top-quark.AR15

The AR-15

It's hard to start a page like this without a long-winded and boring historical overview of the AR-15 and its military cousins, the M16 and M4. So, instead, I'm going to link you to the Wikipedia page for the (commonly) semi-automatic AR-15 and the burst-fire and full auto military versions, the M16 and the M4.

That said, it wouldn't really do the platform justice if I didn't have some nice personal remarks to make about the platform. In my experience, there is no class of firearm on the market that is more flexible, reliable, accurate, ergonomic, and effective. It's also very nice looking.

If I were to list the AR15's greatest flaws, chief among them would be its immense addictive potential. With the possible exception of the Ruger 10/22, no firearm on the market is as customizable to the needs of its owner than the AR. My particular rifle has evolved considerably since I built its first incarnation in high school. An interesting, albeit large, depiction of the process can be seen here.

Presently, it looks like:

Upper Receiver Component Discussion

This section title is somewhat misleading, owing to the fact that it's a bit outdated. The truth of the matter is that, like many AR-15 fans, I've come to own multiple uppers. I'll mainly detail the most modern of my uppers here.

• CMT Upper Receiver

  Bit miffed about this upper, actually. While functionally it's quite nice, the surface reminds me a good bit of Edward Olmos' face:

  
  Well, at least I thought it was a good comparison...

  Mind you, it's not a bad receiver, but smoother is better. I'm told the cause of the "cratering" is because the manufacturer forgot to sandblast; confidence-inspiring, isn't it? I won't complain, though; it was one of the first commonly-available uppers with the T-markings on top. Also, I may be just unlucky. Other CMT uppers look fantastic, and I'm told they've moved to laser etching of the markings. If so, they are an excellent choice.

• Model 1 Sales Lightweight Barrel

  So long as I do my part, it's capable of minute-of-angle precision within 5-10 rounds. Afterwards, it tends to string vertically, but it's not really noticeable in the field. Overall, I like the barrel. It's light, reliable, and accurate. What I don't like is the vendor. In my opinion, Model 1 Sales is the biggest band of miserly skinflints in the world. I'm buying a barrel for $135, and it occurs to me that they're charging me for a sling swivel and the RIVET used to attach it. Next time, I'll just get a Bushmaster "superlight" and be done with it. You get handguards, a gastube, a flash hider, MP testing, and chrome lining that way, too.

• Midwest Industries #17X Railed Handguard

  I bought these somewhat recently. The neat thing about them is that I had a role in their development! I suggested on an ARFCOM thread that Midwest produce a 2-piece rail system like the KAC MRE, and mere months later, the first prototype showed up! It's not ideal, in that the bottom front part of the rail is missing, but it's still much better than the normal carbine-length rail systems, since my preference is to mount my flashlight up front. I also have the option of mounting a bayonet!

• EOTech 552.A65, Rev. E

  The centerpiece of my rifle. I can't think of a piece of optical equipment more suited to my kind of shooting than the EOTech. Well, at least none that don't require a second mortgage. The 65 MOA outer ring is perfect for quick close range shots, and the 1 MOA inner dot means excellent long range accuracy potential. One nice point about EOTechs (or any red "dot") is the uniquely usable setups you can construct by co-witnessing with irons and keeping both eyes open:

  
  (Simulated view with both eyes open)

  I do have some small reservations about the sight, though. The AA battery version is pretty hefty at 10 or so ounces, and throws the balance of the rifle off a bit. The N battery version is a bad choice for where I live, because it gets cold, and there's no lithium N cells. Also, the sight has really awful return-to-zero, even when retorquing consistently. I could go for a Larue or YHM riser, but the former is expensive, and the latter flimsy.

  Apparently, all these problems have been solved in the 553, which features CR123 batteries, ARMS throw levers, and a fixed-rate 30 year mortgage.

• Cut Carry Handle Back-up Iron Sight

  It's actually a National Match carry handle that I off the ar15.com Equipment Exchange pre-chopped. "Chopped" being the appropriate word, given that it was done with all the deftness of a paraplegic wielding a chainsaw. With a little bit of Dremel finesse, bastard file persuasion, and sandpaper.. sanding, it cleaned up very well. My friend Arin (proprietor of Profile Tactical, makers of fine slings and other products) helped me out by KG Gunkoting the sight.

