Windham Weaponry CDI: Setting the Bar High

Windham Weaponry CDI: Setting the Bar High
Never having owned or
ever shot an AR-platform
lifle, I finally succumbed to
the allure and decided to
review a modern sporting
rifle. The rifle chosen was
built by one of the newest
manufacturers
comoetitive
in a
9
highly
mAlket.
By
arl Wargaorn
lVindham lYeaponr1 CDI
a
6
Winihom Weaponry. loccted
in Windham, Maine. Even though this young
company
just
celebrated it's second
is over two decades of
anniversary, there
experience that go into the manufacture of these
story
rifles. You cirn read their inspiring
-
at:
www.windhamweaponry.com/content-meet o
ur_team.asp
.
When leviewing and evaluating any fitearm,
knowing how it's built is important. Anyone
reading this review familiar with AR-platform
rifles will probably find
it
boring. Others
of an AR-platlbrm
rifle for the first time should find this
considering the purchase
inlormatire and will gel insight for comprling
other AR-platform rifles.
How It's Built
. The Receiver is forged flom 7075-T6
aircraft aluminum and given a black anodized,
hard coat finish. The receiver has two pafts,
to as the 'upper' and
'louer' receirers. The upper receiver is un
M4A4 type flat top meaning it has a standard
Picatinny rail for attaching accessories. The
barel assemb!y and bolt assembly are
commonly referred
incorporflted inlo lhe upper. The lower receirer
contains the trigger assembly. tligger guard
(aluminum. not
pllsticl. islel).
muSJZine
release and bolt release.Thl. stock and handglip
are attached to the lower.
The basic receiver design is no different from
any of the other manufacturers, but that is what
makes it special. While researching for this
review, one person referred to the AR platfbrm
as an 'erector set'rifle. You have the flexibility
to change out parts like the receiver. stock,
hrndgrip. tripger assembly. sights. mtgtzines.
hand guards, bolt, bolt carrier, and so on.
For quick access to the internal mechanisms,
push out the takedown pin by the safety and the
upper and lower pivot open. To sepalate the
upper and lower, remove both the takedown and
pivot pins. The quality of rcceiver halves fitting
together is one of the filst things the local FFL
dealer inspected when the rifle arrived. He
pointed out that the machining of the upper and
lower mating surfaces and the tight tolerances
of the takedowr and pivot pins gave the CDI
upper and lowel a very good fit to each other.
. The Barrel is a typical l6" carbine length
with an M4 profile having a I in 9" RH twist.
windham Weaponry barrels are made fiom
4150 chrome moly vanadium ll595E steel
(mil-spec). This steel has an increased caLbon
content to add strength and durability. The bore
is chrome lincd to
e\lend\ barrel li[e und mlke. cleaning elsier.
prcvent corrosion that
The feed ramp at the back ofthe chamber is M4
mil-spec meaning that it is cut wider and lower
to improve canridge feeding under adverse
conditions from the magazine into the chambet.
. The Bolt is made from Carpenter 158 steel
and 8620 grade steel is used for bolt canier,
both of which meet mil-spec standards. Both
the bolt and bolt carrier are phosphate coated
and chrome-lined. The bolt carrier has an M l6
contour that is stronger and heavier than a
commercial grade bolt to ensure longer and
more reliable operation.
. The Trigger is a typical single action rligger
found in AR-platform rifles. The trigger pull is
about 8 pounds with a slight take-up. When $e
tri.cgel is rcleased after being fired, there is a
'click'as it
resets, com,non for this type
ofrifle.
while this tr igger would be suitable for
plinking o[ some types ofcompetitive shooting,
having a better trigger would definitely help
talget shooting results.
.
The Aclion is a semi-uutomrric.
gcs
impingement system. Gas pressure created
when a cartridge is fired is used to push the bolt
lssembly backward lo eject the spenl cxsing.
This is accomplished through a gas port in the
ban'el, a gas block on the outside of the bat.rel
and a metal tube running from the gas block to
lhe bolt clrrier. A gos impingemenl 'ystern is
not the srme as u blowback or glls piston
designed semi auto.
. The Safety on left side of rcceiver is easily
controlled with your thumbi rotate clockwise
for''file' and counterclockwise for'safe'.
Markings on both sides of the receiver indicate
the safe/fire status.
. The Receiver
Extension for attaching the
stock is a commercial grade that has a slightly
larger diameter than mil-spec. The CDI comes
with an adjustable stock. If you want a fixed
length stock
or
another style
of
adjustable
stock, it's an easy switch.
