Aragorn
23 June 2014, 13:54
I'll preface this by saying that I'm not a guy who feels the need to have a ton of AR's. One AR set up for general purpose usage ranging from HD to an extended SHTF scenario is really all I feel that I NEED. My typical training sessions involve timers, lots of movement, various drills, and often shooting positions that quite frankly suck. I set up this rifle quite awhile ago to fill the requirements I felt I needed. You can read about it in the Explain your AR thread, pg. 33.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uAyRsGbCldc/UVJck6vPV5I/AAAAAAAAAEA/cetKbQrCmZI/s720/2013-03-13%2520at%252018-35-07.jpg
It was a pretty good rifle. Reliable, smooth, but it wasn't perfect. Turned out I didn't like the battlecomp as it actually seemed to cause downward muzzle deviation, was quite blasty, and threw the occassional fireball. Also turned out I didn't really need or want a full 13" forend as I just don't grip that far forward (It's what was in vogue though, and I had decided to try it.). Fully equiped the rifle weighed in at around 8lbs. without a mag and was noticeably muzzle heavy. The narrow KAC rear sight, combined with the ARD, also created issues acquiring the narrow front sight.
It was time to reevaluate. I wanted something lighter, better balanced, and that fully addressed the shortcomings of the rifle. I bought a Rainier arms slick side upper, and had plans for a lighter barrel. However that all went down the drain a little over a year ago and the RA upper was sold, and the project put on standby. Back around Christmas I tore down the upper and sold off the NSR, and KAC sights with plans of recycling that money back into the gun. Seeing how it was the holiday season however, that didn't happen. I've since been without a functioning AR. Then along comes the WEVO 50k giveaway and holy crap, I won an upper very close to the one I sold off(!). Between that and all the other winners posting build threads with their new prizes, it's really reignited the fire to get this done. Since this is a rebuild, it's using parts both new and used. Here's a list of the parts and the why's behind each. Parts were chosen based off quality, experience and preference, and where there was no preference or discernible "best" I chose by weight. (I'm not exactly aiming for a feather weight build, but any little place I can save weight without sacrifice, I will.)
Upper Receiver - RA Mil-Spec non-FA upper.
Why? While "Because I won it" is certainly a good reason all by itself, I had already previously selected a non-forward assist upper to begin with. I put a lot of thought into the FA, what I used it for and whether or not I needed it. The first AR I ever owned had a Spike's ST-T2 buffer in it and a Tubb CS Flatwire spring. Once with it I had to use the FA to press a round back into battery after a press check. The other time I used it was when I was shooting some cheap ammo and decided to "help" a reluctant round into the chamber. I then had to pound that casing out with a dowel rod and hammer (lesson learned). My conclusion was that if a round is reluctant to chamber, I'm not going to force it, and also anytime I've encountered any sort of abnormality during a string of fire I tend to dive straight into an IA drill and ignore the FA completely anyways. That pretty much leaves the sole purpose of a FA as a device to assist in a press check (at least for my purposes), and since I've moved to the Vltor A5 system and a Springco Green spring, I've never had a round fail to go back into battery after a press check. It occurred to me that if it DOES happen again, I could always just press the BCG forward by sticking a finger in through the ejection port. Ergo, the reason for the RA Mil-Spec non- FA upper is because I won it, I don't need the FA, and it weighs less. In going with the light weight, a V7 port door assembly will be used.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y419/Machpony/unnamed_zpsff3fd018.jpg
BCG: The BCG is hybridization of parts from various manufactures. The carrier is a Spike's Tactical NiB that I got as a whole BCG and used in the last rendition of this rifle. I love NiB, it's just so smooth in operation and cleans so easily. The cam pin is an LWRC Advanced Cam Pin that is also NiB. It's purpose is the eliminate cam pin drag/scarring in the upper receiver, which should also translate into smoother operation. That said, it's a problem more prevalent in piston guns and I doubt I'm gaining much of anything using it, however all my previous uppers remain unscarred from its use, and I have it so why not use it? The bolt is the Sharp's Relia-bolt. I already have a Spike's NiB bolt and a BCM as backup, so why this? Well, the price was good for a bolt with that material and coating, and since I'm not running a FA, anything that helps it slide into battery a little easier is a plus. I may even get ridiculous later and switch out the cotter pin for a KNS Perma pin.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y419/Machpony/bcg_zpsfb14825a.jpg
Charging Handle - I've ran a BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 since they came out. I like them and they work great, and I would be using the one that I already have. HOWEVER, I am debating switching to a Rainier Raptor because it was Rainier who donated the upper to the giveaway, and because it would be a nice match. I've never seen or touched one in person, but I do think they look nice and don't see how I'd be disappointed. However $90 is a tough pill for me to swallow when money is tight and I already have something that works. I'm still in the air on this.
