If you’ve ever had the dubious pleasure of working a firearms trade show, you know it’s a special kind of purgatory. You’re glued to a 10×10 booth, your smile is as strained as a cheap pair of pants, and the only break you get is a mad dash to the nearest restroom. On one such frantic pilgrimage at the Gun Owners of America (GOA) GOALS event, I was scurrying down the aisle, eyes peeled for a little stick figure on a door, when I stumbled upon something that stopped me in my tracks.
I passed a booth and, for a fleeting second, assumed they were selling airsoft guns or those cool 3D-printed models you can put on your desk. I was wrong on both counts. Instead, I found the most impossibly small AR-15 pattern rifle chambered in .22LR I had ever seen. It was so compact it looked like it was designed by a wizard who specializes in shrinking things—or maybe a gnome with a gunsmithing degree.
This little wonder wasn’t just another rehash of what every other company is doing; it was something truly new. It was the brainchild of a company called Mountain Billy Gun Lab (MBGL). And let me tell you, their product line is refreshingly innovative.
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GOAT-15: A Little Gun with a Big Name
MBGL is shaking things up with the GOAT-15, a rifle that’s not just small and light but also packed with features. Now, you might be wondering, is it called the GOAT-15 because it’s tied to their company brand, or are they just boldly claiming it’s the Greatest Of All Time? I’ll leave that debate for you and your buddies to hash out over a few beers. What I can tell you is this: the GOAT-15 comes in three fantastic flavors: the Helium, the ATOM, and the H2.
The Helium model comes with a full-length 16-inch threaded CMV steel barrel. It’s the heavyweight of the bunch, but at a mere 2 lbs 14 oz unloaded and 3 lbs 2 oz with a loaded 10-round magazine, it’s still lighter than a sack of kittens. The Helium also sports an M-Lok rail, a 7-position adjustable stock, and comes with both a 1-round and a 10-round magazine. It’s the perfect training rifle for a new shooter or a great plinker for a day at the range.
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Then there’s the ATOM. This model has a shorter 7.8-inch threaded CMV steel barrel and a 1913 pic rail mount, perfect for adding a brace or stock down the road if you’re a fan of filling out government paperwork. The ATOM truly lives up to its name, weighing in at a shocking 1 lb 14 oz unloaded and 2 lbs 1 oz with a loaded 10-round magazine. Its overall length is a ridiculously compact 14.1 inches, making it so small you might accidentally put it in your pocket instead of your keys.
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Finally, we have my personal favorite, the H2 model. This is the SBR version, sporting a 7.5-inch threaded CMV steel barrel. It weighs a little more than the ATOM, clocking in at 2 lbs 2 oz unloaded and 2 lbs 6 oz loaded. It’s still incredibly light and comes with a 7-position adjustable stock, an M-Lok rail, and both a 1-round and 10-round magazine. The H2 is the perfect combination of size and functionality.
GOAT-15 on the Farm
Living in Ohio, you learn pretty quickly that a reliable .22 LR rifle is an essential piece of equipment. My primary plan for the GOAT-15 was as a “go-anywhere” rifle for when my family and I are out on the farm. Whether we’re dealing with a wily squirrel, a rabbit trying to eat the garden, or some other pesky varmint, a good .22 LR can solve a lot of problems.
I threw a Holosun SCRS optic on my H2 and an IWI .22LR suppressor to make it whisper-quiet. The result? A rifle so light and compact, with virtually no recoil, that my kids, my wife, and even my grandmother (if she were so inclined) could pick it up and use it effectively. The threaded barrel is a huge bonus, as is the familiar AR-15 ergonomics. It makes for an incredibly versatile tool for plinking, pest control, and teaching new shooters the ropes.
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The Ultimate GOAT-15 Decision
You’re probably asking yourself, which model is the right one for me? My initial, highly professional, and not-at-all-biased recommendation is simple: get the Helium and either the H2 or ATOM. Hear me out.
The Helium excels as a practice rifle. Its 16-inch barrel is ideal for those longer shots we often take on the farm, sometimes out to 60+ yards. While not strictly required, that extra barrel length gives you a little more accuracy and velocity, which can make all the difference. It’s the perfect all-around .22 LR rifle.
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The H2 and ATOM, on the other hand, are designed for extreme portability. When we’re cruising around on our 4-wheelers or side-by-sides, it’s ridiculously convenient to toss one of these ultra-compact rifles into a backpack. Having a suppressed .22LR on hand for those moments when a groundhog decides to pop its head up and give you the stink eye is priceless.
Having both a full-sized rifle like the Helium and an ultra-compact one like the H2 or ATOM gives you options. It means you’re prepared for any situation, from target practice to pest control. Of course, if you’re a true, red-blooded, God-fearing American, you know what the correct answer is: get all three. Your gun safe might get a little crowded, but you’ll be the most prepared person in your neighborhood.
What do you think? Which GOAT-15 model would you choose? Or, are you like me and want to collect them all?
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