Radical Arms vs ATI OMNI Hybrid AR-15: A Comparison Review

When it comes to AR-15 rifles, the options are as vast as a buffet at a Vegas casino. Each manufacturer adds its unique twist to the classic design, hoping to stand out in a crowded market. Some stick to tried-and-true formulas, while others, like ATI with their OMNI Hybrid, venture into innovative territories with things like polymer receivers.

The first time I heard of a polymer AR receiver, I was skeptical but also intrigued. I’ve kept an eye on the OMNI Hybrid for a while and recently found one on sale, so I picked it up. With modern machinery, it’s easier and cheaper for companies to produce quality Mil-Spec ARs that don’t require dipping into your kid’s college fund.

But for many of us, even a blind, crazy love for ARs doesn’t hold back our interest in something new or a little different. When American Tactical first released the OMNI, some were reporting cycling issues. Since it’s been a while, I purchased an OMNI Hybrid, and I’m hoping ATI sorted all that out. While my time with it has been limited, it’s been working great so far.

On the other hand, Radical Defense has been making budget-friendly AR’s for a while, and I’ve been a huge fan. My RF-15 has never had any issues, even though I’ve changed and moved all kinds of parts around on it. With both guns being in the same price range, I thought this would be a perfect comparison for those looking for an AR-15 in the $400 range.

OMNI Hybrid AR-15

Many in the AR world consider the ATI OMNI Hybrid AR-15 an outsider because it uses polymer construction. While polymer rifles have been around for some time, they haven’t yet become mainstream. Issues such as cracked receivers, cycling problems, unreliable bolt catches, and loose magazines have plagued some models.

Some of the first polymer AR’s have experienced various issues and a lot of skepticism. I’m one of those skeptics, but I’m also not going to blow off the idea. At some point. After all, Glock pistols were once at the bottom of the barrel because many thought them to be “cheap plastic guns.” I figure that someone will eventually perfect the polymer system, and we may start seeing polymer ARs become mainstream. Maybe…

American Tactical is one of those companies that has not abandoned the idea of polymer AR’s. They have infused pieces of steel for reinforcement and to connect to other metal parts on the receivers.

My OMNI Hybrid rifle has cycled through hundreds of rounds with no issues to report. I haven’t put enough ammo through it and used it enough to completely say it’s a 100% reliable gun, but so far, so good. It’s a cool concept, and it’s a little different from the norm, which I like.

ATI OMNI Hybrid AR-15 Specs:

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO / .223 Remington
• Barrel Length: 16 inches
• Twist Rate: 1:7
• Upper Receiver: Mil-Spec, Forged
• Lower Receiver: Polymer
• Handguard: 10-inch KeyMod Rail
• Stock: 6-Position Adjustable
• Weight: 6.25 lbs
• Overall Length: 35.25 inches
• Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider

The rifle I purchased came with a standard 6-position stock, a 15-inch handguard with M-LOK slots, an ATI 60-round mag, and an “ATI Duo Sight” red dot. I haven’t gotten around to messing with the red dot yet, but I’ll get to it sometime. For a $399 package, however, it’s not a bad deal.

Radical Arms RF-15

The Radical Arms RF-15 is a classic mil-spec AR-15 that is a proven AR at a budget-friendly price. Unlike the polymer OMNI Hybrid, the RF-15 sticks to traditional aluminum construction, which is light and durable. Over the years, I’ve put my RF-15 through a lot, and it’s never let me down.

One of the joys of owning an AR-15 is the ability to customize it to your heart’s content, and the RF-15 is no exception. I’ve swapped out handguards, stocks, grips, and more. Changing out parts is fun, but it can wear on an AR over time. My RF-15 has become one of my go-to ARs for testing out new parts because it holds up to the abuse. For the price, this is about as good as it gets when it comes to quality and reliability.

• Radical Arms RF-15 Specs:
• Caliber: 5.56 NATO / .223 Remington
• Barrel Length: 16 inches
• Twist Rate: 1:7
• Upper Receiver: Mil-Spec, Forged
• Lower Receiver: Mil-Spec, Forged
• Handguard: Standard A2 or aftermarket upgrades
• Stock: 6-Position Adjustable
• Weight: 6.5 lbs
• Overall Length: 36 inches
• Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider

AR-15 Duo on the Range

I’ve had the Radical Arms AR at the range a great deal more than the OMNI Hybrid. But even so, I took both to the range for this review. I wanted to shoot them back-to-back to see if I could tell any difference between them.

I shot various brands of 5.56 ammunition and used multiple brands of magazines to see how they performed in each gun. Both rifles functioned flawlessly, with no malfunctions or hiccups.

When shooting at 100 yards, the Radical Arms RF-15 showed its strength in precision. It maintained tight groupings, all within the size of a baseball. I wasn’t using a rest, or the groups would have been even better. The trigger on the RF-15 felt a little crisper and more responsive than the OMNI Hybrid. This probably contributed to its better groupings. At 75 yards and below, I couldn’t tell any difference in accuracy.

Having said that, however, the American Tactical OMNI Hybrid performed admirably and was, overall, a smooth shooting rifle. While its groupings were slightly wider than the Radical Arms, it still wasn’t bad. Most of the groupings at 100 yards were about the size of a cantaloupe.

The only other difference between the two rifles that I noticed was the OMNI’s magazine release, which was harder to push. It wasn’t bad enough that I would call it an issue, but it was noticeably harder than the Radical Arms AR’s.

Which one is best for you?

The Radical Arms RF-15 and ATI OMNI Hybrid AR-15 both offer great value at their price point. While the OMNI Hybrid has proven to be a reliable and fun range gun, polymer ARs are still relatively new and might not yet inspire the same confidence as traditional builds.

If you’re looking for something different, the OMNI Hybrid is a cool rifle that has performed great for me so far. Again, my time with it is limited and I’m continuing to evaluate it each time I head to the range.

If you’re looking for your first AR-15 on a budget, the Radical Arms RF-15 is likely the better bet. It’s a complete mil-spec AR that has proven reliable and durable. Either way, I would say both guns are worth the price; it just depends on what you’re looking for.