The AR-15 Chronicles
Well, there was an accident on 405. That's my excuse. It's better to go chill at the Kirkland gun shop (Discount Gun Sales) than be parked behind some asshole in a Lexus, right?!
A few weeks ago, I went forward with my build-an-AR-15 plan. This wasn't related to the election, it was just bad timing on my part. I dramatically underestimated the amount of sheer and utter panic that Obama would cause.
I'm not panicking, but all the idiots freaking out caused me no end of trouble. You see nothing but "OUT OF STOCK! NO BACKORDER" on every website selling every part.
Being the ninja that I am, however, I managed to russle up everything I needed:
1. A DPMS Lower Receiver. This is the part that the BATF considers 'The Firearm'. Interesting, because it's the part that does the least. Still, it has the serial number and must be shipped to an FFL. I bought mine locally at the Kirkland shop for 140! Notice that it's 190 from the manufacturer (with a backlog of several months).
2. A Rock River Arms upper receiver with a 16" Stainless 1/8 twist match barrel and a .223 Wylde chamber. Sadly, it's a heavy barrel. I hate heavy barrels. I really wanted Government Profile or Medium Contour, but you take what you can get. Ordered from PK Firearms. Awesome people, fast shipping, no '9 years to process your order even though it's in stock because we're a bunch of 'tards' crap like a lot of other vendors are doing. If it's on their website, it's in stock and will ship in a day.
3. A Rock River lower receiver parts kit with a two-stage match trigger. This is all the nuts and bolts and springs that make the gun go BOOM, coupled with a fancy trigger. Also ordered from PK.
I put it all together myself, and tested it out in Oregon over Thanksgiving. It worked! This last Sunday, I went up to Norpoint in Arlington to attend a rifle class a friend was putting on. This would be the first real sighting in and testing of the rifle.
After fixing the sights properly, I was shooting three-round groups that would have all three holes touching each other. Not bad for a brand new rifle. It definitely shoots better than me.
I did have the occasional flyer, as I discovered that my crappy M-4 style collapsible carbine stock did just that. Collapse. I'd fire a round, and the recoil would be enough to collapse it. Quite irritating.
So on my way home, I picked up a Magpul CTR stock. It fits my commercial buffer tube perfectly with no play at all. I'd really like a UBR stock, but they cost almost 300 bucks and are impossible to find. They sell out so fast no one can keep them in stock.
It's heavier than the CTR, so I think it will balance out the heavy barrel a little better.
Also got some Midwest Industries Carbine-length handguards to replace the stock plastic ones.
Oh, and another AR-15 Lower Receiver, since they had them in stock. (sigh). They are going like hotcakes, so I figured I'd get one more...after all, it can't hurt right? I'M NOT AN ADDICT. I SWEAR!
Now I'm planning an 18" SPR rifle. Except with a 1/8 twist and a medium/government profile barrel, not heavy.
But I'll wait until after I finish buying Christmas presents for everyone else. :)
Yeah, this is what I've been doing with my time. Exciting, isn't it?
R
A few weeks ago, I went forward with my build-an-AR-15 plan. This wasn't related to the election, it was just bad timing on my part. I dramatically underestimated the amount of sheer and utter panic that Obama would cause.
I'm not panicking, but all the idiots freaking out caused me no end of trouble. You see nothing but "OUT OF STOCK! NO BACKORDER" on every website selling every part.
Being the ninja that I am, however, I managed to russle up everything I needed:
1. A DPMS Lower Receiver. This is the part that the BATF considers 'The Firearm'. Interesting, because it's the part that does the least. Still, it has the serial number and must be shipped to an FFL. I bought mine locally at the Kirkland shop for 140! Notice that it's 190 from the manufacturer (with a backlog of several months).
2. A Rock River Arms upper receiver with a 16" Stainless 1/8 twist match barrel and a .223 Wylde chamber. Sadly, it's a heavy barrel. I hate heavy barrels. I really wanted Government Profile or Medium Contour, but you take what you can get. Ordered from PK Firearms. Awesome people, fast shipping, no '9 years to process your order even though it's in stock because we're a bunch of 'tards' crap like a lot of other vendors are doing. If it's on their website, it's in stock and will ship in a day.
3. A Rock River lower receiver parts kit with a two-stage match trigger. This is all the nuts and bolts and springs that make the gun go BOOM, coupled with a fancy trigger. Also ordered from PK.
I put it all together myself, and tested it out in Oregon over Thanksgiving. It worked! This last Sunday, I went up to Norpoint in Arlington to attend a rifle class a friend was putting on. This would be the first real sighting in and testing of the rifle.
After fixing the sights properly, I was shooting three-round groups that would have all three holes touching each other. Not bad for a brand new rifle. It definitely shoots better than me.
I did have the occasional flyer, as I discovered that my crappy M-4 style collapsible carbine stock did just that. Collapse. I'd fire a round, and the recoil would be enough to collapse it. Quite irritating.
So on my way home, I picked up a Magpul CTR stock. It fits my commercial buffer tube perfectly with no play at all. I'd really like a UBR stock, but they cost almost 300 bucks and are impossible to find. They sell out so fast no one can keep them in stock.
It's heavier than the CTR, so I think it will balance out the heavy barrel a little better.
Also got some Midwest Industries Carbine-length handguards to replace the stock plastic ones.
Oh, and another AR-15 Lower Receiver, since they had them in stock. (sigh). They are going like hotcakes, so I figured I'd get one more...after all, it can't hurt right? I'M NOT AN ADDICT. I SWEAR!
Now I'm planning an 18" SPR rifle. Except with a 1/8 twist and a medium/government profile barrel, not heavy.
But I'll wait until after I finish buying Christmas presents for everyone else. :)
Yeah, this is what I've been doing with my time. Exciting, isn't it?
R