Barrel Assembly - I'm planning on a DD CHF LW 14.5" middy, pinning either a V7 or B.A.D. titanium GB. I'd probably prefer the B.A.D. but will use the V7 if the B.A.D. is not released by the time I'm ready for it. I picked that barrel because it appears to be a lighter version of their strength-to-weight profile without being a true pencil. Also the DD rifles I've handled with that barrel have had outstanding balance.
Muzzle device - The one I've come to prefer over all other is the Micor Flash Suppressor. It's certainly not what is in vogue or popular, but it is absolutely my choice over all others. On the same gun with the same ammo, it suppressed flash better than the PWS Triad prong style flash suppressor, as well as the standard A2. It holds the muzzle down I'd say probably 75-85% as well as the Rainier XTC and Battlecomp and does so without the blast or flash, though it does nothing to reduce recoil. I also noticed that on my first AR when I switched from a PWS FSC to the Micor that I gained about 1/4 MOA accuracy across the board with all types of ammo.
Forend - I really like the Troy Alpha rails and they have come to be my favorite. Oddly enough this isn't because of any one thing that specifically separates it from other options other than... the squid grip. They have just enough squish to really make you feel locked into the weapon and are just the right size to protect your hand from a hot rail. I'm planning on awaiting the release of Troy's new Revolution Rails for this build. The Revolution is carbon fiber so it shouldn't weight much at all, it has the holes cut in it the same as the Alpha's so it'll still able to accept squid grip, and it appears to be an ever so slightly smaller diameter than the Alpha's and with an octagonal profile. Really though, they had me at light and squid grippy. I'll be using an 11" version.
Lower Receiver - The lower receiver I was using I feel was damn near perfect. It's a Novekse Gen. II that I built up with the Vltor A5 system and Geissele SSA-E. I love the massive mag well as it makes hitting those fast reloads under pressure just that much easier. The lower and A5 system are both heavier than standard, but in this instance I'm gaining far more than I'm losing. Also it was a first release Noveske Gen. II lower and thus has a low serial number (cool points in my book). Lower parts will pretty much all be stripped and replaced with V7 components. I won't be saving a LOT of weight here, but it combined with the lighter barrel, GB, and forened, it all adds up. The BAD lever will also be remaining as it makes both reloads and clearing malfs faster. The grip is an Umbrella Grip 23 that I stippled. The B.A.D. A.S.S. will also be replaced with a V7 57 degree selector. I've learned that hitting a 90 degree safety in awkward shooting positions requires a break in grip that can be circumvented with a shorter throw. The V7 also has the benefit of requiring neither the lower or selector to be modified. As for the stock, I'm planning on giving the LWRC compact stock a try. If I don't like it, I'll go back to the MOE. I'll be staying with a FDE stock as it is noticeably cooler on the face when shooting out in the sun.
Here's the lower as it sits, thus far with no parts removed or new installed.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y419/Machpony/lower_zpsc798690c.jpg
As for a light and the sights, I'm intending to the the Rosch SL-1 front sight/weapon light combination in FDE. It's lighter than any other combination I'm aware of, has a thin NM front sight post which I prefer, and doesn't take up much real estate. I'm going FDE to add just a little bit of break up and because I feel it'll have good symmetry with the FDE stock. The rear sight will probably end up being the Troy Alpha rear sight which has yet to be released, just due to weight. My ever trusty Aimpont Comp M4 will remain the optic. I like the larger 30mm tube, I like that it takes a common battery, I love it's battery life, and I love that I already have it. The LaRue mount for it though will be ditched in favor of a Bobro as it weighs an ounce less, and again, those ounces add up.
All in all it should be a pretty sweet setup. Smooth, accurate, and reliable I'm figuring (hoping) and I ought to be shaving north of a half pound from the rifle and positively re-balancing it without making any real sacrifices. I will say this will probably be about the slowest build thread going as again, money is tight and I'm awaiting the release of a few items.
