Explain your AR15 layout...

[G19Man]

Future:
Battlecomp 2.0... They're out of stock everywhere

Aim Surplus has the 2.0 in stock if you're interested
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...tor&groupid=54

[Rusty_ Shackleford]

Very nice!

[smoothdraw]

Evolution of my tactical 3-gun rifle. Now near perfect.

Stock were replaced with magpul PRS then Noveske 18" medium contour barrel fluted to get that balance to be able to maneuver the gun fast.
PRS for balance and for rifle stock system which is more reliable and softer shooting
Noveske barrel is selected for it's accuracy and reliability. 18" to ensure power factor. Fluted to make it lighter.
SJC muzzle break selected for maximum recoil control.
upper is Vltor MUR for extra upper strength
Grip is magpul MIAD to be able to custom fit to my hands
handguard is troy battle rail, thin and round for competition hold
Trigger is geissele S3G. Good and fast trigger. I like the super dynamic but not worth to upgrade yet the S3G
Optics is Trijicon accupoint TR24R. Simple reticle and decent glass for relative affordable price. I want to afford a S&B 1.1-8 someday.
Optics mount is Larue SPR-E which is needed for the Trijicon Accupoint (long eye relief)

I'm really happy now with the set-up of my rifle.

[Rusty_ Shackleford]

Spikes/BCM hybrid........

[Bwheeler]

First Post! Long time reader...
It's been about 1 year since I started this rifle assembly, and I think it is getting very close. Thanks to sites like this one, I think I wasted a lot less money finding an excellent configuration than I would have without it. Not only is it more than sufficient for 3gun competition, I wouldn't have a problem staking my life on it. Great rifle! Thanks guys!

Here goes...

Lower: JP Enterprises w/ installed fire control (3.5# w/ red/yellow springs) - I prefer single stage triggers and for competition, this is likely the best deal out there. For sure, the best trigger I have ever felt in an AR IMHO. Lowers are a little bit more hassle here in CA. A local Gunshop will charge $50-75 extra just cause it is evil & black, so I got my FFL to order this. Any CA residents who want a 3 gun AR, I highly reccomend this route.

Upper & barrel: BCM 18" SS410 rifle gas - for my first AR, I wanted an already assembled upper receiver. BCM is one company I heard of after visiting this site, and I am glad I did. The profile is a little heavy, but it is more accurate than I am, especially with iron sights.

Bolt, BCG, charging handle: BCM Auto BCG completion kit and large gunfighter. No lightened stuff here. I have found time and again that the fastest runs I have had in competition are the ones where my gun doesn't jam or break!

Handguard: Viking Extreme 13" because I don't need the ability to hang stuff off the rails. Light, strong, great diameter & length for my support hand.

Reciever Extension & Stock: Vltor A5 and Emod. I took a chance with this one when it was first released and I am glad I did. I knew I wanted a rifle-type action spring, but I also thought that a collapsible stock would be nice to have too. This combines the two. After changing out the spring for a Tubb flat wire to get rid of SPROIIIING, I couldn't be happier.

Sights: I originally started out with the Daniel Defense fixed BUIS, but changed the rear to LMT for the A2 adjustments. After a while, I changed to front to a fixed FSB, and I think I like it much better. The front post is a KNS thin with the ball on top. Rear aperature is CSAT with the notch. Accurate and called hits 7 yrds to 200 yards on IPSC targets, offhand!

Muzzle device: Started with a JP Bennie Cooley comp, which was lod but effective. Due to this site, my shooting buddy got me a Battle Comp after his fillings were coming loose . I can hardly tell a difference, but it is there. Not bad, and well worth the competitive benefits (less dust, concussion, noise)

Grip & Misc: Ergo soft rubber, but I am still a little unsatisfied. I my try the MOE+ if/when it is released. Magpul BAD is nice. Prince50 mag catch is not (CA residents know what i'm talking about...)

