Ho ho ho, Santa came early (AR15 upgrades)

[Mlachica]

rifle is looking really good now! for triggers, i really like the 2-stage that came in my RRA lower. i tried it and one with the standard trigger out when i was shopping, and the difference was very noticeable. also not too heavy of a pull and very smooth movement. the stock trigger i could feel the trigger creep a few mils before dropping.

I read on the other forums that many RRA 2 stage triggers have lost their tension after minimul use. Maybe not an issue for everybody but it sounds like it's happened quite a bit. Look into Geissele (sp) triggers if you want a 2 stage. Very good reviews and they're about $180.

 

[Corey]

Just bought a laser bore sighter via Amazon.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/SightMark-Laser-Sights-Cartridge-Sizes/dp/B001BVI982/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1293645235&sr=1-1"]SightMark Laser Bore Sights Cartridge Sizes: SightMark AccuDot Laser Bore Sight - 223 Model SM39001[/ame]

There are some junk ones out there, but I have read the reviews of this one at Amazon and other sites, and it seems to be a good brand.

I intend on using it to fine tune in my Surefire X400 laser and light combo, and also the Acog TA31H-G I plan on getting before to long.

Anyone used a in chamber laser bore sighter before?
If so, did you have good luck with it?

 

[thebrassnuckles]

Just bought a laser bore sighter via Amazon.
SightMark Laser Bore Sights Cartridge Sizes: SightMark AccuDot Laser Bore Sight - 223 Model SM39001

There are some junk ones out there, but I have read the reviews of this one at Amazon and other sites, and it seems to be a good brand.

I intend on using it to fine tune in my Surefire X400 laser and light combo, and also the Acog TA31H-G I plan on getting before to long.

Anyone used a in chamber laser bore sighter before?
If so, did you have good luck with it?

the bore sighters are good for getting on paper, but they do not follow the flight patch of the bullet. I would definitely get out to a range and shoot a few rounds at each distance you plan on shooting at.

plus, it ever hurts to run a few rounds down the pipe to familiarize yourself with the rifle more.

your acog should come with paperwork telling you what range to sight it in at, once sighted in the scope has additional dots for ballistic drop compensation, (most acogs have them.. not sure on your exact model)
so if you are zeroed at 100, and you want to shoot at 200, you put the next dot down on the 200 yd target and you should be able to poke a hole in it.

 

[Corey]

Thanks, I can not wait to get to a range at a later date.

Found some more info from the makers site on the bore laser.
http://sightmark.com/images/manuals/SM39001-008.pdf

http://sightmark.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=20

I have never been to an indoor range before, so I am not sure what kind of paper targets they supply.
I will be looking into a few different ones I have seen online that leave a green goo when you hit it, and some zombie ones

Shoot NC

I am not sure what size to get if shooting indoors between 25 and 50 yards.

And for the zombie ones...

For outdoors in the mountains when I go, I have looked at some expensive metal targets that reset when you hit the reset paddle.

Theirs are pretty high priced at $369 for the high velocity one.

Metal Spinning Targets

The reset one

A cheaper one is at the site that has the green goo NC targets.
World of Targets® Metal Targets

It states that it is for .38 to .44 magnum caliber pistols, I wonder if a 5.56 round will be OK, or will that ruin the metal?
That is a lot better priced at $72.

 

[LACamper]

You do NOT want to shoot the pistol targets with .223. If you insist on doing that switch to frangible ammo to prevent ricochets...

 

[Corey]

Thanks, will have to stick with paper targets then.

Already priced frang ammo at an indoor range down the road from me, and they get $39.95 per 50 rounds.
Total ripoff, but if I want to shoot my AR there, I must use their ammo they say, as they do not allow regular .223 or 5.56 ammo in there.
He said it would tear up the place

Heck, I could burn through 50 rounds in a few minutes or so just taking it easy there.
I am looking at other ranges too (outdoor) but they are not close to me.

Up where I like to shoot where I camp, it is buried under right now with several feet of snow, it will not be clear until around late May or early June.

 

[Strizzo]

lose tension how? i have noticed that mine isn't quite as heavy as when it was new, but that doesn't bother me too much since i like a lighter trigger anyways.