Enhancements
While manv shooters will stafi with a basic
rifle ancl tlren upgrade with afterrnarket
ellhancements, the CDI comes flom the factol'y
already equipped with six premiunr aftermiuket
better
the
enhancements.
manufacturer to know what accessoties wotk
best with their own firearm?
Who
than
. Magpul MoE@ Carbine Stock -This is a 6-
position
adjustable
stock that mounts on a
commercial spec
carbine receiver'
extension tube. The
sling loop will
accommodate slings Llp
to l-114" wide. The
Mapul MOE@
replaceable rubber
Arbine Stoch
butt-pad is over l/2"
thick. The maximum
length of pull adjustment is 3.8". A premium
chrome-silicon Iock spring provides positive
locking ot lhe rto(L in the desired positiurt.
(MSRP $60)
. . Magpul MOE@ Handgrip - The handgrip
lsaone-plece,r
reinforced
polymer
construction with a
stomge compaltment
inside the handle easily
the
bottom of the handle.
accessed
from
The handgrip has
a
Magltul MOE@
comfortable ergonomic
Handgrip
shape that feels good
and is complimented
with an aggressive texturing for a secure grip
even in less than desilable weather conditions.
(MSRP $21)
. Magpul AFG@ Angled Foregrip - Being
angled, this fbregrip fills the void between
holding the handguald and holding a lbregrip
0nio llalley 0utdoors
mounted perpendicular
to the handguard. The
angle allows
natural
for
FALL 20.I3
zeroed. These sights are covered by the
Diamondhead@ exclusive Lifetime Warlanty.
(MSRP $238)
a
and
comfortable hold since
the wrist does not have
to be rotated. This will
Thi.
Mapul AFG@Angled
Foregrip comes a replaceable piece to make the
(MSRP $35)
-rrip surface smooth.
. Diamondheadr! Handgulrd The CDI is
with
the
Diamondhead VRS Lll
10.25" Free Floating
Hand.guard made from
anodized
aluminum.
4t
3-shot
Enterprise Voftcx FIash Suppressor
open cndcrl flash
suppressor definitely
looks dill€rent with its
four-pronged. l5-
Hills
Remanufactured. It shot really well in the CDI.
Col-Bon Urban Response was a very close
secottd. Federal Frr\ion \.txs thc mosl con:,i\tenl.
Hornady results were nearly identical with two
diffclent loads. While the Barnes
degree right hand helix
twist. The Vortex
is
case
made from
hardened 8620 bar
stock and a
manufactur'ing process
that .rdheres to very
The big surprise was Black
Smitb Entefinse
VortPx flash.\unt))Pi
and
Winchester nray not have been as accnrate as
the others. they still averaged less than 2 moa
accuracy. Individuals assistiD-q with the mnge
testing coDrmentcd that the Wolf Polytbrmance
accuracy was equal to or better thaD what they
had experienced in other rifles.
tight tolerances. The thread pitch on the Vortex
is r. hcekccl on both cold and hot burlcls ro insure
a proper and secure lit at all times. The Vortex
is nirchined so that it seats on the shoulder and
6061
This
handguard extends the
Picatinny rail on the
Diamontlhaad"'
flattop receiver to over
16" ol continuous
lcngth. lt is a free
Handguard
floating design with a proprietary cltmping
system for a rigid, secLne attachment. Since this
handguard does not contact the bauel. the
is not affected. The design
protects the gas tube and allows fbr aiflow to
keep barrel coolel tb[ morc consistent accuracy.
rille s accr.rracy
The quud uonligurution nllour lbr ilc(e\sorics
to be attached on both sides and the bottom. The
Diamondheadrrr Handguard is covered by the
Diamondhead@ exclusive Lifctime Warantv.
(MSRP $r59)
.
tbr l0
All anrmunition produced very good results.
. Smith
cut down on fatigue
Foregrip
resulting in better
control of the rifle. If
yoLr don't like the finger shelf, the Angled
equipped
sLrppolt the rifle. The results
groups were as follows:
Diamondheadr'\r Sight
Systerr This sight
m]uzzle at precisely the same point during
rolirlion. The\e tight tolcrunees llnd lhe uniqlre
design increase the structural rigidity and
ensule the supprcssor will not come loose.
