AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/21/2010 3:43:57 AM EDT
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I wanted a good rifle for SHTF and at first I thought about just using my highly modified AK. But then I started thinking about how heavy it would get if I were forced to bug out from my current location with other survival gear. An AK with a load of 3 extra mags would get old pretty fast. I really admire the AK rifle from the standpoint of simplicity, reliability and ruggedness. But they can be heavy.
In my opinion a SHTF rifle must be lightweight and simple. So this is what I have built. It has an Armalite lower with MagPul grip and trigger guard. The grip has the insert that allows for an extra bolt and firing pin. I taped them in because otherwise they rattle around. The M4A2 upper is a CMMG 14.5 inch with permanent Phantom FH. I put the Israeli grips on the handguards because I like the way you can get a grip on them if your hands are wet, muddy or bloody. I also put a bayonet mount rail on it with a CAA light mount and Surefire light. To top it off, it has the Osprey HB piston kit installed, which I figured would make it more reliable and require less cleaning. The sights have Trijicon night sights installed in them. The sling is a Vickers combat sling. While optics would surely optimize tactical use, I don't want the added weight. 
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| Only suggestion I would make is to cut back the Israeli handguard sleeve a bit to allow the area where the piston expels hot gases to "breathe". Under sustained fire those handguards will heat up pretty good, so I can only imagine how fast it will warm up if *enclosed*. Look through the top of the handguards and see how many holes back it will take to keep the area of the piston's recoil exposed and trim it from there forward. It'll still leave you plenty to grasp onto unless you're one of the way-out-forward folks. |
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Quoted:
I wanted a good rifle for SHTF and at first I thought about just using my highly modified AK. But then I started thinking about how heavy it would get if I were forced to bug out from my current location with other survival gear. An AK with a load of 3 extra mags would get old pretty fast. I really admire the AK rifle from the standpoint of simplicity, reliability and ruggedness. But they can be heavy. In my opinion a SHTF rifle must be lightweight and simple. So this is what I have built. It has an Armalite lower with MagPul grip and trigger guard. The grip has the insert that allows for an extra bolt and firing pin. I taped them in because otherwise they rattle around. The M4A2 upper is a CMMG 14.5 inch with permanent Phantom FH. I put the Israeli grips on the handguards because I like the way you can get a grip on them if your hands are wet, muddy or bloody. I also put a bayonet mount rail on it with a CAA light mount and Surefire light. To top it off, it has the Osprey HB piston kit installed, which I figured would make it more reliable and require less cleaning. The sights have Trijicon night sights installed in them. The sling is a Vickers combat sling. While optics would surely optimize tactical use, I don't want the added weight. http://www.mdsoptics.com/pics/shtf1.jpg http://www.mdsoptics.com/pics/shtf2.jpg I think a flat top upper with an Aimpoint T-1 and lightweight mount would be pretty comparable in weight to your A2 carry handle upper. I'd take an optic over a carry handle any day. |
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