I peaked way too early. Let me explain. When I started my foray into firearms obsession I truly believed that pistols were the penultimate tool. In my mind they were the most powerful, most effective type of firearm. I was blissfully ignorant about one aspect. The other I was not. While I love rifles, pistols are the tool that can be be on you and at the ready at almost all times. Even a full-size heavy pistol has more real world use potential to the average person serious about their personal protection than even the smallest rifle, SBR or otherwise.
In my first 8 or so years, once I learned the effectiveness of the rifle caliber I only sought out pistols and PDW’s/SBR’s. The problem was, back then we didn’t have the designs and technology of today so we were always hopeful that the next product would be the one to address the challenges of bridging the pistol, pistol caliber carbine, the PDW, and SBR. I can say that now, we are there and the Flux Defense Raider 365 Ultralight is that product. If only it had been available in 2012.
Magic Of Flux Defense Raider 365 Ultralight
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While it may seem as though it’s something magical (and I understand why you’d think that), it’s not. In its simplest form the Flux Defense Raider 365 Ultralight is a PDW chassis, not a firearm in and of itself. Designed specifically to take advantage of the Sig P365 product line (with a couple of exceptions) the user simply transfers his or her FCU (fire control unit) to the Ultralight chassis and with minimal effort and a few minutes—voila! You have a PDW that is insanely compact and concealable all while improving overall accuracy and usability. This results in an increase in hit potential when it matters the most.
The Raider 365 Ultralight in made from a composite polymer that is strong and lightweight. It’s combined with metal parts of S7 tool steel. This combo results in a very light package that you’ll need if you’re going to carry it (which you likely will) and it’s strong too. It’s not flimsy nor questionable. Instead it’s a very sturdy product that should last you a long time under hard use.
Regarding the size, the entire package comes in at some three inches shorter and a claimed 85% lighter than an MP5K, a PDW that I would have gladly made accommodation for back in the day. If I recall there were briefcases and other concealment options created for the rather large by comparison HK. No need for the Flux Raider. It’s diminutive in comparison so you can carry it concealed on your person, OWB and even IWB, which is crazy to consider. Dimensions when collapsed are 9.75”x4”x1.375″ wide. On person carry is possible thanks to a special and optional 2.0 holster that Flux Defense has for the unit.
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Raider 365 Ultralight Chassis & More
Beyond its small size the rest of the chassis design is rather impressive as well. There is enough clearance between the barrel and dust cover/accessory rail area for use of a suppressor—an important feature not to be overlooked. A longer, six-inch barrel barrel is available for purchase as well. The brace is foldable of course, and because it is a brace it does not qualify as an SBR although a foldable SBR stock is available as well. Length of pull is 13.5 inches.
This foldable brace is spring loaded and is deployed with considerable force by pressing forward on the deployment switch/lever on the right side of the chassis, this is accomplished with your index/trigger finger. A bungee cord puts tension on the brace just in case your deployment isn’t as “clean” as it should be and something interferes with it. At this point the user simply uses their hand to fully deploy the brace, but thanks to the tension, the brace isn’t left flopping around.
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An accessory rail allows the figment of a light and just behind the accessory rail lies what I consider a force multiplier. It’s a slot that holds an extra magazine and doubles as a forward grip. It’s patented and is referred to as the speedload system. Just press the lever to the aft of it and your secondary magazine pops out and is ready to be easily inserted into your magwell. In the case of the P365 and its high capacity magazines, this means you could be toting up to 50 rounds at any given time. Yes! 50 rounds! Now you know why I consider it to be a force multiplier.
What You Need To Know
There are a few limitations if you will, with the Raider 365 Ultralight. You can’t use just any P365 with it. The fire control units work but the shortest P365 slide won’t work on the chassis therefore you’ll need either a P365XL top end, TACOPS, or Fuse, like I used. I’d assume you can use your Legion too if you want. The front of the slide fits under a muzzle shroud to direct blast away from the shooters face and other important parts. Inside the shroud is a cutout for the front side to slide in out of during cycling. If you run a suppressor, the shroud is not necessary. It accommodates most popular suppressors, but not all. Do your research. This unit only works with 17-round magazines and up as well.
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Field Use
You may be surprised if you think you’ll just install the unit and run to the range and blast away all day with your new PDW. There is a use learning curve that comes with it. The PDW brace is not a stock so you’ll need to find the shooting position that works best for you. You may not want to put the brace right on your sternum either. It packs a bit of a wallop that can easily bruise you. I found running it out in my shoulder pocket was the most comfortable.
On the brace near the hinge is a raised area. It serves as a marker to let you know if your face is getting too close to the rear of the slide. If you choke-up too much on the Ultralight, you could easily find yourself or your eyeball in contact with the rear of the slide. Again, there is a learning curve and eye protection is an absolute must. But once you get used to the pistols going off that close to your face, all is well. As you can imagine its pretty easy to aim and becomes quite intuitive after a few iterations.
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I didn’t do accuracy testing with the unit. I didn’t feel it was necessary. It’s like 300% more stable than shooting the P365 in its pistol configuration which, by the way, is still possible with the Raider chassis. I got to be pretty proficient with deployment too and was amazed at just how quickly you can go from a low ready to “shouldered-to-fire”.
Verdict On The Raider 365 Ultralight
I believe Flux Defense has a true winner on their hands and it’s proven in their other models for the P320 and their P365 Aluminum version. This Ultralight just makes it more attractive and more practical. If you want to take the time to train to absolute proficiency with this platform, which wouldn’t take much time at all, and would be insanely fun in the process, you may not want to run your pistol any other way.
I have no doubt that if available some 12 years or so ago, I’d have one in my arsenal, opting for it when I didn’t need the deepest of concealment. Heck for a while I carried a Dessert Eagle if that tells you anything.
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The Raider 365 Ultralight is $49 for the chassis only. You can add other goodies to your invoice as well when you’re on the website.
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