Sling: VTAC makes an awesome sling. I also have one on my shotgun. HIGHLY reccomended. attached at the front with the VTAC swivel point.

Things I might still do: I would like the balance point to be a little further rearward, so I may at some point get the barrel fluted under the handguards, which would do the trick. I would like a different pistol grip, but that will come with time (and not a whole bunch of cash). Finally, I would like to move out of the PRK so that I could get rid of the Prince50 magazine catch!

And as of Friday, 1255 rounds and no failures of any kind. I think that might be a good sign....







First layout, with my other two 3 Gun pieces...

[Mamba6]

When I worked for Xeros Services as a US DoS PSD team leader we (operators) customized the M4s. I don't really have many pictures as we were more concerned about the job, but I did manage to dig this guy up....


IMG_0001 by andrew.p.kern, on Flickr

Upper: Daniel Defense A4 upper with a DD 16" M4 profile CHF barrel. Also had a DD M4 mid-length rail system on it. The 16" barrel was finally decided on because we were operating in Afghanistan, and there was considerable performance decrease between the 16" and the 14.5" past 500m, which is where a considerable amount of engagements were occurring from. Nothing like taking DshK fire from 600m out. 9" rail gave us plenty of room for real estate, which some of us needed. Most of this stuff was company SOP.

Muzzle device: A2 flash hider, used for the quick detach Gemtech G5 suppressors we would occasionally run.

Lower: Spike's Tactical lower, with a Giessele SSF trigger, and a H buffer. The SSF trigger was a great trigger with a smooth pull and crisp break in full auto, and a light trigger on semi. It was pretty popular with everyone that I worked with although a few used Bushmaster FA parts. H buffer was to improve lock time, and increase accuracy. No idea who mfg'd it. It was pretty humorous when the lowers came in as they had ordered standard Spider lowers with bullet markings, but somehow the order had gotten mixed, and they all had the zombie and live/dead/undead markings. We thought it was awesome though, and kept them anyway, if not for a few laughs from the SOC guys.

Bolt: Bushmaster M16 carrier group. For the automatic FCG.

Grip: Hogue, rubber over-molded, with battery compartment housing underneath. I replaced the Ergo it came with, as the Houge seems more comfortable to me and fit my palms better. We usually kept C123s in the grip for optics and illumination.

Stock: Magpul CTR. I have not as of yet used the ACS stock, so it's very possible that might be my new favorite in the future. Still, the CTR is a really nice lightweight stock, and the friction lock that keeps out the wobble was really nice. USGI stocks tend to piss me off with the rattle and wobble. I threw the Enhanced .70in pad on the back, which took the recoil really well and gripped the plate on my rig better.

VFG: Magpul AFG. I guess there's a lot of debate over the Super Awesome Magpul Chris Costa Hold, but i prefer something along the lines of that hold, with my thumb resting in the channel between the top and left rails. That's also where I put my tape switch.

Illum: Left side mounted SF G2, either with or without the tape switch depending on the op. Usually ran it without a tab switch and just activated it with my thumb. We used to run SF XM07s but we got damn tired of replacing them, which we did quite frequently due to IEDs and close calls.

Optics: Magpul MBUS for the BUIS, Eotech 553 as the primary. Great optic, busted the lens once, and had it replaced by Eotech for free. Great for low/no light shooting as you can adjust the brightness and it even has the NOD setting, not that I ever got a chance to use it. It has held it's zero through everything, including being thrown from a Lexus LX. I also ran a TA31 RCO for some of the ops, because of engagement distance, and I loved it. Same pros - held its zero through everything, and a great optic for low light shooting with the fiber/tritium reticle illumination. They both held zero perfectly even after an optics swap thanks to the ARMS throw-lever bases. Never had an issue with zero after swapping between the two. The only downside to both of these optics is that they are heavy and adds considerable poundage. The T1 micros were really popular as well.

