If you’ve spent any amount of time online, you’ve heard people argue about “Tier 1” rifles. The category is totally subjective of course, but some manufacturers have a stronger claim to the ranking than others. Let’s talk about what I consider Tier 1, and why V Seven’s Sovereign deserves to be there.
Pedigree
Whether I approach this article as an Airborne Ranger, or as a professional writer or as an experienced shooter with 30 years of trigger time under my belt, the same scenario plays out. I remember all the times I’ve sat with the most experienced and knowledgeable peers I have, talking about which one dream rifle we’d take into combat, competition or on a hunt. Which rifle alone stands at the top of the Tier 1 pyramid?
There’s certain manufacturers who have a bit of a cult of personality. JM Browning, Samuel Colt and Eugene Stoner are a few. John Noveske is a more recent example, but I’d split a hair here. John was the name on Noveske’s billboard when they made their name, but Joel Allen was the lead shop tech, knocking out the parts that were of such renowned quality.
Joel Allen left Noveske after John’s untimely passing and founded V Seven Weapon Systems (as well as Dark Hour Defense, and the feminine oriented LV Seven).
Pedigree established, even if Mr. Allen isn’t one for publicity.
Accuracy
When it comes to a good battle rifle/carbine/defensive rifle, we expect the top tier to have precision level accuracy. V Seven has always produced impressive barrels, even when they’re only 5 inches long. The Sovereign I was sent is running a stainless steel, lightweight profile (.625 inch at the gas block journal), fluted barrel. This is nearly as svelte as the lightest pencil barrel on the market, but produces groups that far outpace “good” barrels and keep par with most any other match barrel out there.
The first rounds fired in this barrel came out at MOA (Hornady 75-grain BTHP). Not bad for a break-in! Even the budget-minded American Eagle 55-grain rounds were coming in just over 1.5 inches at 100 yards. By the end of my few months with this rifle, I found a Hornady match 55-grain round that worked even better, dropping sub 1-inch groups at 100 yards routinely.
Of course, the barrel isn’t alone in working out great groups, the trigger is an essential component as well. V Seven choosing Geissele’s G2S trigger shows a commitment to maximizing the Sovereign’s capabilities. With a clean pull and a crisp break past the wall, this trigger quickly impressed me.
Accuracy established.
Toughness and Reliability
When we talk about Tier-1 rifles, we also have to talk about durability. Many manufacturers cut corners with cheaper materials, producing a rifle that looks tough, but comes in at a bargain price. There’s also plenty of tough alloys that are heavy as rocks too. V Seven is the only manufacturer I’ve seen that uses the toughest, lightest, most advanced materials, no matter the cost.
The Sovereign is absolutely run through with titanium (BCG, muzzle brake, buffer retainer, trigger group pins, gas block), magnesium (hyper-light forend) and lithium-aluminum alloy (11-position buffer tube). Strength is never compromised at V Seven, yet still they manage to produce the Sovereign in the 4-pound range. Shockingly light, yet highly resistant to physical abuse, corrosion, rust and whatever else a Ranger can throw at it.
Nearly a year after I was sent this rifle, I’ve kinetically unloaded about 2,000 rounds worth of mags. I haven’t cleaned this rifle in any deep sense, nothing beyond some shots of WD-40, a wipe down and an aggressive fingering with a cloth rag. Still no failures to feed, extract or eject. Four seasons of weather from a 115-degree day I really didn’t want to be shooting on to a few fun range days in the snow and rain, and the Sovereign still looks nearly new.
Toughness established.
X-Factor
When we sit down and debate the best rifles out there, one of the first questions I ask is, “What capability separates this one from the standard?” The Sovereign is running a built-in ambi bolt release, ambi safety, and the best charging handle I’ve ever used (ambi, both handles pivot, cylinder knobs, ported for excess gas).
The Sovereign is also showing off V Seven’s 11-(!) position buffer tube, which is teflon-coated for extremely smooth operation. No spring rattle here!
The Sovereign lower receiver has a nicely flared magwell, making hasty reloads even hastier and more consistent when under pressure.
Speaking of pressure, despite the excellent accuracy potential of this rifle, speed shooting is where I like it the best. The magnesium handguard, fluted barrel and overall light weight make the Sovereign handle like a dream. The titanium muzzle brake eliminates what little recoil 5.56mm brings, and the 11-positions of stock length adjustment means you’ll find your “Goldilocks” spot for length-of-pull and eye relief. Running multi-target drills with the Sovereign is like jumping into a Ferrari and hitting a race track. My only range-day regret was not packing another case of ammo.
Carrying the Sovereign makes me wonder why I even bother owning heavy-assed ARs. Those pounds are better spent elsewhere.
X-factors covered.
Are you not entertained?
At this point, what more do you want? The Sovereign is one of the lightest full-size AR-15 pattern rifles available, shoots groups as well as my best bolt-action rifle and is built from materials that will still be in great shape long after my bones are dust.
If I had to drag my old ass back into combat, this is the rifle I’d take, hands down.
My only two complaints?
First, I want to swap the brake for a suppressor. This isn’t an issue for anyone considering buying one, just get the barrel length you want.
Second, is the price. I get it, exotic materials aren’t cheap. Machining those materials comes at a higher cost, too. Fancy coatings aren’t free either. I’m not even saying the V Seven Sovereign isn’t worth it, it is! I’m just poor.
I review guns for a living. Lots of guns. I like many of them, I’m highly attached to a handful of ’em. But V Seven’s Sovereign… this one I feel so strongly about. It’s a highly functional machine. It’s beautiful in a way that impresses non-AR fans. This gun sets itself apart from the Radian, Noveske and Colt AR’s I’ve owned. You might argue that a couple other manufacturers are making guns this nice, but I’ve yet to see any that function or even look better than the V Seven Sovereign.
Remember that when your life is on the line, it doesn’t matter how many cool guns you have in the safe. What matters is the quality of the one gun you’re going to depend on for your life, and those of your family. Choose wisely.
The V Seven Sovereign runs $3,724. I’m not gonna pretend spending the price of a small, used car on a gun is an enticing prospect (or possibility even) for most of us, but for those looking for the best (and with the money to spend), in my experienced opinion this is IT.
Got ammo?
Ammo To Go is the ammunition retail sponsor of TTAG gun reviews. Get your bulk and quality ammo for a bargain by visiting their site.
Read more articles and reviews by Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or follow him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.
Read the full article here
