The latest thing I did (AR porject)

[Joelski]

Apologies for the wordy post, but it's colder'n hell outside, so while I'm waiting and hoping it warms up a touch, I thought I'd put up a rundown of this latest project. If you're allergic to reading and proper grammar, you may skip to the list. []

So, it all started with an innocent lower receiver purchase; we can all use an extra lower for the safe, right? Anyway, Brownell's was selling blem Geissele lowers for cheepy-cheep back in early November, and I decided to grab one while the getting's good. I'd originally wanted to pick up the set, but those were sold out by the time I decided I "needed one of these". I'll admit, it was kind of an impulse buy, but with the damn things OOS almost solid since the 2019 BF fiasco, like I said; for me it was as good a time as any to get one, considering ya never know when they'll be back in stock. Enter Black Friday 2021...

When I start a project, I normally have it all planned out, and assemble the parts from a list made based on my reasearch of what I want the rifle for, and what parts I want assemble it with. This was going to be an SBR, loosely based on the latest iteration of the venerable Mk 18, or as Bill G calls it, the URGI. I grabbed parts simply because they were available, and again; ya never know, so this could be labeled a total impulse buy on my part, but it has been on my want list for a while. Problem is, because I was just grabbing parts, I failed to follow my usual ordered process and hit several hard stops along the way. I'm no gunsmith, but I have built some experience along the way as I've assembled all of my rifles, following established methods including headspacing, staking, etc.

You might questions some of the choices I made, but I decided to give some things a try, with the biggest question being the barrel. I would love to have been able to find a CHF/CL, FN, Colt, BCM, whatever, but they just aren't out there right now; if any of you would like to offer me a 10.5" with pedigree specs for a price that's fair to both of us, please pm me. In the end, I wound-up giving the shot to Roscoe's Bloodline 10.5", as they are known to have some mil contracts (although I know that's not a sign of "as good as"), and they spec their gas port to .069" making it less gassy than 95% of the competition. Also, they're 100% American made in-house at their manufacturing facility, which is important. Who knows? It might work out to be a great choice and permanent solution for as long as it lasts. Anyway, impulse driven, get it now processes create headaches! I normally have a decent supply of spares in the ole' bin, but this time, I hit hard stops with the pivot pin (I have 5 takedowns, so why no pivots?), buffer retainer, and bolt catch springs. Each time, figuring incorrectly that my ocean of spares was sufficient to finish, I resumed, and hit the next stop. Frustrating, but that made me fix my spares situation, so lesson learned.

I expect some poo-poo-ing for a couple of my choices, and plan to replace if they don't work out, or simply out of OCD. Constructive criticism is always appreciated and taken under advisement as I respect the opinions of this group. So here it is.

Lower:
Geissele Super Duty forged (Blem)
" " Ultra 5 axis trigger guard (Because who didn't put the fancy KAC guard on their lower builds?)
" " Super Dynamic Combat 2 stage trigger
" " Maritime Bolt Catch
" " Buffer Tube and H2 Super 42 buffer and spring
" " Mil Spec LPK
Radian Talon Selector
BCM Mod 3 grip
B5 Enhanced SOPMOD stock
FCD Mag Release

Upper:
ADM Forged upper receiver
Rainier Nitride BCG
Roscoe Bloodline 10.5" nitrided barrel and gas tube
BAD gas block
Geissele Paratrooper CH
Geissele 9.5" MK 16 rail
Griffin Flashcomp
Magpul MBUS Pro offset irons
FCD LSFA (replacing the stock unit when I get around to it)

Optic:
AimPoint Micro T2 on a Geissele Super Precision 1.93" mount