Not everyone has legal access to/desire for a NFA SBR rifle. Likewise, changing braced pistol regulations makes some nervous. However, the Dark Storm Industries (DSI) DS-15 Non-NFA Firearm Typhoon may well be the closest they can get to achieving such firepower in such a compact package.
The Dark Storm Industries DS-15 Typhoon
A weapon like the DSI DS-15 Typhoon has its own advantages in portability and discreteness that are hard to resist. Most individuals struggle with the balancing of a weapon carried versus concealability.
Time spent with DSI’s Ed Newman at the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous in Idaho confirmed what many of us instinctually know about the growing trend of non-typical weapons patterned off AR-like rifles.
Specifically, models stemming from what was typically associated with rifle pattern weapons via removing the buttstock. AR-type weapons dominate this genre.
BATF Compliant
While many will have a wry smile cross their face, the DS-15 Non-NFA Firearm Typhoon is compliant with BATF regulations. Dark Storm Industries website does a good job of explaining nuances between Non-NFA Typhoon, AR pistols, and SBRs.
In short, the DS-15 Non-NFA Typhoon is not a rifle. It does not have a stock and is not designed to be fired from the shoulder. It’s also not a pistol. It has a barrel length of 12.5 inches and features a forward vertical grip, as it’s designed to be fired with two hands. Finally, it is not an AOW. This firearm has an overall length greater than 26 inches, is not designed to be fired from the shoulder, and features a forward vertical grip.
The need to use such convoluted terminology with the DS-15 Non-NFA Typhoon is a sign of the times. Specifically due to the regulatory mess created by the BATF. Potential users should not view the DS-15 Typhoon as a cool novelty loophole to get around regulations. But rather, a serious contender for home and personal protection.
The DS-15 Typhoon is an ideal candidate with its firepower while still allowing for a modicum of discrete carry. All combined with superior accuracy, flight, and terminal ballistics.
DSI’s choice of a 12.5-inch barrel may confuse some. Why not go shorter for even more compactness? Multiple factors are at play here. Non-NFA parameters require an overall length of over 26 inches. The 12.5-inch barrel conserves direct impingement reliability as well as maintains a semblance of rifle-like ballistics.
The DS15’s 12.5-inch barrel length also alleviates many complications associated with suppressor use impacting function. Ultra-short barrels (sub-10-inch) can be problematic with suppressor use due to the resultant increase in back pressure/bolt group velocity.
The DSI DSS-15 Non-NFA Typhoon PDW
Considering DSI DS-15 Non-NFA Typhoon for anything beyond recreational use, it would be best to view it through a PDW (personal defense weapon) lens. The DS-15 Typhoon is just as compact as a SBR. And with training, it can be operated as a very effective PDW.
The 12.5-inch barrel produces approximately 2350-2680 fps velocities depending on bullet weight and manufacturers chosen. CQB/Direct Action and personal security detail operations are the realm of PDWs. A near-perfect analogy to the civilian personal defense realm.
The DS-15 Typhoon is more potent and offers a longer effective range than a standard pistol when trained to use properly, appreciate its nuances, and set up correctly.
DSI created the DS-15 Non-NFA Typhoon as the ideal choice for users needing maximum firepower in a condensed package. The thought process with the DS-15 Typhoon was to create a lightweight, simple-to-operate AR rifle similar to Eugene Stoner’s original concept.
The flexibility to offer .300BLK chambering is a nod to the realism that 5.56mm is no longer the only viable chambering option. DS-15 Typhoon features are intended for maximizing effectiveness during a fight or realistic training on the range.
These features include:
- Billet aluminum receiver
- Hard coat anodizing
- DSI Chinook ambi charging handle
- Ambi safety selector
- 10-inch MLOK handguard
- DSI steel micro gas block
- Carbine length gas system
- DSI Firestorm compensator
- SB Tactical SBA3 brace
- Hogue pistol grip
- Magpul VFG
- Etc.
The Dark Storm DS-15 Non-NFA Typhoon is intended for serious practitioners who plan on using it for patrolling, training, or defense. A return to AR basics such as lightweight, great handling with potent firepower is often the answer for most defensive situations. DSI offers such a platform with its Non-NFA Typhoon.
For more information, please visit Dark-Storm.com.
Dark Storm Industries DS-15 Typhoon Specs
Caliber: 5.56MM (also available .300BLK)
Barrel: 12.5-inch 1:7RH twist
Overall Length: 28.75-31.5 inches
Weight: 6.1
Sights: Flattop Picatinny rail
Action: Semi-automatic direct impingement
Capacity: 30 round Magpul
MSRP: $1495
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