KE Arms WWSD 16"

The What Would Stoner Do (WWSD) 2020 rifle represents a fascinating thought experiment turned reality: what would AR-15 designer Eugene Stoner create if he had access to modern materials and manufacturing? Developed through collaboration between InRange TV, Forgotten Weapons, Russell Phagan of KE Arms, and Brownells, the WWSD challenges conventional AR-15 design by asking which features are truly necessary. The result is a rifle that weighs just 5 pounds unloaded - nearly 2 pounds lighter than standard AR-15s - while maintaining the reliability and accuracy expected from a fighting rifle.

The heart of the WWSD is the revolutionary KP-15 polymer lower receiver with integral fixed stock. Unlike add-on polymer parts, the KP-15 was designed from the ground up as a complete unit, resulting in a structure that's both lighter and stronger than trying to replicate traditional designs in plastic. The lower features modern improvements including an optimized magazine well for PMAGs and D-60 drums, improved pistol grip angle and texture, ambidextrous PDQ bolt release, and M-LOK slots plus QD sockets in the stock. The 16-inch pencil profile barrel uses a mid-length gas system, and notably, there's no forward assist - a feature Stoner himself removed from his later designs.

The WWSD philosophy extends to the component selection: a lightweight pencil barrel provides adequate accuracy without unnecessary weight, carbon fiber handguards save ounces while providing M-LOK mounting, the JP Silent Capture Spring eliminates buffer rattle, and the SLT-1 Sear Link Trigger provides a crisp pull. Testing shows the rifle is remarkably easy to handle thanks to the light weight and excellent balance. Despite the lightweight construction, recoil remains manageable and the rifle functions reliably. At $1,700 complete, the WWSD isn't the cheapest AR-15, but it represents a genuine rethinking of the platform rather than just another parts combination. This is for shooters who appreciate thoughtful design that questions conventional wisdom.