  Some have asked me why I went with the NM non-milspec aperture. Since I run a carbine barrel, the markedly smaller aperture makes for much better precision than the A2 aperture, while still being usable with a flashlight in the dark. I hate the A2 large aperture with a passion.

  I am half-heartedly considering replacing this with a Troy flip-up BUIS. My EOTech consumes batteries only very slowly, and is exceedingly durable. It might be nice to have a full window. We'll see, though.

• Rock River Arms "Enhanced" Bolt Carrier

  Smooth, with the M16-style fully-protected firing pin. The one thing to look out for is that if you buy it separately from a vendor, the gas key may be unassembled. In that case, you'd better stake the gas key screws. Or else. (I haven't!!!)

• Colt Bolt

  The one Colt brand component in my rifle, and the only Colt part that I feel is superior to other makes. The Colt bolts are all MP tested and shot-peened. I got mine for $50, lightly used, and feel it was a good purchase. The heavy extractor spring and an o-ring make it extraordinarily reliable. Next time, though, I'll buy a CMT bolt; they're also correctly made, and will allow me to continue my anti-Colt "jihad" with a minimum of hypocrisy.

  I used to have an Olympic Arms "ERing" single-piece gas ring on my bolt. I removed it, though, since it was causing trouble with the bolt locking, despite thousands of rounds of use. I have a review here.

• Phantom 5C2 Flash Suppressor

  It's much more effective than the standard military A2 flashhider, and it's got teeth! A+++

• PRI Military Big Latch

  IMO, the top price/performance upgrade you can do, and at $20, it's something anyone can afford to pick up. Unlike other extended charging handle latches, I find it doesn't dig into my front or back when it's slung hands-free.

  The Big Latch is really great for failure/clearance drills that involve yanking back hard on the charging handle, and it really enhances certain operations, like being able to pull the charging handle while keeping the rifle pointed at the target. Not that you can't do that with the standard latch; it's just that I've punched myself in the face before. The utility is highlighted with gloved or sweaty hands (eeew!), but if you plan to use your rifle defensively, you should plan for the adrenaline-fuelled fat fingers syndrome.

  For those of us using flat tops and quick-detach optics, an extended latch is sometimes required; the PRI Big Latch would be my choice.

Lower Receiver Component Discussion

This section title is somewhat misleading, owing to the fact that it's a bit outdated. The truth of the matter is that, like many AR-15 fans, I've come to own multiple uppers. I'll mainly detail the most modern of my uppers here.

• PWA "Commando" Receiver

  PWA! People always email me questions about them, like I know anything. PWA is dead. They never made whole guns, just lowers and incomplete kits. There was a run of "postban" lowers, and I've got one of them. They're somehow tied to LMT, which is why PWA and LMT receivers are so alike. I don't know precisely how.

  I'm reasonably happy with this lower. It's very professional in appearance. The finish is matte, the logo is discreet, and the parts fit is mostly very good. It suffers, though, in that milling marks are very apparent, there's some material gaps on the surface, and the interface with my BattleGrip leaves a gap. Also, the rear shelf is high, ala Rock River Arms; not that I'll be stumbling across ten grand for an autosear anytime soon. But man, it's marked "Commando".

• Rock River Arms Lower Parts Kit

  The lower parts kit is of pretty high quality, not counting the greasy bag it came in. My only legitimate niggle is that there's a slight surface imperfection in the safety selector. It doesn't impair function at all, though.

  I've modified the hammer on this rifle, such that the tail has been removed.

  

  This has perceptibly reduced the lock time on the rifle, such that hitting moving targets is slightly easier.

  Actually, I lied. There is something else that bothers me. The trigger pull was a gritty abomination at first; not terribly unlike filing down one's teeth with a wood rasp. Not that I've done that, but I know someone out there just flinched. A good bit of dry firing, "boosting", and Flitz smoothed it up, and an application of anti-seize grease brought it to good order. Lots of dry firing would've done the same, though, I suspect.

• TangoDown Battlegrip

  I did a review (shameless promotion) on my blog some time ago. As I wrote originally, the profile's much too thin to be conducive to precise shooting. It also leaves an unsightly gap when used in conjunction with my PWA lower. Really, the only reason it's still there is that I haven't been able to overcome my embarrassing affinity for its sleek, svelte contours. It also holds batteries.

