TTI/V Seven Harbinger Review: End of the World, Do-All Gun?
Today, we are looking at the Taran Tactical Innovations (TTI) and V Seven Weapon Systems collaboration rifle, the Harbinger 308 Rifle. This is an ultra-light build designed to be, in my humble opinion, the ultimate do-it-all, end-of-the-world gun.
However, we are not just reviewing this rifle, we are also giving it away! Thanks to the partnership between Guns.com and the veteran-owned small business Get Entered to Win, this very rifle could be yours.
Even if you wanted to pay the $4,000 sticker price, the Harbinger normally has a three-month waitlist. But, thanks to Eric over at Get Entered to Win, you can have your hands on a free one at the end of this giveaway on October 9th.
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These mugs are great for both coffee and whiskey, and each purchase not only gets you along with a chance to win this rifle, but it also supports a terrific veteran-owned small business.
Now, let's talk about this masterpiece.
video review
The Companies
Before we dive into the full review, it’s important to understand the history of the two companies that have combined to make the Harbinger. I’ve talked about TTI before in my other Taran Tactical video. It’s the "John Wick" company, and it makes guns that can only be compared to high-end race cars.
V Seven, however, does not have the same brand recognition. The owner of V Seven is Joel Allen, and he was the former lead technician at Noveske Rifle Works for many years. That pedigree alone should be enough to understand that he knows what he is doing. Since starting V Seven, he has built a reputation for making ultra-lightweight, high-end rifles.
Enough about the background, let’s get to the rifle.
First Impressions
There are three primary reasons I call this a "do-it-all" or "end-of-the-world" rifle – the platform, the weight, and the caliber. First, it’s an AR-pattern gun. You can hunt with it, compete with it, and defend yourself with it. Because the platform is so popular, many people are familiar with its battery of arms, and there are many replacement parts and accessories.
Then there is the fact that this is a super lightweight rifle. You'll have no problems carrying the Harbinger all day for any one of the three uses just listed.
Finally, the .308 is time-tested hunting and battle round. There is nothing it has not done. It’s also ubiquitous enough to be found in any corner of the world. If I were to have only one gun in an apocalypse, this would probably be it.
Now, that’s all theory. How did it actually perform?
Hitting the Range
There is something about shooting a .308. It’s a satisfying feeling. Don’t get me wrong, I love my .223 rifles and 9mm PCCs, but shooting big boy guns like a .30 cal rifle or .45 pistol is just fun. It’s nice having no doubt that you are sending raw weight and power downrange.
Performance-wise, this gun shoots phenomenally. It functions smoothly and reliably with its low-mass operating system. The build quality is evident when you pick it up. Because of the weight and balance, it moves and transitions very well. The TTI compensator really tames the recoil. It proved to be very reliable with all ammo I tried. We fed it a mixture to the tune of 200ish rounds across regular old Armscor to match grade from Norma and Hornady. The Harbinger ate it all up and spit it out without a hiccup.
I set it up in a competition configuration with a 1-8x scope and offset red dot. Then I ran some 2/3-gun style scenarios with a mix of close and medium-range targets. I think this is what it was really designed for, and it really shined. Making 50-yard off-hand shots was a piece of cake. I could totally see this firearm dominating in the Heavy Metal division of a match.
I also took it to the rifle range and got good results. While I wouldn’t suggest bringing it to a precision rifle match, I can see using it effectively on man-sized targets out past 300 yards. Even with this short barrel, a 165-grain bullet will stay supersonic to 900 yards.
I would classify the Harbinger as more of an experienced shooter’s gun. I say this because of its weight and power, not to mention the larger recoil and muzzle rise. While I’m sure a beginner would have a ton of fun shooting it, I would not think a novice would have the skills to use it most effectively. However, if you understand body mechanics and recoil control, you will love the capabilities of the Harbinger.
Accuracy
One note about my accuracy testing – the reticle on the scope I used was not fine enough to give me a good sight picture for precision testing. The reticle's lines covered my point of aim, so it was difficult to reliably hold the rifle in the same place every time. That being said, I managed 1.3-inch groups at 50 yards and 2.9-inch groups at 100. I’m sure this rifle could do better with a proper long-range scope. However, I’m fine with this because this is more of a run-and-gun rifle. I’m confident I’d be able to hit IPSC targets past 300 yards easily.
More on the Weight
The first thing one notices is the weight of this gun. The rifle alone weighs a little under 7 pounds. That’s crazy light for an AR-10. With my personal 1-8x U.S. Optics scope and 35-degree offset Holosun red dot, the package comes in at around 9 pounds. That’s nuts for a .308 competition setup. With a lighter scope setup, you could have a fantastic backcountry hunting rig.
V Seven did this by using some of the lightest parts available. First, they custom-milled the aluminum receiver set to take as much material as possible out but still retain robustness. The barrel was fluted and actually cut to only 14.5-inches long. A pinned & welded TTI muzzle device is what allows it to make 16-inch legality. There is an ultra-light dust-port door, port-door rod, and forward assist. The bolt-carrier group is low mass. The mag catch, takedown pins, castle nut, and QD endplate are made of lightweight materials. The buffer retainer, trigger/hammer pins, and even the grip screw are titanium.
The coolest lightweight feature is that the KeyMod handguard and buffer tube are made of a lithium-aluminum alloy! Lithium-aluminum is a 2000 series alloy that has been alloyed/infused with lithium. Current fifth-generation alloys, 2055 and 2099, are the most advanced aluminum alloys commercially available. They are truly stronger, tougher, and lighter.
Rounding Out the Build
Completing the build are a Radian Raptor/TTI LT charging handle, BCM MOD 1 SOPMOD stock, and Hiperfire Eclipse 2.5-pound trigger. Radian is my go-to charging handle because of its feature sets. And I’m in love with Hiperfire triggers. You need to feel one to see how good they are. On my trigger scale, this one broke at 3 pounds, but it’s a brand-new trigger and hasn’t gotten a chance to wear in yet. The trigger is super crisp with a great feel and a short reset. It’s a speed trigger.
Finding Stones to Throw
If I had to make some complaints, it would be that for a gun of this price I would like a little adjustability in the gas system to be able to tune the gun to a particular load. This could have been done with an adjustable gas block, carrier, or buffer. I get the argument that this would add failure points to the system, but I personally would take that trade-off. I’d also like to see some ambidextrous controls.
Conclusion
This is a connoisseur’s rifle, meant for someone who only enjoys some of life's finest luxuries. It’s not an inexpensive large-pattern AR. To really appreciate it, you need to recognize the finer touches, such as the hybrid 57-degree safety selector with Grade 5 titanium core or the buffer tube with internal Teflon coating. If you like features such as these, the Harbinger will pretty much handle anything you throw at it.
Finally, don’t forget you can win this beast of a gun! This promotion ends October 9 at 11:59 PM PST.