 

[robert]

You can buy all sorts of metal targets designed for rifle calibers but they are expensive. Rifles rounds are higher velocity and will tear up pistol/.22 targets and could be dangerous.

As brassnuckles said, the boresighter will allow you to get a scope on paper but you still need to put rounds down range. You need to match your ammo to your barrel too- do you know what twist rate you got? 1:9 is about the most common (it's usually stamped on the barrel somewhere) and you should be good with 55gr to 64 gr. Heavier or lighter and you'll need a different twist for good accuracy.

 

[Corey]

Robert, it says 1.7 on the barrel.

 

[LACamper]

Thanks, will have to stick with paper targets then.

Already priced frang ammo at an indoor range down the road from me, and they get $39.95 per 50 rounds.
Total ripoff, but if I want to shoot my AR there, I must use their ammo they say, as they do not allow regular .223 or 5.56 ammo in there.
He said it would tear up the place

Heck, I could burn through 50 rounds in a few minutes or so just taking it easy there.
I am looking at other ranges too (outdoor) but they are not close to me.

Up where I like to shoot where I camp, it is buried under right now with several feet of snow, it will not be clear until around late May or early June.

$40?!? Are they insane? $20 is more like it!
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=637304

And btw, its a rifle, not a MG! slow down your fire and aim!

 

[Corey]

The AR15 is still getting the Acog TA31H-G optic before to long, and I am picking up a Glock 21SF very soon for home defense and to have in the tent while camping.
The Glock will be in a new thread.

But I have had my eye on the S&W M&P AR15-22 for awhile since it will be very cheap to shoot, and I can shoot it at the local indoor range.
They make several models of this one, and some have had a few problems with it, but not with the MOE version I plan on getting, it has an upgraded "blue" spring in it which seems to have resolved some issues with earlier models.

Here is a snippet on it, and some reviews from owners.
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/products/smith-wessons-mp15-22-rifle/

Here is the site from S&W with links to them, and the MOE model I will get.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757786_-1_757784_757784_image

MOE model
MSRP is $609, my local shops have it for $525.

 

[Corey]

Part V

Dropped the AR15 off at the shop a bit ago to take advantage of some Black Friday specials going on.

Magpul PMags are on sale for $13 each, normally $17.05 for the 30 round windowed ones, and I got three more to add to my collection.
MAG210-BLK

Main reason I went though is to have the stock gas block taken off so I can have a flip up sight up front to replace the fixed stock one.
I could have gone with a polymer Magpul sight like I have in the rear if I kept it on the handguard rail, but the further up front it is, the better, plus the gas block I am having installed has a picatinny rail on it for one.
Had to go with an aluminum one though, as with it being directly on the barrel a polymer one like the Magpul would melt.

Here are the two parts:
PRI Gas Block w/Picatinny Rail

Diamondhead Premium Classic Front Sight

It will not be ready to pick up until midweek next week sometime, and I will update this thread with pictures.

Since I am a good customer there, I got some free stickers thrown in.
Here they are, pretty cool.
Some will go on my safe, I may put the zombie permit on the FJ

 

[robert]

Just some random thoughts…

Have you thought about getting a CMMG or Spike's .22 upper instead? The Smith would give you a second gun, but I didn't care for them when I looked at them (can't remember the reasons at the moment) and they had some negative reviews. You can also buy conversion kits that replace the bolt/bolt carrier but the rifling in a 5.56 barrel isn't ideal for the .22 and they tend to shoot low in my experience. I've got a CMMG upper and a Spike's conversion and they both work well. I run Black Dog magazines with both; buy a loader as it’s a pain loading the small .22s in the mags since you’ll burn through them quickly- they’re a ton of fun. For the life of me I can’t figure out why they don’t have a button on the side to compress the spring like Ruger MK series magazines. If you get a conversion, run a round or two of .223 through the gun after shooting and it’ll make sure the gas tube is clear (the conversions are blowback, but they still get some junk in the tube supposedly).