• Magpul Triggerguard

  Yes, it reeks of frivolousness, but it's an affordable luxury. If you wear gloves in the winter (a good idea), this is actually a real improvement over the standard flip down guard that hasn't quite worked right since the M16A1 days. To be honest, I don't have one on my gun anymore, since I managed to get the setscrew broken off inside of it, and recovery efforts weren't successful. It was all my fault, though, and it's still a good piece of gear

• Cavalry Arms M4 Stock

  By far the best plastic offered on M4-pattern stocks on the market. It rattles slightly on my RRA buffer tube, but there's nothing duct tape can't fix. I've affixed a bit of loop velcro to the top, for better cheekweld and comfort in cold weather. My only wish is that Cavarms made a milspec tube version.

Auxiliary Equipment

• Surefire G2

  My old weapon light. Unbeatable value, as far as Surefire lights go. The polymer construction is uncommonly durable. Definitely in the tactical realm; it's bright enough to temporarily blind nightvision (organic and synthetic varieties). Supposedly, the G2 isn't very firearms-suitable; the bezel's not shock-isolated and the batteries aren't overtravel-limited. I put it though a couple thousand rounds without issue, though.. My conclusion is that it's not expensive enough for gear-queer shooters.

• Cheapie Pressure Switch

  I bought it from "brightflashlights" on ar15.com. At $15 or so, it's pretty decent, and not priced anything like the Surefire switches. It's also not nearly as refined, but it's definitely usable. The only downside is that, like any tape switch, it's sort of prone to accidental activation. I don't live the Rainbow Six lifestyle, though, so I imagine I'll be fine.

  I modded the switch to use the curly power cord from a radar detector. Figuring out the anatomy of the switch was a bear, but I did finally figure it out. You'll want a spanner wrench, though I used a pair of scissors from third grade.

• Pentagon Lights X2

  You can almost think of the X2 as explicitly addressing the shortcomings of the G2 as a weapons light. Price is about double, but the added value is easily triple. Shock-resistant bulb assembly, overtravel-limited batteries, metal body. Bulb is even brighter than the G2 w/ stock P60 bulb, by a significant margin. Surprisingly, the X2 also uses my G2's pressure switch, though the spring tends to dig into the batteries a good bit. I did a review some time ago that highlights the salient aspects of the light. I don't usually keep the X2 on my rifle, though, since it's a bit heavier than I like, and it's not Type-III hard-anodized. (it gets ugly)

• Magazines

  USGI ONLY. After some unfortunate experiences early in my hobby, I refuse to use anything but Uncle Sam's finest. The only difference is that I've outfitted mine with Magpul followers. The marriage of Magpul follower and USGI aluminum magazine produces what is, in my opinion and experience, a magazine superior to even the expensive HK STANAG magazine. I did a review on the followers earlier.

• Sling

  Standard USGI "silent sling". I'm not smart enough to use the 3-point slings, and I don't really see their benefit over the 2-point standard sling, if properly employed. It doesn't tangle, it'd easy to figure out, it's fast, it allows good transition to sidearm, it allows hands-free carry, it lets you carry over your back. I'm happy with mine. My only complaint is that my particular sling is a bit short for dynamic shooting.

Future Directions

For my present setup, I intend to do very little in additional modifications. A vertical foregrip (VFG) that costs more than $5 is definitely going to find its way to my rail. The rail is likely to be changed over to a Daniel Defense 9.5FSP or 12.0FSP, as I find that the Midwest rail is satisfactory, but heavy. A bipod is a distinct possibility, as is an VLTOR or "Crane" carbine stock. The stocks are a reflection of the fact that I'd like to carry batteries for both my EOTech and flashlight, and that I don't really have a place right now to keep spare parts.

I recently started my "primitive" or "girly" upper, built around an M4 barrel and slickside SP1 upper. People complain that my rifle with modern upper, at 8.3 pounds, is a little porky and hard to handle. Though the DD rail changeover will be helping out some, it is nice to have a more basic setup. At 6.5 pounds unloaded, this new upper is very quick and enjoyable. The A1 sights are wonderful, as is the balance of the whole setup. My only wish, really, is that I had a forward assist. But, given that the upper was practically given to me by my friend "DaBunny" from ar15.com chat, I'm happy enough just to have it. The only changes I can see myself making to the upper are removing the fake flashhider for a permanently-attached Phantom 5C2 ($60 from ar15barrels.com), and maybe switching out the upper for one with forward assist. It's wonderful as-is, though.