Explain your AR15 layout...

[BC98]

I’ve had a couple of years to put some rounds through my SBR and have made some changes to the configuration as I have figured out what I like and don’t like. As a baseline, I started with a 12.5” BCM Kino upper on a SBR’ed Spikes lower (pictured below). Overall, I really like where this gun is at build-wise. It’s my primary whenever I hit the range.


Upper & Barrel: 12.5” Centurion barrel in BCM upper
I stuck with the 12.5” length but found that I didn’t like having the FSB in my line of sight. The BCM barrel shot great (popped some 6” and 12” steel at 400 yds with a 1-5x optic) but I was intrigued by the reviews of durability and high accuracy with Monty’s barrels. I sold the Kino barrel assembly and a couple of other parts I had laying around and picked up a CA 12.5” barrel. My initial sight in at 50 yards with a Mk 262 clone produced the target below (5 shots…I was pleased for my ability):


Muzzle Device: Surefire MB556K brake
Through some testing I have done at my job, I got a chance to try a variety of muzzle brakes and flash hiders. I found that I liked the recoil impulse and muzzle control that it provided. MN is still not suppressor-friendly but if that ever changes (or I move) I also like having the option to use it as a suppressor mount. It’s loud and brutal to other shooters nearby (or me if I shoot indoors) but I still love it.

Bolt Carrier Group/Charge handle: BCM mil-spec BCG and Gunfighter Charge Handle (Mod 4)
I’m still running the Bravo BCG but have added one of the Gunfighter handles and really like the additional purchase and general bulletproof feel of it. I bought it on a whim and was instantly pissed knowing that I was going to have to buy one for every other AR I own or build.

Handguards: Daniel Defense MFR 12.0
Through work, I got a chance to try out the MFR on this gun and really like the light weight and smaller diameter as compared to the previous setup with the MOE handguard. I liked that the entire barrel was covered and I also like DD’s method of attaching rail sections that does not use any backing plate that had to be fished around inside the tube. I do plan on eventually swapping over to an 11” rail of some kind. I switch out muzzle devices on occasion for testing at work and the 12” rail does not allow for easy access to the wrench flats on most hiders and brakes. I’m liking both the Noveske NSR and Troy Alpha rails but have also considered a KAC URX II or getting creative with a Bridgeport on a Centurion 12” rail.

BUIS and Optic: Troy Folding and ….Undecided
The DD A1.5 sight was replaced for the same reason as the FSB; I just prefer having nothing in my line of sight when using an optic. The DD was replaced with a set of Troy folding sights. I honestly haven’t used them yet so can’t give much of an opinion on them. For an optic, I have been running a Weaver Tactical 1-5x on an American Defense QD Scout mount. Both have worked great and I really like having the variable magnification for distance shots but the FFP design and reticle in the Weaver scope doesn’t work well with me on close-in shots. I’ve borrowed an Aimpoint T1 and plan on running it at a carbine class to see how well I like it.

Lower & Parts:
I still have this SBR on my Spike’s punisher lower. I have installed an ALG ACT trigger to it and a rear sling mount that a coworker gave me (can’t remember the company, though). I swapped over to a one of the BCM grips and found that the more vertical orientation suits me better. It’s not shown in the original picture but I’m also running one of the BAD ASS safeties. The ACT trigger is nice and smooth but I’m going to tinker a little with some JP springs to see how the pull weight changes feel. I will probably end up installing a Geiselle SSA eventually

Buttstock: Standard M4 stock
I have temporarily gone back to the M4 stock mounted to an VLTOR A5 buffer system until figure out what I want. For a while, I ran an VLTOR Modstock and a Magpul ASC-L and like them but they seemed overly bulky. The Troy Battle Axe was borrowed from someone who didn't care if I left it on while I painted the gun but is now gone, too. I’ll probably switch over to a Magpul MOE as I like the simple, functional look but don’t need the sling swivel mounts or locking mechanism of the CTR. The A5 system made a pretty drastic (to me) change to the recoil characteristics of the gun as well. It feels very controllable and flat on rapid shot strings. More than one coworker has commented to me on how little (if at all) the muzzle moves during firing. I am actually considering pulling the Surefire brake to see if most of the smoothness of the gun is due to the device or the A5. I do plan on experimenting with heavier buffers and different springs to tune the feel of the gun.

Sling: VCAS
I went with a Blue Force Gear VCAS sling for the adjustability and reputation. I prefer 2-point configs but currently have it in single-point until I find a good front sling mount (and rail) that I’ll stick with for a while. I was also interested in the SOB B-Sling to shed a little weight but haven’t decided yet.

Light: None yet (not shown)
I did decide to pick up a single output Surefire P2X Fury in the future, when funds become available. I like the light output this unit offers at the price point. For a mount, I’ll use either an IWC kit or the NSR-specific mount Noveske may release in the future (depending on rail).

Future changes/upgrades:
Light/mount
Aimpoint RDS w/ QD mount
Geiselle SSA trigger
MOE stock