Sling: Specter Gear Viper single point and Viper Gear CST 3-point. Usually carried on the Viper sling, which I had shortened to fit me better (what's with making slings for huge dudes but not for the small/medium ones?). The shock cord was nice, and the ability to detach either the gun, sling or both was almost critical. For longer dismounts, I would run the CST so that I wouldn't kill my arms too much.

You can also see the ContourHD on the right side. TLs ran them on their rifles and brain buckets thanks to the Blackwater eff ups. It was rather annoying and ungainly sometimes but it was sector SOP.

[Eighty 0ne]

This was my birthday present to myself. I have wanted to build a new upper since spring and didn’t have the funds to just drop it all on a new upper so I had to get creative. I had to sell & barter to accomplish this budget build.

I traded GlobeMaster my 5.45x39 upper for his RRA 5.56/.223 upper. The only down side was that the RRA did not have a threaded muzzle. It was a bigger challenge than it should have been to get it threaded, but the good folks at Rainier Arms were happy to take my money and get this thing threaded right.

Also from Rainier Arms, I picked up a ff rail system that would work with the Adams Arms Piston Kit. I am extremely pleased with the Ergo® Z-Float™ Rail System. Not only is it compatible with my Adams Arms® Piston Kit, but it is the thinnest forearm I’ve ever held. I cannot begin to describe how happy I am with how it turned out. Rainier had the Z-Float system on sale for $99!

Here’s the breakdown:

Rock River Arms® R4 Barrel:
Chrome Lined
16” CAR Light Weight
1:9 Twist

Rock River Arms A4 Upper Receiver

Adams Arms® Piston Kit

SNS “Skull” Lower
Olympic Arms LPK
CAA UPG16 Pistol Grip
Magpul CTR® Buttstock
Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard®

Step by step:

The barrel came in the mail today and looks great. Rainier Arms® came through and only a couple of days including shipping.



With the barrel in place, I removed the old delta ring assembly from the original barrel nut. The original barrel nut will be used with the Ergo Z-Float Rail system.



The barrel nut is tightened ensuring that the Adams Arms® drive rod will clear.




The Ergo Z-Float is a two piece system that fastens to itself around the barrel nut. It fastens with 6 long hex screws near the barrel nut.





This thing is so thin. I love it.









I am waiting patiently for UPS to show up at my door with the optics for this rifle. I ordered a Millett® DMS-1 GenII and QD Mount.

[SteveL]

Here's the AR I finished building a few months ago. Note that I'm not a highly trained or experienced shooter. I gave it a lot of thought and researched a lot and put together a build that seems reasonable for what my intended uses are. However, I will need to get through some training and put it through some heavy use to determine whether it's exactly like I want or if there are changes I need to make.

My intended uses for this rifle are training. fun at the range, HD (possibly), and SHTF. I wanted a rifle that was reliable, durable, lightweight, and with the option to change/modify anything as needed. I decided on a 16" barrel because I didn't want the hassle of a pinned muzzle device, and I went with a lightweight profile barrel because it is exactly that - lightweight. I also went with a FF setup with no fixed FSP to make it easier to change handguards if I ever decide I want to. I stayed with DI because I'm not convinced there's any real world benefit to piston systems. Other than that I just tried to go with quality components. Whether the components I selected are anyone's personal preference or not, I dont think anyone will argue that they are indeed quality parts.

As far as accessories go I knew I would want a white light, a red dot sight, and a sling. I don't see a need for anything else. Again I tried to stay with quality components.

