Curtis Axiom vs Kelbly tactical

[lennyo3034]

A friend of mine ordered an MPA complete rifle some time ago. It was advertised as coming with a Curtis Axiom action. After several months, it came in but with a Kelbly action. He was pretty disappointed because he wanted a 60 degree throw. That being said, he says he can deal with a 90 degree action.

Aside from the bolt throw, is there anything else he’s giving up with the Kelbly action? Any tried both an had a preference between the two?

 

[kthomas]

No matter what people say, he won't actually know until he plays with both actions side by side.

I don't see the problem, especially if his action is reliable and feels good to him. There's too much BS rhetoric about actions these days, and it's all based on how they "feel". Fact of the matter is, there's lots of great actions out there these days, the Kelbly being one of them.

Between 60° and 90° - the argument in support of 60° actions is that they are "faster" as the bolt manipulation is less. However, the bolt has to do the same amount of work to compress that firing spring in that shorter movement, which will make for a heavier bolt lift/close. That's physics.

The speed argument is BS. You don't gain points by manipulating that bolt as fast as possible. See the fastest PRS shooters - like Dave Preston and Matt B. - they both manipulate their bolts slowly and smoothly, yet they have some amazingly quick times on stages. When you manipulate the bolt very quickly, you increase your chances of a mechanical malfunction (short stroking, double feeding) and increase your chances of throwing your rifle off target by exerting more energy on the bolt.

For those reasons I think 60° actions are silly. I'll take a 90° action over one every day of the week.

I can understand expecting one product and receiving another, and thus being disappointed. At the end of the day, he will need to play with both actions side by side to determine whether that disappointment is warranted or not. Spec wise on paper, the Kelbly is a good action. I personally would choose it over a Curtis, but I would choose a lot of custom actions over a Curtis.

 

[Tony1320]

A friend of mine ordered an MPA complete rifle some time ago. It was advertised as coming with a Curtis Axiom action. After several months, it came in but with a Kelbly action. He was pretty disappointed because he wanted a 60 degree throw. That being said, he says he can deal with a 90 degree action.

Aside from the bolt throw, is there anything else he’s giving up with the Kelbly action? Any tried both an had a preference between the two?

I would send it back. If he wanted and paid for a Curtis Custom action I wouldn't settle for something else

 

[cageli]

A friend of mine ordered an MPA complete rifle some time ago. It was advertised as coming with a Curtis Axiom action. After several months, it came in but with a Kelbly action. He was pretty disappointed because he wanted a 60 degree throw. That being said, he says he can deal with a 90 degree action.

Aside from the bolt throw, is there anything else he’s giving up with the Kelbly action? Any tried both an had a preference between the two?

Atlas is a great action, I'd say roll with it. If he really wants Axiom, then MPA should correct it for him.

 

[shoot4fun]

It was my understanding the MPA switched from the Kelbly Atlas to the Curtis Axiom over a year ago in what could be described as a "running change". That would mean your friends rifle was likely an older build. I hate to say it but that would make me wonder where the rifle had been before they shipped it to your friend. Not trying to infer anything about the reputation of MPA because I see way more good than otherwise.
Having owned both the Kelbly and the Curtis I would say he is a winner either way.

 

[DangerRanger]

I feel like this same thing happened to someone the other way around last year.

Not really IMO. I have a Curtis now and my next action will probably be a Kelbly. Both fantastic.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Kthomas is correct on 90% on what he said. The Atlas is slicker than eel shit and can be ran at lightning pace (Keith Baker and Craig Thomason are perfect examples). And he is also right about speed. Running the action fast looks cool but that isnt the speed shooters should strive for. Target acquisition, position building, and movement from position to position is. The 10% I dont agree with is the comment about 60deg throws are silly. I hate busting my fingers on ocular housings and tenebrex scope caps. That's the biggest benefit of a 60 or 70 deg throw. Not so much speed. Impacts are some of the fastest cycling actions and they are 90s. The axiom and atlas are both kick ass actions. Before ordering an AI, I was in between those 2 actions and would have been pleased with either but I knew deep down that I've always wanted an AI and it was a perfect time for me to pull the lever on one. That's the only reason I didnt buy 1 of the 2 actions mentioned.

 

[lennyo3034]

Felt it this weekend, I actually liked it more than his Defiance and my Nucleus. Very slick. He is happy with it and is keeping it.

Turns out the reason he got the Atlas was because it’s a lefty and Curtis supposedly doesn’t make lefty actions.

It did come with the new comp chassis. With ambi bolt handle cutouts and no castle cut. The plug for the opposite bolt handle didn’t line up great and looked like crap. Had a different butt pad too. Overall, I’m glad I got my comp chassis last year.