I'm definitely excited to be doing this and THANKS again to WEVO and all the sponsors who donated to the giveaway!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uAyRsGbCldc/UVJck6vPV5I/AAAAAAAAAEA/cetKbQrCmZI/s720/2013-03-13%2520at%252018-35-07.jpg
It was a pretty good rifle. Reliable, smooth, but it wasn't perfect. Turned out I didn't like the battlecomp as it actually seemed to cause downward muzzle deviation, was quite blasty, and threw the occassional fireball. Also turned out I didn't really need or want a full 13" forend as I just don't grip that far forward (It's what was in vogue though, and I had decided to try it.). Fully equiped the rifle weighed in at around 8lbs. without a mag and was noticeably muzzle heavy. The narrow KAC rear sight, combined with the ARD, also created issues acquiring the narrow front sight.
It was time to reevaluate. I wanted something lighter, better balanced, and that fully addressed the shortcomings of the rifle. I bought a Rainier arms slick side upper, and had plans for a lighter barrel. However that all went down the drain a little over a year ago and the RA upper was sold, and the project put on standby. Back around Christmas I tore down the upper and sold off the NSR, and KAC sights with plans of recycling that money back into the gun. Seeing how it was the holiday season however, that didn't happen. I've since been without a functioning AR. Then along comes the WEVO 50k giveaway and holy crap, I won an upper very close to the one I sold off(!). Between that and all the other winners posting build threads with their new prizes, it's really reignited the fire to get this done. Since this is a rebuild, it's using parts both new and used. Here's a list of the parts and the why's behind each. Parts were chosen based off quality, experience and preference, and where there was no preference or discernible "best" I chose by weight. (I'm not exactly aiming for a feather weight build, but any little place I can save weight without sacrifice, I will.)
Upper Receiver - RA Mil-Spec non-FA upper.
Why? While "Because I won it" is certainly a good reason all by itself, I had already previously selected a non-forward assist upper to begin with. I put a lot of thought into the FA, what I used it for and whether or not I needed it. The first AR I ever owned had a Spike's ST-T2 buffer in it and a Tubb CS Flatwire spring. Once with it I had to use the FA to press a round back into battery after a press check. The other time I used it was when I was shooting some cheap ammo and decided to "help" a reluctant round into the chamber. I then had to pound that casing out with a dowel rod and hammer (lesson learned). My conclusion was that if a round is reluctant to chamber, I'm not going to force it, and also anytime I've encountered any sort of abnormality during a string of fire I tend to dive straight into an IA drill and ignore the FA completely anyways. That pretty much leaves the sole purpose of a FA as a device to assist in a press check (at least for my purposes), and since I've moved to the Vltor A5 system and a Springco Green spring, I've never had a round fail to go back into battery after a press check. It occurred to me that if it DOES happen again, I could always just press the BCG forward by sticking a finger in through the ejection port. Ergo, the reason for the RA Mil-Spec non- FA upper is because I won it, I don't need the FA, and it weighs less. In going with the light weight, a V7 port door assembly will be used.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y419/Machpony/unnamed_zpsff3fd018.jpg
BCG: The BCG is hybridization of parts from various manufactures. The carrier is a Spike's Tactical NiB that I got as a whole BCG and used in the last rendition of this rifle. I love NiB, it's just so smooth in operation and cleans so easily. The cam pin is an LWRC Advanced Cam Pin that is also NiB. It's purpose is the eliminate cam pin drag/scarring in the upper receiver, which should also translate into smoother operation. That said, it's a problem more prevalent in piston guns and I doubt I'm gaining much of anything using it, however all my previous uppers remain unscarred from its use, and I have it so why not use it? The bolt is the Sharp's Relia-bolt. I already have a Spike's NiB bolt and a BCM as backup, so why this? Well, the price was good for a bolt with that material and coating, and since I'm not running a FA, anything that helps it slide into battery a little easier is a plus. I may even get ridiculous later and switch out the cotter pin for a KNS Perma pin.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y419/Machpony/bcg_zpsfb14825a.jpg
Charging Handle - I've ran a BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 since they came out. I like them and they work great, and I would be using the one that I already have. HOWEVER, I am debating switching to a Rainier Raptor because it was Rainier who donated the upper to the giveaway, and because it would be a nice match. I've never seen or touched one in person, but I do think they look nice and don't see how I'd be disappointed. However $90 is a tough pill for me to swallow when money is tight and I already have something that works. I'm still in the air on this.