Without further ado here is the parts list and some pics:

Upper

DD flat top upper receiver
DD 16" CHF, chrome lined, light-weight barrel with midlength gas system and 1:7 rifling
DD pinned low profile gas block
Troy TRX Extreme 13" Battlerail
BattleComp 2.0
DD FA BCG
Magpul 2nd Gen BUS
BCM Mod 3 (Large) charging handle
Noveske TRX QD sling mount

Lower

Spikes Tactical stripped lower
Geissele SD-C trigger
BAD ASS-ST safety
Vltor A5 kit with Emod stock body
Magpul Miad grip
Magpul MOE trigger guard
Noveske QD end plate
Remaining lower parts from G&R Tactical with a couple of random parts from a local shop

Surefire M600C Scout Light with SR-06 remote switch on an IWC Mount-N-Slot mount
Huskey Amentum slider sling from Ares Armor with 2-to-1 point Triglide from IWC Mount-N-slot
Aimpoint M4s with LaRue QD mount

I decided to take a chance and added a Tactical Link Battery Assist Device (BAL) to try out. So far I like it and it hasn't caused any malfunctions. If that changes then it will be removed.






Weight with empty magazine

So far I only have 800 rounds of cheapo steel ammo through it. 500 rounds of WPA and 300 rounds of Monarch. Within the first 240 rounds I had 4 various malfunctions:

1x failure to lock the bolt open on the last round fired
1x short stroke
1x failure to go all the way into battery
1x possible FTE - Initially I thought this was a double feed. I could see two casings both bottle necking into the chamber. When I removed the magazine and reached in and hit one both of them fell out. One was a spent casing and the other was a fresh round.

The following 560 rounds have all gone without incident. At this point I'm hopeful it's just a new rifle wearing in that caused the malfunctions. Of course it wasn't exactly high quality ammo either. After I get another case or so of brass through it without any further issues I'll feel better.

[johnson]

Finished this not too long ago and it's my first and maybe only SBR. Since applying for the stamp I've done quite a lot of reading to shape the idea of what I wanted in the end. Thing's may change but I'm happy with the way it is currently. Excuse me if I'm not as articulate as others.

Upper Receiver: I went with the Vltor MUR-1A because of the quality of Vltor products in general. There is a $100 premium over a regular forged upper but it was worth it for me because of the aesthetics and it's supposed to be dimensionally correct. I have no way of checking but I'll take their word for it as well as the endosements by companies like Noveske and MSTN who use them in their precision builds.

Barrel and Handguard: Lots of options but ended with a Centurion Arms 12.5" with pinned FSB and DD MK18 RIS II FSP. I first looked into Centurion because of a few threads over on M4C and the specs looked very good on paper. It was a newer company and Monty would stop in time to time answering any questions and "dropped some knowledge". The more I read about his barrels and his background, I knew that this was a company I wanted to support. My first barrel from them was a 16" middy with pinned gas block and the overall quality is outstanding. It was a no brainer to go with a Centurion again for this SBR build. The older descriptions also listed a 1 MOA guarantee (or capable of) which speaks highly in his confidence of the product.

I chose the 12.5" because of multiple reasons. At first, I wanted an MK18 type setup because of the cool factor and since obviously if you're going short, why not go short?. After actually hearing one at the range, I decided that the muzzle blast was way too loud and disturbing to other shooters. That and finding a post by Paul from BCM stating why he went with the 11.5" over 10.5" (search "Why BCM chose 11.5" over 10.5"). At this point I started looking into the more technical side of things instead of looks. In the same M4C thread, Monty posted that his go to lengths would be 12.5" and 16". The reasoning was that it's a good balance of shortness while long enough to have good terminal ballistics out to a few hundred yards (not that I would need it). Lastly, it was the option of adding a reflex suppressor in the future specifically the AAC M4/SPR. This combo looks like it was made for eachother.

