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View Full Version : SBR Build: Noveske bbl / Mega Monolithic Upper


El Cid
03-14-12, 09:21
Finished this last night after finally receiving my stamp. Details are as follows:

- Spikes lower
- Mega Monolithic tubular mid-length upper
- Vltor A5 stock system
- MIAD Grip
- Magpul RSA
- VTAC Padded sling (not pictured)
- Surefire X300
- MBUS
- Spikes NIB BCG
- Geissele SDC trigger
- Noveske 11.5" stainless bbl (KG coated in black)
- ADM Mount
- Aimpoint T-1 (yes, I bought it before there was a 2MOA)
- Smith Vortex hider
- G&R Tactical LPK
- BCM Medium charging handle

I realize some folks will poo poo the Spikes parts, but the deal I got was too good not to use them. The diameter of the handguard portion is nice and feels good - now I just need to see how much heat transfer there is going to be with it.

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/photo-13.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/photo-12.jpg


More (better) photos and a review of how it shoots, the upper, etc. will be coming shortly.

The only hiccup for now is the Noveske gas block. The upper allows access to the bottom set screw, but not the cross-pin that goes underneath the block. I emailed pics to Noveske to see if the gas block must have that pin, or if I need to use another brand gas block.
MCS
03-14-12, 09:30
Looks like a really nice build, itching to do an sbr.
primeform
03-14-12, 14:50
nicest piece ive seen in a while, good job!
Funkenstein
03-14-12, 15:24
What do you have your x300 mounted in?
El Cid
03-14-12, 16:02
Thanks guys. Funk the X300 is just mounted on the top rail. I didn't do anything to it as it has the interface for a pic rail from the box.
BIGUGLY
03-15-12, 09:20
Wouldn't worry about the spikes parts, if the lower is in spec its the same as every other forged quality lower, it just has a spider on it. The bolt, if it has been mp and hp tested will be fine.

Glad to see the Mega upper was curious about those it looks really nice.

Great build.
El Cid
03-15-12, 12:11
Wouldn't worry about the spikes parts, if the lower is in spec its the same as every other forged quality lower, it just has a spider on it. The bolt, if it has been mp and hp tested will be fine.

Glad to see the Mega upper was curious about those it looks really nice.

Great build.
Thanks!

lol! Oh, I'm not worried about the Spikes parts. I just know some people can't help but make negative comments about them.
adh
03-15-12, 20:59
The only hiccup for now is the Noveske gas block. The upper allows access to the bottom set screw, but not the cross-pin that goes underneath the block. I emailed pics to Noveske to see if the gas block must have that pin, or if I need to use another brand gas block.

Assuming it's a Noveske low profile gas block, the pin is basically insurance, but I'd be certain to locktite or rock set the set screw...probably rock set since it's not affected by heat like locktite is.
El Cid
03-16-12, 10:34
Assuming it's a Noveske low profile gas block, the pin is basically insurance, but I'd be certain to locktite or rock set the set screw...probably rock set since it's not affected by heat like locktite is.

And that is basically the same advise I received from Noveske. I will probably just run it until there is an issue and then look into a different gas block. Thanks!
El Cid
03-20-12, 10:52
Took the rifle to the range this past weekend and it shot great. I didn't have time to sight it in or anything because the range makes you buy/use their ammo (think XM193 - $12+ for a box of 20...). I shot some of theirs, but was sneaking in some 77gr and 70gr stuff to make sure the gun runs with it. Put 83 rounds through with a few different mags and had no issues. I'll give the rifle a proper workout in the weeks to come - this was more of a function check.

The forearm does get quite warm. Had I kept shooting, I'd have needed to put on gloves. As it was, I waited for it to cool a bit so as not to burn my rifle bag. Recoil was nothing special, though I didn't have any other rifles to do a side by side.

It handles nicely, but I'm not really feeling the HK hook/RSA set up. I also have long arms and it's tough to shoot with my support arm outstretched. So, I ordered a couple of IWC/Mount-n-Slot hand stops and their QD socket for this upper/handguard. Not sure yet how to configure the handstops, so any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm thinking one on the left for the web of my hand and one underneath at the end to hook my fingers (the way I use the VFG on my 16" rifle). I cannot get a thumb over grip with the X300 mounted, so I try to do a thumbs forward grip.

A few better pics (from a camera not attached to a phone):

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/SBRSide.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/SBRSide2.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/SBRMuzzle2.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/SBRMuzzle.jpg
cop1211
03-20-12, 19:27
Looks great, love the Mega mono uppers.
tlwest86
03-25-12, 07:06
Nice Rifle! Excellent part selections. I have did two builds with Mega lower and mono uppers. I have only used the railed mono's. I have been second guessing myself on this build about whether I should have went tube or railed mono. This build looks great with that mono up there! Congrats!
killjoythedestroyer
03-26-12, 20:45
How well do you like your spike's bcg? I am thinking of getting one and curious how well it functions. I'm sure it is easy to clean. Just wish I could see one up close. Oh and really nice rifle, put together well.
El Cid
03-27-12, 10:29
How well do you like your spike's bcg? I am thinking of getting one and curious how well it functions. I'm sure it is easy to clean. Just wish I could see one up close. Oh and really nice rifle, put together well.

Thanks guys! As for the BCG, I like it so far, but have less than 300rds through the gun so I can't really offer any worthwhile feedback yet. I'll update this thread over time as the gun gets shot more. I can recommend based on my other build that shooters avoid the Youngs Mfg hard chrome BCG. That BCG ate the 3 gas rings in approximately 500rds. I replaced them with a McFarland ring and it did the same thing. The gun still runs, but the bolt collapses with the field test.
oldskool65
03-28-12, 10:51
Thanks for letting me shoot it this weekend I really liked the balance and feel of the rifle, trigger was great as well ...
By the way it's Lefty
El Cid
03-31-12, 16:43
Thanks for letting me shoot it this weekend I really liked the balance and feel of the rifle, trigger was great as well ...
By the way it's Lefty

Anytime bro! Glad you liked it and thanks for the kind words.
El Cid
04-01-12, 17:01
Okay, I finally got the IWC/Mount-n-Slot pieces installed. I picked up 2 of their hand stops and one sling swivel mount. The quality and finish of these pieces is very nice. My only gripe is that the screws that came with the IWC pieces were too large for the hand guard. This despite their pull down menu specifically listing my upper/guard.

I called them and was told they designed the pieces to attach at the 2 o'clock or 8 o'clock positions... Not the 6 or 9 o'clock. I found this odd since every photo I've seen shows them at 6 or 9 and the website doesn't give such a warning. I was told to get some 8/32 flat head screws from a hardware store. What I ended up using were screws from other kit (Blade Tech belt attachment). The 8/32 screws from the attachable rail that came with the Mega upper worked for the sling attachment but wouldn't secure the handstops (nor would the store bought screws).

Here are the pics. The positioning of the hand stops feels odd to me. It may just take some getting used to as I have either used nothing in this role or I used a small VFG to pull the stock into my shoulder. If anyone has suggestions on placement I'm all ears.

Thanks!

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/photo-16.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/photo-17.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/photo-18.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/photo-19.jpg
killjoythedestroyer
04-07-12, 00:20
Looking at your grip set up on your rifle reminded me of a product I researched one time called the gogun gas pedal. It looks pretty cool but I have never used one. Looks like it would be comfortable for your style of grip. I grip my rifle the same way but use a gear sector vfg and a gear sector handstop on the side. It is practical but not as comfortable as it could be. Anyway, nice rifle and nice set-up.