Southern Cross Small Arms has updated its Australian-made dual-action Taipan rifle, introducing the Evo model with a new polymer butt and other changes that bring a 300 gram weight saving and a number of performance upgrades.
“It’s an evolution, literally, as we got better at doing it,” Damir Lukic of Southern Cross Small Arms says.
Some of the key changes include the thumbhole-type buttock which incorporates a spare magazine holder and is made from military-grade glass-filled nylon polymer that Damir says “does not feel plasticky at all”.
The polymer extends to the lower of the receiver, too, and Damir says this alters the overall balance rifle to concentrate the centre of gravity and make the Taipan better handling.
The Evo model weighs 3.3kg including its spare 10-round magazine.
“We were trying to figure out ways to cut weight and the only way we could do it was the polymer,” Damir says. “It was the best way.”
He says the change had been a long time in the works, some aspects of it dating back to the beginning of the Taipan’s development several years ago.
“If you look on our website, we put hints of it everywhere,” he says. “A few keen guys picked it up but not many.”
However, some changes have been driven by user feedback, including the new flared magazine well and AR-15 type bolt release, which both promise to make reloading quicker and easier.
The trigger group is Southern Cross’s own drop-in design, similar to those in the AR platform and with a set release weight of 2.5kg.
The rifle retains the renowned Taipan deign of having two cycling actions in one: it is both pump-action and straight-pull, with spring-assisted bolt return.
The oversize straight-pull charging handle, mounted on the left side of the receiver, can be removed if it is not required.
It is available in .223 Rem and .300 Blackout.
The Taipan Evo is compliant as a Cat B firearms in all states except WA and Tasmania, but Damir admitted it was difficult to get it over the line of the appearance laws in NSW.
The additional tooling for the Taipan Evo represented an investment by Southern Cross of several hundred thousand dollars.
The new model will be sold alongside the Taipan X for the foreseeable future, and Damir expects the Evo will be priced $50-$100 above the price of the X.
Dealers are taking orders now, and the first few rifles have already been shipped from the factory to distributor OSA Australia.
“We’re proud to support local makers like SCSA, whose innovation, attention to detail, and commitment to quality reflect the values of Australian shooters,” OSA General Manager Billy Statis says.
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