Sons of Liberty Gun Works Broadsword M89 6MM Max 14.5″ Pinned
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About this product
What is the Sons of Liberty Gun Works Broadsword M89 6MM Max 14.5″ Pinned? This is an AR-platform precision rifle chambered in the modern 6MM Max cartridge, specifically built with a 14.5-inch barrel permanently pinned to a muzzle device that creates a 16-inch overall length (OAL) to maintain federal Title I "rifle" status without NFA registration. It arrives from the factory with B5 Systems furniture, a black anodized finish, and two 20-round magazines, providing a turnkey solution for intermediate-range target shooting and competition use. The platform represents a focused application of AR-15 mechanical architecture to a cartridge designed for superior ballistic coefficient over traditional 5.56 NATO.
What is the Sons of Liberty Gun Works M89 used for?
This rifle is purpose-built for precision intermediate range shooting, primarily within 600 yards, where the 6MM Max cartridge's high ballistic coefficient reduces wind drift and maintains velocity better than 5.56 NATO. The 14.5″ pinned barrel configuration provides a handier platform than a full 20″ precision barrel while still allowing sufficient velocity for the cartridge's performance, making it ideal for practical/tactical competition stages or target shooting sessions where maneuverability matters. It is not a benchrest rifle, but rather a system optimized for dynamic shooting positions where a balance of accuracy, handling speed, and terminal ballistics is required.
How does the Broadsword M89 compare to the Stevens 334 in .243 Win?
The Broadsword M89 provides a rapid, semi-automatic follow-up shot capability that a bolt-action rifle like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win cannot match, with a practical rate of fire limited only by the shooter's trigger finger and a 2.5-second magazine change. Where the Stevens 334 will likely hold a slight mechanical accuracy edge from its rigid bolt-action design and free-floated barrel, the M89's AR platform offers vastly superior ergonomic modularity, accessory mounting options via its full-length Picatinny rail, and the ability to engage multiple targets quickly. The 6MM Max also uses lighter, higher-BC projectiles than the .243 Win, typically generating less recoil energy—approximately 14 ft-lbs versus 18 ft-lbs—for faster visual recovery between shots.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle has an overall length of 35.5 inches from the fully extended B5 Bravo stock to the pinned muzzle device and weighs 7.8 pounds unloaded, which is 1.2 pounds heavier than a comparable 5.56 NATO AR due to the heavier-profile 4150 chrome-moly steel barrel. The 14.5-inch barrel with its permanently attached muzzle device brings the legal OAL to exactly 16.0 inches, and the handguard measures 13.0 inches, providing ample real estate for a forward grip and supporting hand placement. The balance point is just forward of the magazine well, making it feel slightly muzzle-heavy when compared to a 16-inch pencil-barrel build but aiding in steady hold for offhand shots.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not suitable for first-time AR platform buyers or shooters on a tight ammunition budget, as 6MM Max factory ammunition retails between $1.80 and $2.50 per round compared to $0.55 for 5.56 NATO. It is also a poor choice for hunters in states with magazine capacity restrictions, as it ships with 20-round PMAGs, and its optimal ballistic performance window begins outside typical brush-country deer ranges. Finally, if your primary interest is in collecting or shooting historic military-pattern firearms, this modern, purpose-built precision tool will hold little appeal compared to a more traditional platform.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete rifle with the B5 Bravo stock and B5 Type 23 grip installed, two Magpul PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 6MM ARC magazines (20-round capacity each), a standard mil-spec trigger group, and the operator's manual. Notably absent is any form of optic, sling, or magazine loader—common accessories required to make the rifle field-ready. The muzzle device is a SOLGW NOX keymount flash hider/compsator hybrid, pinned and welded to the barrel crown with a single 0.125-inch-diameter steel pin, which cannot be removed without professional gunsmithing work.
Is the Sons of Liberty Gun Works M89 worth it at $2,185?
Yes, if you require a legally-compliant, factory-built precision AR that avoids NFA paperwork and delivers modern cartridge performance out of the box. The price reflects the quality of the components—a matched bolt carrier group, a cold-hammer-forged barrel with a 1:7.5 twist rate optimized for 105-108 grain projectiles, and the permanent compliance work—which would cost significantly more to assemble piecemeal. At this price point, you are paying for a specialized tool with a specific mission profile, not a general-purpose rifle; for a more versatile, economical all-rounder, a 5.56 NATO AR-platform rifle or a traditional bolt-action like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win would be a better value.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Pinned 14.5" barrel achieves legal 16" OAL—avoids NFA $200 tax stamp and 9-month wait.
- Weighs 7.8 lbs unloaded—1.2 lbs lighter than many 18" precision AR builds in 6.5 Creedmoor.
- Includes two 20-round PMAGs (value $50) and premium B5 Bravo stock ($70 value) installed.
- 4150 CMV barrel has 1:7.5 twist rate, optimized for stabilizing heavy 105-108 grain 6MM projectiles.
Trade-offs
- 6MM Max ammunition costs $1.80-$2.50 per round—over 3x the cost of practice 5.56 NATO.
- NOX muzzle device is permanently attached—cannot change muzzle devices without barrel replacement.
- Requires specific, more expensive LR/SR pattern magazines—standard AR mags are incompatible.
- No optic, sling, or irons included—adds minimum $300+ to become operational.
Key attributes
| upc | 644625400342 |
| manufacturer | Sons of Liberty Gun Works |
| manufacturer part number | BROADSWORD-89-6MAX-14.5 |
| product type | AR |
| model | Broadsword |
| color | Black |
| capacity | 20 |
| caliber/gauge | 6MM Max |
| barrel length | 14.5" Pinned (16" OAL) |
| action | Semi-Auto |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the pinned muzzle device compatible with a suppressor?
- Yes, the installed NOX muzzle device uses a Dead Air KeyMo mounting system, so it is directly compatible with any suppressor featuring a KeyMo adapter, such as the Dead Air Sandman-S or Nomad series. The 0.125-inch pin is welded flush and does not interfere with suppressor attachment. You cannot mount a direct-thread suppressor without first having a qualified gunsmith remove the pinned device, which requires cutting or drilling and voids the barrel warranty.
- Does this rifle work with standard AR-15 magazines?
- No, the 6MM Max cartridge requires specific magazines due to its different case taper and longer overall length compared to 5.56/.223 Remington. This rifle ships with and is designed to function with Magpul PMAG 20 LR/SR GEN M3 magazines, which are also compatible with 6.5 Grendel and 6MM ARC. Attempting to use standard AR-15 STANAG magazines will result in failures to feed and potential cartridge jamming.
- What optic mount is required for the upper receiver?
- The upper features a continuous Picatinny rail (MIL-STD-1913) across its entire length, so any standard one-inch or 30mm scope ring with a Picatinny clamp will mount directly. I recommend a one-piece cantilever mount with at least 2 inches of forward offset, like the American Defense Manufacturing Recon-H or the Vortex Precision Extended, to achieve proper eye relief with modern magnified optics. The rail is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and accepts torque up to 65 inch-pounds on mounting screws.
- How long does standard shipping take to an FFL?
- Once the order is processed and your selected FFL's license is verified, Ironclad Armory ships via FedEx 2Day to most continental US locations, with transit typically taking 2-3 business days. The entire process from order to FFL notification averages 5-7 business days, excluding state-mandated waiting periods which are handled by your local dealer. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, or remote areas may add 3-5 additional business days.