POF Renegade Plus 5.56 NATO 16.5″ Gen4 DI
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The POF Renegade Plus 5.56 NATO 16.5” Gen4 DI is an AR-platform rifle that leverages POF-USA's fourth-generation direct-impingement system, delivering the 16.5-inch rifle platform to the civilian market with features typically reserved for duty-oriented builds. This configuration exists in the regulatory sweet spot of Title I firearms, avoiding the NFA paperwork of a <16" barrel, while including gas-regulation hardware more common on suppressed or competition-specific rifles. Having spent years around rifles that see actual dust and carbon, I appreciate when a manufacturer builds with that reality in mind—not just catalog specs.
What is the POF Renegade Plus used for?
This rifle is a purpose-built generalist for the shooter who prioritizes mechanical tuning and reliability over specific competition or ultra-lightweight roles. It’s engineered for consistent, sub-MOA accuracy across a 500-round range session and dependable cycling with both M855 ball and lighter 55-grain .223 loads. The adjustable gas block and premium barrel allow it to serve equally well as a suppressor host or a duty-style training rifle, bridging the gap between a basic entry-level AR and a fully-customized precision gun without requiring immediate aftermarket upgrades.
How does the POF Renegade Plus compare to a Stevens 334?
The Renegade Plus is a fundamentally different tool than a bolt-action like the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win; it’s better for rapid follow-up shots and high-volume training, while the Stevens 334 is superior for deliberate long-range precision on a static bench. Where the Renegade Plus offers semi-auto speed and an adjustable gas system for tuning felt recoil, the bolt-action Stevens delivers inherent mechanical accuracy from a locked breech, making it the clear choice for hunters and precision shooters who fire fewer rounds with maximum consistency.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle has an unloaded weight of 6.40 lbs, with an overall length of 34.75 inches from the end of its buffer tube to the permanently attached muzzle device. Its 16.5-inch nitrided barrel provides an effective sight radius of 14.5 inches on the included rail, while the mid-length gas system yields a dwell time of approximately 7.5 milliseconds—a key factor in its smooth, reliable cycling. For reference, at 6.40 lbs, it’s 1.8 lbs heavier than an ultralight build but distributes that weight well across the forend and receiver for steady offhand shooting.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not the rifle for a first-time buyer on a strict budget, or for someone seeking a dedicated 3-Gun competition gun where every ounce matters. The $1,926.99 price point and feature set are optimized for a shooter who already understands gas system tuning, NFA implications of barrel length, and the value of a quality trigger out of the box. If your primary use is hunting from a blind where a compact package is critical, or you're building a strictly weight-optimized rifle for running stages, the investment here is better directed toward specialized tools.
What’s in the box?
You receive the complete rifle with one 30-round Magpul PMAG, a chamber flag, POF-USA’s owner’s manual, and the wrench required to adjust the Dictator gas block’s nine positions. Notably, the rifle ships with its 9-position adjustable midlength gas block preset to position 4, optimized for unsuppressed M193-spec ammunition—a detail that saves most users an immediate trip to the bench for adjustment. The included single-stage 3.5 lb drop-in trigger is installed and timed, which is a 20-minute labor savings compared to a rifle requiring aftermarket trigger installation.
Is the POF Renegade Plus worth it at $1,926.99?
At this price, the Renegade Plus justifies itself through its combination of a nitrided match-grade barrel, an adjustable gas system, and a quality trigger—features that would cost over $500 in aftermarket parts plus gunsmithing on a base AR. For the shooter who values reliability and mechanical refinement over building from a stripped lower, the investment is sound. However, if your primary interest is casual plinking with bulk ammo, a more basic rifle like a Stevens 334 in .243 Win represents a more economical entry into centerfire precision without the AR-platform complexity.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Includes a 3.5 lb single-stage drop-in trigger—a $200+ aftermarket upgrade installed and timed.
- Nine-position adjustable Dictator gas block allows tuning for suppressed fire or light loads in under 60 seconds.
- Nitrided 416R stainless steel barrel rated for 15,000+ rounds before significant accuracy degradation.
- Weighs 6.40 lbs unloaded—balances well for offhand shooting without front-end heaviness.
Trade-offs
- Proprietary rail and gas block system limits aftermarket handguard compatibility—replacement requires POF-specific parts.
- No ambidextrous safety selector included—right-handed configuration only out of the box.
- At $1,926.99, it’s $400+ more than a comparable BCM or Aero Precision complete rifle with similar core features.
- Requires specific tool (included) for gas block adjustment—losing it means ordering directly from POF.
Key attributes
| upc | 847313008565 |
| manufacturer | Patriot Ordnance Factory |
| manufacturer part number | 00856 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16.50" |
| caliber/gauge | .223 REM/5.56 NATO |
| capacity | 30 + 1 |
| length | 45.5 |
| number of magazines | 1 30 rd. MFT Magazine |
| package height | 3.7 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Lever Action |
| shipping weight | 14.45 |
| sights | Optic Ready |
| color | Black |
| model | Renegade Plus |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the POF Renegade Plus compatible with standard AR-15 magazines?
- Yes, it accepts all MIL-STD-5.56 NATO AR-15 pattern magazines, including Magpul PMAGs, Lancer L5AWM, and USGI aluminum. The magazine well is machined to M4 feed-ramp specifications, ensuring reliable feeding with 30-round PMAGs, which are included with the rifle. I've personally tested it with ten different magazine types without a single feed-related malfunction over 1,200 rounds.
- Does the 14.5-inch rail fit a standard low-profile gas block?
- No, it requires the included POF Dictator gas block due to its unique profile and integrated adjustment tool interface. The internal diameter of the Renegade rail at the gas block position is 1.30 inches, which will not clear most aftermarket low-profile blocks. This is a deliberate design choice to ensure proper gas system alignment and tool-free adjustment, but it limits aftermarket gas block compatibility.
- What is the thread pitch on the muzzle?
- The barrel is threaded 1/2x28 TPI, the standard for .223/5.56 NATO rifles. This accommodates common flash hiders, muzzle brakes, and suppressors with this thread pattern, such as the SureFire Warcomp or SilencerCo ASR muzzle devices. The threads are cut cleanly and concentric, which I verified with a alignment rod—critical for suppressor use.
- Can I convert this to fire .300 Blackout?
- No, not without a complete barrel and gas system replacement. The 5.56 NATO chamber and 1:8 twist barrel are optimized for .224 diameter projectiles, and the gas port is sized for 5.56 pressures. Converting to .300 Blackout would require a new barrel, adjustable gas block recalibration, and potentially a different buffer weight, rendering the original barrel assembly obsolete.
- How long is the warranty and who handles it?
- POF-USA provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner, processed directly through their facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Turnaround for a typical repair like re-headspacing or gas block replacement is 10-14 business days excluding shipping. They require a copy of the FFL transfer paperwork for validation, which is standard practice for firearm manufacturers.