Options I was going to pick from:
A) 12.5" barrel with Troy Extreme Battle Rail 11"
B) 12.5" barrel with DD MK18 RIS II
C) 12.5" barrel with fixed FSB and Centurion Arms C4 FSP
D) 12.5" barrel with fixed FSB and DD MK18 RIS II FSP

Looks wise, I prefer an uninterrupted top rail with flip up sights with little barrel showing (like the "Costa" upper). With the possibility of adding a reflex can, the Troy rail was out. I had a DD LITE 12.0 and although it was a superb system in function, I never liked how the bottom rail was so far down making it too big if you're trying to wrap your hands around like you would a tube handguard. The same goes with Centurion handguards. The DD RIS II series is similar to the LITE in that it uses the same barrel nut and lock up system but goes further by adding anti-rotation pins and removable lower bottom rail that is tucked in. I was about to purchase the MK18 RIS II until I stumbled upon the FSP cutout version which I didn't know existed. I had no plans to get a pinned FSB because it usually required a 7" rail (or so I thought) or going with the Kino setup. I ended up with the MK18 RIS II FSP because 1) the sight picture with a fixed front sight never bothered me with either a red dot or magnified optic, 2) a Kino wouldn't allow the use of a reflex can and would add even more weight to the front end, and 3) I've only seen one or two other people with this rail combo and wanted to be different.

Bolt Carrier Group and Charging Handle: Bravo Company M16 BCG and Gunfighter Mod 4. Not much else to say that hasn't already.

Optic and Mount: Right now I use an Aimpoint Comp M2 with Bobro Cantilever mount but will eventually get an Aimpoint Micro to save weight. There's a big difference in how to rifle balances with and without the M2 on. I've had a T1 before and like it but I'm not waiting for Bobro to come out with their own Micro mount. If that's not in the forseeable future then will end up with a DD fixed mount.

The Troy flip up rear BUIS is from a previous built. If I keep this upper the way it is, I'll likely replace with a DD fixed rear.

Lower Receiver: I purchased this LMT Defender 2000 lower a few years ago with the purpose of registering it. Partly because of the name and partly because of the quality of the components used. LMT lowers have the smoothest triggers and safety selectors I've ever used. I get a good 6-7lb pull depending if I put grease on the contact points and the selector just flicks into place. I purchased a G&R LPK before which uses an LMT selector and it didn't quite feel the same (kind of stopped at the 45 degree angle).

Trigger: I've owned two different Geissele triggers (SD3G, SD-E) and although they feel much better, they didn't improve my groups or speed of shooting. Keep in mind that these were just regular uppers with red dots and not long range or competition guns where it might make a difference. I've also watched ssdsurf's videos on YouTube where he compares different drills with a stock trigger and Geissele two stage with little difference in accuracy or time. That said, a "good" G.I. trigger is few and far between. Mine is very nice compared to DPMS, Bushmaster, or RRA's that I've tried.

I have a Magpul B.A.D. lever that's not installed currently. I took a Vickers class a few months ago and he had some things to say (some good, mostly bad) and with other reports of some breaking off and causing malfunctions, I'm leaving it off for now. I personally had never had a problem with a bolt not locking back because of it.

Since the castle nut is staked, I wanted keep options open so I have a Noveske QD end plate. It feels weird if I mount my sling on there so I'm not sure if I would buy it again given the chance.

Receiver Extension: I'm using a Vltor A5 with modified buffer. The stock buffer contains two tungsten weights and two steel weights giving you 5.4 ounces. When using my 16" middy upper with PMC, it caused more felt recoil because I can feel the heavier buffer going back and forth. I swapped out the weights so now it contains one tungsten and 3 steel weights giving me 4.5 ounces which felt much enjoyable to shoot. Using this combo on my 12.5" with PMC is even more fun to shoot because recoil is barely there with very little muzzle rise if you have a good stance and grip. YMMV

Stock: For this, I stuck with Vltor stocks. I previously had the EMOD and liked all the features like great cheekweld, weight, rubber pad with reinforced butt plate, storage tubes, etc. Naturally for the SBR I wanted something more lightweight and the IMOD fit the bill. I didn't see myself benching or shooting prone so the clubfoot model didn't seem neccessary. Compared to a SOPMOD, Vltor stocks feel more loose/sloppy, even on Vltor tubes so I may get the SOPMOD in the future.

