When I do an AR build, I really like Faxon barrels. The problem is that all of those are out of stock. I am thinking about doing an AR build and would like recommendations on a quality barrel. Please let me know your thoughts in comments.
Arts and Crafts
Tactical coordination
Imagine using these thermal imaging scopes and their ATN radar mode to track Antifa rioters peaceful protesters and sharing that information real time between team members.
This would be an incredible force multiplier. However, if things went hot it would also allow you to be tracked. Even so, I’m sure there are some great uses for it, as long as you are careful.
Arts and Crafts
Range Report
The new 80 percent lower arrived over the weekend. Before I even began, I checked the magazine catch slot to ensure it was the proper size. I began the milling operation at 7:30 this morning, and the entire rifle was ready to go by 10:00.*
The upper
- The barrel is an 18 inch Faxon Pencil Barrel. Lightweight, accurate, good heat dissipation. $270
- The BCG is a low mass operating system with JP Enhanced bolt. $450 Let me tell you, Big Country was enthralled by this BCG when he saw it at the blog shoot back in March.
- Extended charging handle, $53
- The upper receiver is an Aero precision from Brownell’s: $170
- A WMB Nitromet gas tube. $18
- An Edge Carbon Fiber handguard from Brigand Arms: $394, plus the sling swivel, which added another $30 to the order.
- The gas block was a spare adjustable one I had lying around the house. I think it cost in the neighborhood of $50.
Total cost for the completed upper was $1435.
The lower
- 5D tactical 80 percent AR-10 lower, $140
- The buffer tube assembly caught on sale from Righttobear.com $80
- Kyntec 3.25″ Hydraulic Recoil Buffer, $130
- Geiselle SSA two stage trigger, $228
- Stainless Steel Buffer Spring, $29
- Miscellaneous pins, springs, etc., $50
- Geiselle Stainless Steel Magazine catch $22
- Daniel Defense buttstock $71
Total cost for the completed lower was $750.
The Glass
- I decided to go with a Low Power Variable Optic for this rifle. I got a 1 to 8 power LPVO scope from Primary Arms. It has the ACSS reticle. Cost $390.
- I mounted that scope on the rifle with a 30mm Quick Disconnect mount from American Defense. $190.
- I also got a throw lever to make power adjustments faster and easier. $20
The total cost of this rifle without considering the optics was $2185. If you count the cost of the scope and its mount, the total project cost was $2,785. The rifle with the scope mounted weighs in at 8.85 pounds.
I headed out to the range to test fire it. If functions fine, with the brass coming out at the 3 o’clock position, so I have the gas block tuned correctly. The first target was at 25 yards, five shots to get a 25 yard zero. The first shot was the one that is the lowest, most rightward one.
Once it was dialed in at 25 yards, the target was placed at 100 yards. I fired two five round groups. The first group is the five holes to the upper left. That group measured in at 6.25″. Some adjustments were made. The second group is the one to the lower right, which measured at just over 3.5″.
This rifle isn’t a tack driver, but it isn’t meant to be. Then again, the loose groups are probably because I haven’t had much range time for about a year. I think some more range time is in order.
I have no relationship with any of the vendors or manufacturers mentioned in this post, other than me being a customer. The prices paid and any discounts I received were those available to the general public.
*The rifle is ALMOST done. When I was assembling it, I realized that I was out of roll pins for the bolt catch. I went to the range without a bolt catch installed. That will be rectified once the new pins arrive.
Arts and Crafts
Resuming the build
Thanks to the magazine catch on my lower being out of spec, all work on the skirmish rifle had to come to a halt. The slot for the magazine catch is supposed to be 0.250″ but looking at the measurement, you can see that this is not the case:
Since it is several thousandths too small, the catch doesn’t fit. I sent this photo to 5d, the maker of my 80 percent lower, and they shipped me a new one. As soon as I get a day off, the build will resume.
Arts and Crafts
Out of Spec
So I decided to continue working on my Skirmish rifle this morning. I completed the machining of the lower that I got from 5d, washed it, dried it, and began to put the parts into the lower. The first step was the magazine catch, and…
It doesn’t fit. The slot in the lower is too small for the catch to fit. I tried a second catch, and that one doesn’t fit, either. So I am assuming that the slot that 5d cut for the magazine catch is out of spec. I emailed them, and we will see what they say.
In other news, here is the parts list so far for this lower:
- 5D tactical 80 percent AR-10 lower
- The buffer tube assembly caught on sale from Righttobear.com $80
- Kyntec 3.25″ Hydraulic Recoil Buffer, $130
- Geiselle SSA two stage trigger, $240
- Stainless Steel Buffer Spring, $29
- Miscellaneous pins, springs, etc., $50
- Due to this recent setback, I am putting in a Geiselle Stainless Steel Magazine catch ($22)
- I still haven’t decided on a stock or pistol grip. I have time.
That brings the cost (so far) for this lower to $691, with nearly half of that ($270) being the trigger and buffer. I want to have this rifle done by the end of September, so I am still on schedule.
DISCLAIMER: I have no relationship with any of the vendors or manufacturers mentioned in this post, other than me being a customer. The prices paid and any discounts I received were those available to the general public.
Arts and Crafts
Can’t hear wife underwater
This man built a submarine during lockdown and took it to the bottom of the lake near his home. He had no engineering knowledge and didn’t even graduate from high school. My guess is that after being locked in his home with his wife for a year, he was tired of listening to her and built a submarine to escape.
Arts and Crafts
AWBans
California was sued by gun owners because they passed an “Assault Weapons” ban in 2018 which required all owners of the weapons to register them, but then the website for doing so was broken. At any rate, the parties have reached a settlement whereupon they agreed to reopen the “Assault Weapons” registry for 90 days and not punish gun owners for being “late” in registering their previously legal firearms.
How gracious.
Now Joe Biden and his communist cronies are looking to do the same thing on a nationwide scale. Did you know that you can make your own lower, free from government knowledge? Here is a great example:
You can get the jig, the tooling, and two 80% lowers for just under $625. After that, you can finish as many 80% lowers as you want.
Arts and Crafts
DIY 80% lower
I am posting this here without further comment.
First create a home made aluminum foundry:
Then make aluminum bullion:
Then you can create a rough aluminum casting of almost anything.
Or you can do a sandcasting