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Posted: 7/18/2011 6:48:54 AM EDT
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Lower:
I used a CMMG lower that I have had on the shelf for years, and ordered a Mil Spec parts set from Black Rifles. I also ordered a Mil Spec 6 position GI stock at the same time. I also got a set of Yankee Hill extended take down pins to try out. I checked the spring detent holes to make sure they were all clear, and started assembly. I got a small SS bowl I normally put bullets in while reloading and put a small quantity of Ed's Red Gun Oil in it. (50/50 blend of Dextron III and Mobile 1). I dropped all parts in the oil before assembly. Every thing went together without issue. I did notice the Mil Spec Hammer was of the notched variety. (See after action report below) Upper: My Tactical Solution's M4 upper came in Friday. I did some checking and Missouri Mule out of Anchorage AK had the best price I could find on one. It was listed on his web site as coming with 2 magazines. I called Dennis and talked with him about the M4 for a few minutes. He was very helpful. The first thing I noticed was the packaging when I opened the box. It was well done. The parts were protected from shipping damage by a foam cutout panel. After getting everything out of the box I noticed that the Bolt was secured in the upper by a Zip Tie so that you did not accidentially drop it out of the upper, and damage it while getting everything out of the packageing. That was a very good idea. The barrel has the M4 cuts, and comes with an AR15 Flat Top front sight with Bayonet Lug, and an A2 flash supressor. It has round handguards with single heat shield on it. A Good Looking Unit. I took the upper to the shop, and after reading the instructions front to back, I cut the zip tie and took the bolt out. The TacSol bolt assembly is stainless steel, and looked to be very well made. I oiled the recoil spring, and lubed up all sliding parts with Lubriplate NO. 105 Motor Assembly Grease (The Original White Grease). I next ran a cleaning rod with patch through the barrel a couple passes. It said the units were test fired at the factory. Looking at the patches it looked like they had indeed function fired the upper. I now put everything back together, and installed the upper on my lower. Sights: I got the M4 Style Upper which is a Flat Top that comes with a Mil Spec M4 front sight. I looked around and located my Colt flat top carry handle with A2 sights that I have had for years gathering dust, and installed it. I again oiled the sight with some Ed's Red, as it was dry as a bone. Magazines: The TacSol Upper came with 2 of the Gen II Black Dog 25 round magazines in the box. I left them on the bench for the moment. I had ordered 5 new Black Dog steel lip 25 round magazines on 6 July when Black Dog started taking orders for them, I had ordered 3 Smokes, and 2 Black glass filled nylon ones. They all look great. With the Smoke you can see the rounds in the magazine, and tell how many rounds are in it. With the Black ones you just refill them till full again. If I were to do it again I would probably go with all Smokes this time. To The Range Saturday: I put the M4 AR15-22 in my Eagle M4 case for transport to the range. It has 4 magazine pockets, so I put 4 magazines in the pockets, and a 5th in the gun worked out perfect. Off to the range I went. On the first magazine I had a malfunction. I had a case stay in the action sideways between the bolt and breach face. The rifle chambered a round, almost, and It fired in that condition when I pulled the trigger for the next shot. This blew out the back of the case. I opened it up and took the bolt out. No damage to anything was apparent. I pulled the case out of the chamber with a pocket knife, and put it aside. I put everything back together and went back to shooting without incident. I put up a silhouette with a target Dot at 25 yards next. I went to shooting, and adjusting the open sights. It was shooting Low and Right. I did not get enough Up elevation out of the front sight, and went to adding up with the rear A2 sight. I next went to shooting rocks on the 50 yard berm, and making a few more sight adjustments, till I was happy with it. I ended up with the back sight over to the left from center when done. I had a few more function issues mostly not getting a case out of the action, but it was getting less frequent the more I shot it. Using One Magazine. First Match Sunday: Sunday we had our 2 Gun Combat Match after the Multi Range F Class. We have a Rimfire Division that the AR15-22 is just made for. Remember the part about using only 1 magazine Saturday. I loaded up 2 for the 2-Gun Match. The unused one was in the gun first. I had to clear 3 jams on the first magazine. When I ran it dry and changed magazines it ran the second one flawlessly. A little later in the day I ran the course again. This time with no problems at all. When we were taking a rest in the shade, I loaded all 3 Smoke magazines and burned rounds through all 3. All ran perfect this time. My son ran a couple magazines through it also with no malfunctions. After Action Report: I think everything I have read on this site about the function of a AR15-22 is very accurate. You need to run around 300 rounds through one to start with before worrying very much. (Using all your magazines to do this. I think the magazines need broken in a little also before they function flawlessly) I plan to clean it today and Buzz the Chamber with a brush, as outlined on this site. I will also get out the Drimmel Tool and polish the Feed Ramp. I will relube it with Lubriplate 105 just like before. I did not notice any issues I could relate to the notched hammer using the Tactical Solutions Upper. I do not think we had any malfunctions the last 200 or so rounds fired through it. I believe it is going to be a keeper. Upgrades to be done: I will probably get some optical sights on it at some point. I have an Eotec on my M4 that I like pretty well, but I do not think I will spend that much on this build at this time anyway. I will give the Tactical Solutions M4 Upper a big thumbs up. The new Black Dog Steel Lip Magazines should be a big success also. I think I will Buzz the chamber on my Mk III Ruger at the same time, and also polish the reed ramp on it. See You at the Range Bob |
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