Sling: I don't have experience with any slings other than the Blue Force Gear VCAS. The two main choices seem to be either the VTAC or VCAS and chose the VCAS because of over whelming recommendation from others, better materials and the lack of slack when slung up. Slings are a personal preference and I'm sure I will try others in the future.

Other thoughts: This combo has given me an average of 2" or under groups at 100 yards so far with the stock trigger and Aimpoint M2. I previously wanted to get a Noveske Crusader barrel since I don't do tactical type shooting other than a carbine class here and there and usually just shoot for groups in which the Noveske would inherently be more accurate. Now the only reason I would get the Crusader is if I wanted the switchblock.



The first ever group out of this barrel with the Aimpoint M2 at 25 yards.


My best group so far at 100 yards with the Aimpoint M2 and 5.5" Shoot-N-C. First four rounds measures .75". PMC Bronze was used.

[Eighty 0ne]

Optics arrived via big brown truck today!

[caporider]

Finished this not too long ago and it's my first and maybe only SBR...

<snip>

I proceeded along very similar lines of thought. I opted for a BCM 12.5" upper receiver group with pinned FSP. It is set up to take a Surefire reflex-type suppressor. DD Mk18 RIS II FSP handguard is great, T-1 doesn't really require any explanation, and the light is a Surefire VTAC L4 in a Gear Sector offset mount.

[johnson]

Do you already have the suppressor? I was planning to get one but they're discontinued.

[caporider]

Do you already have the suppressor? I was planning to get one but they're discontinued.

Yes, I sure do.

[Mr.Goodtimes]

It really sucks that surefire discontinued their reflex 5.56 cans. I hope that AAC holds on to the SPR-M4. Johnson, that's an extremely well thought out rifle and exactly what I am going to do with mine except I'll be using the standard MK18 rail with flip up BUIS or the centurion HK BUIS and an AAC SPR-M4. I found a place that stocks the SPR-M4 muzzle brakes so I'm going to jump on it as soon as my trust is ready.

EDIT: your rifle is pretty tempting Johnson, part of me wants to go with the FSB and the other part doesn't. If I go with a non FSB I'm really leaning towards the Centurion Arms HK sights.

[goteron]

This gun ends up being my travel gun. I break it down and drop it in a SO Tech bag if I am going to be more than I few hours away from the house.

Lower:
LWRC Lower - This is my SBR Lower, nothing special about it
GI Trigger - SSA Didnt do anything for me
KNS Pins - I installed, realized it was stupid, and dont have the original pins... Doesnt hurt anything
Magpul BAD - I have had great success with it, no malfunctions, and makes life easier
Magpul ASAP - Works well with the MS2 Bungied to the Stock
Magpul MOE Grip - I like the grip Profile, prefer this over all others
Magpul CTR - Light and effective
Rainier BCG - Good Quality, and they ship before you actually order


Upper
Spikes Upper - Forged, nothing special
10.5" LW Barrel 1/7 - Save Weight
Shaved FSB - No reason to spend money on an actual Lo-Pro FSB
Troy TRX Extreme - One of my favorite rails. Perfect length, llight weight, and thin
Magpul MVG - Modified to be a Direct Mount to the TRX
Mount-N-Slot HandStop - So I don't burn my hands, and to give me something to push against in the event I need to
Surefire M300A - Perfect size and good mounting options
Mount-n-slot Scout Mount - Light, small, and allows me to keep it off the rail
Surefire SR04 Tape Switch - 12 o clock mounting and no extra cords
Muzzle Device - Soon to be replaced by an AAC 51T Blackout FH for mounting SDN-6 and Mini-4
No BUIS - Not needed for this gun in this capacity
Aimpoint T-1 - Small, Light, long battery life
DD T-1 Mount - No Need for QD as there are no BUIS, Lightweight and strong