Posted: 1/28/2016 6:38:44 PM EDT
| I need some help choosing a rifle, I have been using a Daniel Defense ddm4 and want to upgrade. I have mainly been looking at the christensen arms vtac. Can anyone recommend this rifle and are there any other rifles I should consider? |
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What is it that you don't like about your DD? What is the rifle not doing/helping with that you want to change? What is the DD doing RIGHT that you want to retain?
What sort of distances are your average shots at most matches? Are you shooting primarily hoser stages in pistol bays, or do you have access to/need for 300+ yard shots regularly? Does your $2000 budget include the optic, or is that separate? The reason I ask these questions is that I'm just finishing up my second 3 gun rifle. I'll have a bit under your budget into it by the time I'm done - optic not included. I started this sport with a pretty pedestrian Rock River A4 midlength upper on a lower I assembled with a VLTOR EMod stock and shot that for a good year before I built a "game gun". By that time I had done a lot of thinking about what worked and didn't, and what I wanted a rifle to run like. That first 3 gun rifle I built is a very, very good rifle. It's an 18" rifle gas Nordic barrel on a lower with a fixed stock and a CMC trigger. The comp is right for the gun and it's very flat and fast on recovery shots. But it's also a bit of a pig. I built it thinking I'd have time to start shooting some of the regional matches with longer range targets, but I've ended up sticking around locally mostly, where you're rarely going to see shots much past 100 - so it's small targets at 100 yards and lots of short range hosers in pistol bays. Nothing wrong with that, it's fun. So my second build is a lighter, faster gun with two sighting systems (Vortex Razor 1-6 and some Magpul 45 degree irons). I went with a fluted 16" barrel and another fixed stock. Muzzle brake is a different trying to get away from the concussive blast of the DPMS Jerry brake. Just starting the testing now. I apologize for the length, but to circle back around - shooting my old RRA for a year gave me time to get into the game and decide what worked for me and how I wanted to shoot. In the case of both rifles I've built, I built them with my particular preferences in mind. I've looked at a ton of different rifles, both marketed for 3-gun and not. In all of them, I get the "It's sweet, but I prefer...." and then I start thinking about what I'd want to change to get it to fit me. I decided it's better to start from scratch and build what I wanted the first time. And understand that "build" may mean buying a BCM upper and mating it to a lower with your choice of trigger, safety selector, stock, and buffer system. Ponder what it is you're really looking for the rifle to do, and what your DD is doing for you - both right and wrong. Build or buy the rifle that keeps the positives but improves on the negatives. |
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With that budget you could get the Armalite M15 3gun rifle,
Armalite 3gun rifle the Rhino 3gun rifle, Rhino 3gun rifle or one of the new Nordic Components guns. Not released yet. Jesse can get you discount codes for Rhino or Nordic. Personally, I think your best option is to build a rifle. My 3gun rifle is a custom build, and I love it. Might be a little heavy for some people's tastes, but I wanted it that way. Shoots super flat, and is a tack driver. It's also a piston gun, which is fairly uncommon in 3gun, but it's what I wanted. |
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The Rhino Arms is / was nice, but it appears they are now out of business. I agree it is generally better to build. With that budget you can build a pretty nice rifle, minus optics. For a turn-key option I'd take a look at JP as well. A good 3 gun rifle is generally going to consist of a good stainless barrel, usually 18" rifle gas, .223 Wylde and 1/8 twist. Also a good trigger, JP, Hiperfire, AR Gold, etc. A good muzzle brake is important, lots to choose from. A lightweight carrier and lightweight buffer is a big plus. And an adjustable gas block is pretty much a must-have IMO. And of course a good optic and mount of your choice. I think the Christiansen is lacking in most of those areas.
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With that budget you could get the Armalite M15 3gun rifle, Armalite 3gun rifle the Rhino 3gun rifle, Rhino 3gun rifle or one of the new Nordic Components guns. Not released yet. Jesse can get you discount codes for Rhino or Nordic. Personally, I think your best option is to build a rifle. My 3gun rifle is a custom build, and I love it. Might be a little heavy for some people's tastes, but I wanted it that way. Shoots super flat, and is a tack driver. It's also a piston gun, which is fairly uncommon in 3gun, but it's what I wanted. |
| Its not that my DD isn't doing anything good or bad I'm just kind of wanting to keep it in a more stock/defense rifle set up. So I am looking for a 3 gun specific rifle. My budget is 2,000 for the rifle and i already have a razor 1-6. Could you guys suggest some good parts to build with (upper, lower, barrel, bolt...ect). Thank you guys for the help |
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Lots of options for parts, but here is a list of some of the parts I used on my last couple builds, plus some other items to consider
Quality mil-spec lower, I used Aero, or you could splurge on a nice billet one if you wanted. Quality LPK of your choice, I use Spike's without trigger group Hipefire 24C or 243G trigger, or JP EZ Trigger is what I use, but there are others such as CMC, Timney, AR Gold, etc. Decide on a buffer tube and stock, either fixed or collapsible, and a lightweight buffer set-up such as JP or Taccom, or the JP silent captured spring Aero upper, slick-side with no forward assist since my LW carriers don't have the notches for forward assist Lightweight BCG, AIM Surplus if you're on a budget, otherwise JP. 18" rifle gas barrel, .223 Wylde with 1/8 twist is good. I have Nordic and Odin Works, but there are lots of choices Good adjustable gas block, I like the click adjustable type, I'm using Syrac Gen 2 A good muzzle brake, lots of options here as well Handguard, I like a 15" on an 18" barrel, something reasonably light and slim Quoted:
Its not that my DD isn't doing anything good or bad I'm just kind of wanting to keep it in a more stock/defense rifle set up. So I am looking for a 3 gun specific rifle. My budget is 2,000 for the rifle and i already have a razor 1-6. Could you guys suggest some good parts to build with (upper, lower, barrel, bolt...ect). Thank you guys for the help |