Smith Enterprises makes the Vortex Flash
Suppressor for the CDI since Windham
Weaponry's ba[els meets the strict tolerances
rcquired for propel fit and tunction. (MSRP
si65)
The Windham Weaponry CDI comes flom
the fuctoD uith o lorrn lined. hlrd phsric gun
case. a black web sling and an AmbidextroLts
Telestock Endplate that makes it possible to
attach a variety of slings, including single point
mount types. A Tapco chamber flag doubles as
a tool for [emoving the takedown/pivot pins and
il
tool [or ldjustine r-r indage/elevJlion on
scopes. These included accessories are a $40,
Xi50 savings over having to purchase tlrem
seprrltell. The CDI conre\ wilh one mugllzine
manufactured tbl Windham Weaponry to their
specifications.
Ii!tf,il
The best accuracy tesult
iol all of the
ammunition tested wirs wlren the CDI was t'ired
at a slow delibente pace. As the barel got hot
fronr repetitive or firster paced shooting, the
groups tended to open up.
As with any testing for
accuracy. the
variables that carl and will affect results are
many. A caftidge that peforms well in one
firearm does not mean it will have the same
result in othel l'irearms. The general point olimpilct can vary in the same rifle fiom diffelent
cartridges.
It's
obvioLrs that the Windhanr Weaponry
CDI shot vely respectable wilh ull ummunition
tested.
Accuracy At the Range
Range testing the CDI was done wirh two
objectives, check for accuracy and check for
Diam
on dbead
"'
S
ight
re
51 stem
system consists of the Diamondhead front and
rear sights. The Diamondhead front sight
attaches to the Picatinny rail and features a
proprietary diamond-shaped housing. The front
sight post is adjustable fbr elevation
and
interchangeable with any standard A2 post. The
Diamondhead rcar sight is also a proprietary
diamoncl-shaped aperture with reference posts
and trorizontal bars. This shape gives l"st target
acquisition and allows the eye to naturally
center the target in the aperturc. The rcal
apefiure easily changes between a small or
large aperture opening
and is windage adjustable
in .5 MOA
increments.
Since they both attach to
the Picatinny rail. they re
in the same sight plane.
Both the Diamondhead
are made with mil-spec
stainlcss steel and black
anodized 6061 T6
aluminum. Both sights
flips up when
needed.
fold down with the push
ol'a bLrtton, lock securely
in
place, and remain
Manutacturel
liab
ility.
In conversations with people familial with
AR-plrtfomr rifles. it sounded Iike 1.5 to 2.5
rnoa accura() with premium ammunition is
typical with a l6" standard barrel, not heavy or
target grade. The CDI far exceeded my
expectations and everyone assisting with this
review. This Iifle shot as good as or better than
some of the hunting rifles I have reviewed over
the years.
To check accuracy, the CDI was equipped
with a Leupold Mark AR MOD-I Tactical
Scope using a Mark 2 lntegral Mounting
System. A Caldwell Lead Sled DFf was used to
Ca ridge
Wt
Bullet
Min
Reliability At the Range
Reliability testing consisted ofusing
of
lnagazines loaded
variety
Hills
Remaruf.rctuled, Winchester Taryet and Wolf
Polyformance. The CDI was fast fired in strings
o[ l0 to .r0 r'ounds. stlines ol l0 with mirgazile
changes, double taps, paced firing and mndom
speeds. More than a thousand rounds were fired
over two days. There was not a single jam,
failure to extlact or failule to load attributed to
the CDI.
Since magazines are a key factol in the
functionality of any AR-platform rifle. testing
of how well the CDI handled magazines from
various manufrctulers was par't
of
the
evaluation. Forty-six different magazines fron]
Max
ll
diffelent
manufactulers
Average
(Ammunition
Components, C Products
Detense. Cammenga,
Barnes
VOR-TX
-J-)
I
2.4
1.9
Black Hills
Remanufactured
55
Soft
Point
0.5
1.2
0.9
Cor-Bon
Urban Response
55
t.5
1.0
Fusion
62
1.5
1.1
I6
Hornady
Match
75
Hornady
Varmint Express
55
Winchester
TaHet
55
Wolf
Polyfomrance (steel) 55
JHP
Fusion
BTHP
V-Max
FMJ
FMJ
0.6
Fcderal
TSX-FB I
a
with Black
I.I
t.1
1.3
0.9
1.6
1.3
I .3
2.3
1.9
2.4
3.3
3.0
Storage
D&H, E Laider.
NHMTG. Magpu).
ProMag,
Tapco,
Thernrold ard 30-yearold Army issue
magazines) were tested in
the CDt. The magazines
were polymer. aluminum
or steel constl uction. and
had capacities ranging