Griffin Armament MKII: In Depth Review

| Last Updated:
January 14, 2025

The Griffin Armament MKII occupies a curious space in the firearms world, particularly for me as a reviewer. Iโ€™ve heard whispers of the companyโ€™s work over the years, a reputation punctuated by bouts of social media controversy and strong opinions. But more recently, Griffin Armament has honed its messaging and embraced a polished, professional tone. While scouting for Form 1 suppressor mounts, I stumbled across their MKII braced pistol, paired it with an M4SD-L suppressor and a Griffin 1-10x optic, and decided to dive into what this AR-15 has to offer.

From the first unboxing, the Griffin Armament MKII made an impression. Itโ€™s not just light but balanced, with a rigidity that suggests durability without sacrificing maneuverability. This setup feels like itโ€™s been designed with a purposeโ€”a firearm engineered for more than just looks. Letโ€™s break it down.

The Griffin MKIIโ€™s ambidextrous controls are an immediate standout. If youโ€™re a left-handed shooter or someone whoโ€™s tired of contorting yourself to reach standard controls, this setup will feel like a revelation. On the right side, the bolt release is a lever rather than the more common mag release-style button, which is a vastly superior design choice. The left side boasts generously sized paddles for both the mag release and bolt release. Even the ambidextrous safety selector feels robust, with high-traction surfaces ensuring a secure grip under any conditions.

The SN-ACH charging handle might sound like a random collection of letters, but itโ€™s far from an afterthought. Its low-profile design pairs perfectly with its aggressively textured levers, making it easy to operate while preventing gas blowback to the faceโ€”a feature youโ€™ll appreciate if youโ€™re shooting suppressed.

And then thereโ€™s the grip. Yes, the often-overlooked interface between gun and shooter. The Griffin A3 grip manages to merge nostalgic aesthetics with ergonomic functionality, providing a textured surface that just feels right. Itโ€™s a small but crucial detail that underscores the attention to user experience baked into this firearm.

The MKII features a 416R stainless steel barrel thatโ€™s been rigorously tested, boasting an impressive lifespan of 47,000 rounds in one test. After that many rounds, there was still rifling present. Thatโ€™s the kind of durability thatโ€™s hard to argue with.

The maritime receiver extension (buffer tube) is another thoughtful touch. Beyond the usual six-position stock/brace adjustments, it includes seven drain holes, making it a practical choice for anyone who might find themselves storming a beach (or just dealing with wet conditions).

One area where Griffin Armament has intentionally cut corners is the trigger. Itโ€™s a standard mil-spec unit, which might raise eyebrows, but thereโ€™s logic to the decision. Most shooters will likely replace the trigger with their preferred aftermarket option, so why inflate the cost with a premium component that might get swapped out anyway? Brand loyalty matters, and offering an affordable starting point seems to be part of their strategy.

At the range, the Griffin Armament MKII proved to be a performer. Zeroing was straightforward, and I kicked off testing with some CQB drills. These exercises not only gave the barrel a light break-in but also helped me gauge the firearmโ€™s ergonomics under dynamic conditions. The MKII excelled here, feeling intuitive and responsive throughout ready-ups, walking drills, and transitions.

When it came to accuracy testing, the MKII held its own. Shooting groups at 25 yards from a Bog Deathgrip tripod, I tried various ammunition, including Jesse James 60-grain soft points, Black Hills 50-grain V-Max, and Hornady 75-grain BTHP. The results were consistent, with most groups falling within the 1.5-2.5 MOA range. The standout performance came from American Eagleโ€™s 55-grain FMJ, delivering a tight 1.33 MOA group.

While the rifleโ€™s accuracy was commendable, I couldnโ€™t help but notice that the mil-spec trigger occasionally held it back. A crisper break could tighten groups further, and Iโ€™ll be revisiting this rifle with a match-grade trigger to confirm my suspicions. Even so, the MKII delivered consistent results, meeting expectations for a firearm in its class.

Adding the M4SD-L suppressor to the mix revealed the MKIIโ€™s thoughtful design for suppressed shooting. The Suppressor Optimized Buffer (SOB) and Suppressor Normalized Ambi Charging Handle (SN-ACH) worked together to mitigate gas blowback and maintain reliable operation. The high ridge on the SN-ACH effectively directs gas away from the shooter, making this one of the least gassy suppressed setups Iโ€™ve encountered.

The Primo gas block, pinned for security, didnโ€™t require adjustment during my testing. The rifle ran smoothly with and without the suppressor, handling the extra gas without a hitch. Despite the inevitable fouling from suppressed shooting, the MKIIโ€™s reliability remained rock-solid even after hundreds of rounds.

Returning to dynamic shooting, the MKIIโ€™s balance and low recoil continued to shine. Whether working steel targets at 100 yards or transitioning between rubber dummies at closer ranges, the rifle felt agile and responsive. The RailShield panel kit provided a consistent grip without adding unnecessary bulk, a welcome departure from the clunky rail covers of yesteryear.

The ambidextrous controls proved invaluable during off-hand drills, allowing seamless operation without compromising efficiency. Itโ€™s clear that Griffin Armamentโ€™s commitment to ambidexterity is more than a marketing gimmick; itโ€™s a practical enhancement that improves the shooterโ€™s experience.

The Griffin Armament MKII is more than just another AR-15. Itโ€™s a thoughtfully designed firearm that balances innovative features with practical considerations. From its ambidextrous controls to its suppressor-friendly engineering, the MKII feels like a rifle built for real-world use.

At $1,720 for the firearm, suppressor mount, and furniture kit, the MKII offers a compelling value. Itโ€™s not cheap, but itโ€™s far from overpriced for what youโ€™re getting. If youโ€™re in the market for an AR-15 thatโ€™s a step above the standard mil-spec fare, the Griffin Armament MKII deserves serious consideration. And if youโ€™re looking to pair it with a suppressor, Griffinโ€™s one-stop shopping experienceโ€”complete with direct-to-door shippingโ€”makes the process almost too convenient.

For me, the MKII stands out as a firearm that blends form and function with a healthy dose of engineering ingenuity. Whether youโ€™re running drills, chasing tight groups, or just enjoying the satisfying thwack of steel targets, this rifle delivers. And with a few aftermarket tweaks, like a match-grade trigger, the MKII has the potential to elevate itself even further.

In short, Griffin Armamentโ€™s MKII isnโ€™t just a rifle; itโ€™s an invitation to shoot better, think smarter, and enjoy the craft of precision shooting. If thatโ€™s not worth a look, I donโ€™t know what is.