The G21 is a monster. The SF frame tends to fit more folks but it’s still huge and heavy when loaded. If you’re buying new, great, if not make sure it’s not the ambidextrous frame as they had issues with them. Mine never worked quite right then it broke so I sent it back and they replaced it with a regular frame. For even more fun, go to KKM’s website and get yourself a conversion barrel- .45 to 10mm. Pick up a couple of G20 mags and you’re ready to shoot 10mm. The polymer frame of the Glock tames heavy 10mm loads well and they’re not as hard recoiling as say the Colt Delta Elites for example. The gun is very accurate and a lot of fun to shoot but due to the size it’s pretty much a range gun; if I were to do it over I’d have gotten the G30 instead (KKM makes a 10mm barrel for it as well).

Personally I prefer a low profile gas block with an extended free float handguard; just a cleaner profile, lighter weight and the front sight doesn't get hot. Make sure they lock-tite/stake/somehow secure the screws on the gasblock.

 

[Corey]

Thanks Robert, I do not want to mess with the hassle of changing out uppers to choose between .22 and 5.56.
A separate rifle would be the best choice for me.

Most of the reviews I read on that particular S&W .22 were pretty good.

They suggested the picatinny gas block over a smaller one which would leave "scars" showing from the stock sight when it comes off.
I take if a free float handguard/rail such as this from them slips over a gas block so it kind of hides it?

I will have to keep an eye on the heat of the site on the new gas block I am getting.
If it does indeed get to hot, I can always move it to the end of my current handguard/rail setup.
It would only move it about one inch or so closer to the rear site, not to bad.
Main reason they suggested putting the site out on the gas block was to make more distance between front/rear sites.

I am sure this place will use Lock Tite, they are a pretty professional crew there.
They cater to a lot of enthusiasts and law enforcement officers.

One guy came in today to pick up his new silencer.
He had applied for his stamp last spring, and it took this long to get it.
But silencers have only been legal to shoot (always been legal to own for quite a while) since August of this year.
The state is getting around 10,000 requests per month to file for the stamp to buy a silencer in my state, and they are overwhelmed.

I may have to look into one of those down the road.
Sure would be nice when camped in the mountains where I like to go to not make a bunch of noise that would attract others in the area to see what the noise from a 5.56 is all about.

I really like my G21 SF, and yes, no ambidextrous mag release.
My friend who turned me onto Glocks said to avoid them at all cost, and I read online reports from LEO's having their mags released when they got out of their vehicles from the gun contacting the steering wheels.

I wanted the G30 due to its ability to use my G21 mags, but the shop was out, and the guy talked me into the slimmer single stack G36.
I still like the G36 even though it only holds six shots.
It shoots very nice though, but the 21SF is my favorite.
It is the one I keep close at night if there was a breakin, plus it has my Surefire on it.
No Picatinny/Glock rail on the G36.

I have seen some of the conversion barrels for the Glocks.
So it is as simple as just taking out the current barrel once you release the slide, then getting the G20 mags?
Is the 10 mm recoil a lot less than the 45 ACP?
How about cost difference in ammo?

I guy my 45 ACP in bulk at 500 rounds, so I get a fairly good deal on it.
Now the hollow points are different, as I only keep a hundred rounds or so of it for home defense.
The bulk white box ammo I have is for targets only.

 

[robert]

Two pins and you're done, but yes, I bought another lower for my CMMG. Yes, most low profile gas blocks will fit under most free float handguards- not all will though so it's best to check. As long as the front sight you get is metal you should be fine though. I'm sure those guys will steer you right.

The KKM conversion barrel is a drop in item. All you need is the barrel and some G20 mags although they recommend upgrading the recoil spring to a heavier weight. The 10mm is harder recoiling in the heavier loads (180gr, 200gr and 220gr) than a .45+P; when loaded to proper 10mm specs it's close to a .41mag. Personally I don't think the recoil is bad at all- certainly nothing like 10mm in a Colt Delta Elite; I suppose the polymer frame helps absorb some of the recoil. Almost everything I've read about the KKM barrels has been positive with a couple saying that they used the heavier spring and a new extractor (sharper) to solve an occasional FTE. The big downside to 10mm is it's expensive and can be hard to find. It's an easy cartridge to reload but I don't currently reload. I bought a couple of boxes of Buffalo Bore and Double Tap, shot a couple of each to see how they did then put them aside for a rainy day. There's some imported 100 that's the same price as other ammo, but it's not loaded hot, it's basically the same as 40S&W.