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Posted: 9/23/2009 5:07:56 PM EDT
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Hi.... long-time lurker, new to ARs (but definitely not HP rifles) and the forum.
Lookin' for some opinions... My first build is coming along nicely, I think. I started with a CMMG stripped lower and a CMMG LPK. The trigger is a little rough, so I'll eventually replace it, most probably with a JP tactical (3.5-4 lb). I've gone with a fixed A2 stock since every collapsible stock I've tried yanks hairs off my full-bearded face. For an upper I'm thinking of going with this: Rock River Arms 16" Air-Gauged Wilson stainless steel barrel with .223 Wylde chamber and 1/8 twist rate. Midlength handguards and steel front sight tower with bayonet lug. Flat top receiver. Complete with bolt and forged charging handle. $540 + $14 shipping, about half-way down this page: http://www.pkfirearms.com/content/1/20/57/77 I like what I've read about the Wylde chamber, the 1/8 twist and midlength guns in general. The purpose of the build is to have a relatively light, fairly short, amazingly accurate carbine that is a joy to shoot. Am I on the right track? I could also go with a less expensive upper assembly, there are several available, of course... if I wanted to just put the gun together and shoot. There might be one of these in the future (depending on how soon civilization collapses), but I'm thinking not for my first (and maybe only, who knows?) AR. I've already bought a back-up, folding, rear sight (Magpul's MBUS) to give me that capability and to be able to play as I decide on optics. Optics... I'm really not tempted to go "tacticool", just to KISS and have some fun. I'm not looking to put anything on it that relies on batteries, so I'm looking at simple, light, glass. I'm leaning quite heavily towards either the 1-3X or the 2-7X Weaver in a RRA high-rise mount. What do you think of these choces? Do you think that for a AR 15 the 1-3X be more useful in terms of quick, primary sighting at 1X with "long" range at 3X, or would it not make that much difference to go with 2X for quick sighting and be more useful at higher powers for distance? Any thoughts, of any kind, would be appreciated. |
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Sounds like you've narrowed it down to a pretty good choice based upon your wants/needs. I really like the 1/8 barrels and wish more companies would offer it since I think it's a nice compromise.
Normally I encourage people to spend a little extra to get a BCM, Colt, DD, LMT, etc but in this case I don't feel like they would match your needs as well as the RRA upper your looking at. I say get it and enjoy it. It will be your first of many 
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| Sounds great to me. RRA SS barrels are supposed to be very nice for the cash, but nobody has them and I don't want a complete upper. I really like the Millett DMS 1-4x on my M4, especially for only 2 bills. You don't need validation with a build like that, you need ammo! |
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Thanks for the comments. This journey has been a blast thus far... and will get better when I get shooting.
I'm planning to reload to squeeze whatever I can out the system... just like with the rest of my guns. What about my thoughts on scopes and mounts? Is the RRA high-rise a good mount? Would the 1-3X be better for my needs than the 2-7X? The maximum target range I currently have available is 100 yards. |
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I think I've decided (finally) that I'm going with the Weaver Classic 2-7x on a RRA mount.
Playing with other rifles I have, 2x is plenty low enough for an almost instant sight picture as cloe as 15 yards. The 7x will be useful as range increases, as I think it will as I explore the potential of this rifle system. And besides, in SD applications... aren't shotguns and pistols specifially meant for dealing with targets within 25 yards? It's beyond 50 yards that I'll need the rifle, and the extra magnification will come in handy. |
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I have a burris 2-7x on my carbine and i love having the 7x for 100yd ranges. However, when i get home from the range i usually take off the scope and just leave my backup iron sight on for home defense use.
I dont know much about RRA's mount but i do know that Burris' XTR Tactical rings are extremely durable and a great value. The Extra high Rings put my scope at almost perfect height when using my CTR stock. Now i kinda wish i would have waited for the Burris P.E.P.R one piece mount though. I think i will just save up and get a Larue mount though. |
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I see by reading around that the RRA mount is one of the higher ones around, but it'll take up most of the top rail. This means that I probably won't be able to keep the MBUS mounted with the scope, which doesn't seem a big deal to me right now.
I kinda like the idea of swapping the scope for irons when the gun isn't not at the range. I wonder how well the RRA returns to zero, and if a carry handle would do the same. Having a detatchable carry handle and a score both zeroed and ready to run would be a good thing... how would it work out in practice? |
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Well my sight i put on is my old carry handle that i chopped. I think it looks alot better than a full carry handle plus it is lighter. I also like the sight picture better not looking through the "tunnel" from the edges of the carry handle part. But it works great swapping over on my setup. Don't get me wrong im fast with my scope on 2x, but i just feel in a situation where i need my rifle, would most likely be at night, i'd like to be able to have full range of view. you do not get that through a scope.
Edit: Also in case you were wondering, Even on 2x i can't see my front sight with my scope. With a 1x scope you will see it though. |
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Forgive me for the multiple posts... I'm really geeked about all this coming together.
you'd think I was 16 years old.
Ordered the RRA upper last night from PK... found some XM193 ammo, got 400 rounds... and reloading dies, Hornady bullets... haven't yet ordered the scope. Still torn between 1-3x or 2-7x. Still leaning towards 2-7x. Still looking for other opinions and options. |
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