Barrel Assembly - I'm planning on a DD CHF LW 14.5" middy, pinning either a V7 or B.A.D. titanium GB. I'd probably prefer the B.A.D. but will use the V7 if the B.A.D. is not released by the time I'm ready for it. I picked that barrel because it appears to be a lighter version of their strength-to-weight profile without being a true pencil. Also the DD rifles I've handled with that barrel have had outstanding balance.
Muzzle device - The one I've come to prefer over all other is the Micor Flash Suppressor. It's certainly not what is in vogue or popular, but it is absolutely my choice over all others. On the same gun with the same ammo, it suppressed flash better than the PWS Triad prong style flash suppressor, as well as the standard A2. It holds the muzzle down I'd say probably 75-85% as well as the Rainier XTC and Battlecomp and does so without the blast or flash, though it does nothing to reduce recoil. I also noticed that on my first AR when I switched from a PWS FSC to the Micor that I gained about 1/4 MOA accuracy across the board with all types of ammo.
Forend - I really like the Troy Alpha rails and they have come to be my favorite. Oddly enough this isn't because of any one thing that specifically separates it from other options other than... the squid grip. They have just enough squish to really make you feel locked into the weapon and are just the right size to protect your hand from a hot rail. I'm planning on awaiting the release of Troy's new Revolution Rails for this build. The Revolution is carbon fiber so it shouldn't weight much at all, it has the holes cut in it the same as the Alpha's so it'll still able to accept squid grip, and it appears to be an ever so slightly smaller diameter than the Alpha's and with an octagonal profile. Really though, they had me at light and squid grippy. I'll be using an 11" version.
Lower Receiver - The lower receiver I was using I feel was damn near perfect. It's a Novekse Gen. II that I built up with the Vltor A5 system and Geissele SSA-E. I love the massive mag well as it makes hitting those fast reloads under pressure just that much easier. The lower and A5 system are both heavier than standard, but in this instance I'm gaining far more than I'm losing. Also it was a first release Noveske Gen. II lower and thus has a low serial number (cool points in my book). Lower parts will pretty much all be stripped and replaced with V7 components. I won't be saving a LOT of weight here, but it combined with the lighter barrel, GB, and forened, it all adds up. The BAD lever will also be remaining as it makes both reloads and clearing malfs faster. The grip is an Umbrella Grip 23 that I stippled. The B.A.D. A.S.S. will also be replaced with a V7 57 degree selector. I've learned that hitting a 90 degree safety in awkward shooting positions requires a break in grip that can be circumvented with a shorter throw. The V7 also has the benefit of requiring neither the lower or selector to be modified. As for the stock, I'm planning on giving the LWRC compact stock a try. If I don't like it, I'll go back to the MOE. I'll be staying with a FDE stock as it is noticeably cooler on the face when shooting out in the sun.
Here's the lower as it sits, thus far with no parts removed or new installed.
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y419/Machpony/lower_zpsc798690c.jpg
As for a light and the sights, I'm intending to the the Rosch SL-1 front sight/weapon light combination in FDE. It's lighter than any other combination I'm aware of, has a thin NM front sight post which I prefer, and doesn't take up much real estate. I'm going FDE to add just a little bit of break up and because I feel it'll have good symmetry with the FDE stock. The rear sight will probably end up being the Troy Alpha rear sight which has yet to be released, just due to weight. My ever trusty Aimpont Comp M4 will remain the optic. I like the larger 30mm tube, I like that it takes a common battery, I love it's battery life, and I love that I already have it. The LaRue mount for it though will be ditched in favor of a Bobro as it weighs an ounce less, and again, those ounces add up.
All in all it should be a pretty sweet setup. Smooth, accurate, and reliable I'm figuring (hoping) and I ought to be shaving north of a half pound from the rifle and positively re-balancing it without making any real sacrifices. I will say this will probably be about the slowest build thread going as again, money is tight and I'm awaiting the release of a few items.
I'm definitely excited to be doing this and THANKS again to WEVO and all the sponsors who donated to the giveaway!