AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/30/2012 1:13:17 PM EDT
|
After a year of planning, researching, and acquiring parts and tools, I finally finished building my first AR-15. I tested it a few days ago, and am absolutely thrilled with the results.
PSA lower, PSA blemished upper ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ ejection port cover, don't remember where I got it (inconspicuously closed in the pic, of course) PSA parts kits Magpul STR stock Ergo grip Daniel Defense 16" ML lightweight barrel, 1:7 twist Core15 BCG BCE Battlecomp http://www.mediafire.com/conv/23ba0898bfc15e813b8b063efac80916e7638b22f3c0ea8597d07e1222cc4d656g.jpg As you can see, this rifle is a combination of parts-bin and top-of-the-line. I was forced into this by a combination of availability and impatience, but I'm pleased with the final product. The trigger is a long drive down a gravel road with a pothole at the end, but it's adequate for the minute-of-paper-plate school of thought for the defensive carbine. The combination of the rifle's weight, the mid-length gas system, and the battlecomp reduces the already mild recoil of 5.56 ammunition by an incredible amount. Muzzle rise was nonexistent, and I felt like I was shooting 22lr instead of lake city XM193. I've only put 34 rounds through it so far. The first four were function checks, and the other 30 were divided into two 15-round groups on a plastic circle 12" across, one at 25 yards, the other at 75 yards. Mechanical zero was almost dead on, and my atrociously undisciplined offhand produced a level of accuracy more than adequate for this rifle's purpose. I'm planning to tune the trigger to make it smooth and short, but I like its weight (I'm guessing around 12 lbs) where it is. I'll also add a reflex sight when funds allow, but I intend to become proficient with the irons as well. Thanks to all of you on this forum who've provided such a vast body of information on these rifles, especially those who have made and fixed mistakes and dealt with common issues. Because of your savvy and altruism, I was able to foresee and forestall nearly every potential issue, and I ended up with a fine firearm in the end that suits my needs and wants perfectly, and one that I understand much more thoroughly than I would one I bought all in one piece. Many thanks. |
|
Congratulations! And good for you on learning the irons first. When all else fails, guess what you'll be left with! If you get the chance, shoot one with a fine trigger. But don't blame me if you tune yours. It's all about trigger at some point.
I just shot my first AR build upper today, and it was wonderful. When you force the target to totally give it up, you know you "done good". |
| Check out the yellow springs sold by JP Rifles. A set of those for about $10, plus some careful polishing of the engagement surfaces with fine sandpaper will work wonders on your GI trigger assembly. The end result is a smooth take up and rolling letoff with total weight about 4.5 lbs. I've had no trouble setting off commercial primers with the lighter hammer spring, but if that proves to be a problem, you can switch to a JP "red" hammer spring and still be better off. - CW |
|
Quoted:
Check out the yellow springs sold by JP Rifles. A set of those for about $10, plus some careful polishing of the engagement surfaces with fine sandpaper will work wonders on your GI trigger assembly. The end result is a smooth take up and rolling letoff with total weight about 4.5 lbs. I've had no trouble setting off commercial primers with the lighter hammer spring, but if that proves to be a problem, you can switch to a JP "red" hammer spring and still be better off. - CW I've been using the JP "red" spring sets for years, they work great and really clean up the feel of the GI trigger. No need to go spend over $200 on a trigger |
AR Sponsor