the concealed carry gun’s overall performance. Despite its price tag of just over $2,000, the Fold AR offers a compelling combination of compactness and accuracy. For more details, viewers are encouraged to check out an accompanying article on the Peww Tactical website.
Pew Pew Tactical
December 7, 2023
For years, Sebastian Gorka has emphasized the paramount importance of personal defense for oneself and one’s family, to stop a school-shooter. A sentiment echoed by Fold AR’s Ray Barron. Barron stresses the value of training alongside former special operations personnel to empower individuals to take immediate action rather than relying on external assistance. Fold AR offers a folding rifle solution designed for rapid deployment, enabling users to swiftly address threats. Barron highlights the increasing threat posed by assailants equipped with heavy weaponry, underscoring the inadequacy of handguns in such scenarios. With heightened threat levels, there’s a corresponding need for enhanced response capabilities. Equipping officers with Fold AR ensures continuous readiness for real-time response, seamlessly transitioning from backpack to deployment in a mere seven seconds. For those interested in training opportunities, visit Freedom Defence Training at freedomdefencetraining.com.
America First
September 22, 2023
Honest Outlaw
July 7, 2023
SebGorka.com
February 24, 2023
2022
FoldAR is propelled into the spotlight following the Uvalde, Tx school shooting, with the recognition that School Resource Officers need a concealed secondary weapon system capable of mid/long range engagements. FoldAR continues improving its platform with Bootleg Inc’s 4-way adjustable gas bolt carrier group and our forged locking lever.
2021
FoldAR continues improving its platform with Dead Foot Arms Gen3 MCS Folding Stock Adapter, as well as high-quality in-house barrel manufacturing.
2019
FoldAR upgraded its product line to include adjustable gas blocks and a paracord pull-lanyard to the locking lever for easier lever/hook disengagement.
2018
The FoldAR brand was created and launched on forged receiver sets and forearms, providing the ground work for long-term standardization of the folding-barrel AR platform.
TheTruthAboutGuns.com
August 27, 2018
2017
The Folding-Barrel AR15 is licensed to F&D Defense and released. All components of the XAR Invicta were designed and manufactured by Corby Hall [owner of East Texas Machining] and assembled and sold by F&D. The license terminated in 2018, and the FoldAR brand was born.
TheFirearmBlog.com
May 25, 2017
2009-2016
Corby Hall [founder of F&D Defense] invented and brought to market the “Bolt-On” barrel system, making barrel-nut attachment methods obsolete. Hall’s removal of the barrel nut in 2009 paved the way for a hinged barrel system to be invented in 2016. Daniel Defense later copied and erroneously patented the bolt-on barrel system now used on its DD5 product line.