munch520
03-27-13, 13:11
Well just finished a 14.5 and have updated the SBR a lot since my post 11 months ago. So here it goes..
My original intent with the SBR was to put together a light, KISS gun to be used in training. All that was well and good until I figured out that while simplicity is a virtue, if adhered to strictly it can be limiting. I found I was quickest and most accurate with the addition of an Aimpoint. After a basic class last summer I also found that I was a bit quicker with flip-up BUIS. Personal quirk, I know. So with that I sold the Centurion Carbine Cutout and went with a Centurion 10" flat top + MBUS gen 2s. My first round hits improved as did transitions between targets. As I changed rails, I really appreciated the ease of installation the Centurion offers. 6 screws and you're done, no barrel nut to fuss with.
While this was going on I was quickly getting sick of the Aimpiont factory QRP mount. Though cheap and readily available, the QRP (especially the large knob) interfered with gear during manipulations of the carbine. LaRue's LT150 and LT129 offer a much slimmer profile and a reliable return to zero.
I also realized during that I wanted/needed a larger latch on the charging handle. Gloved and sweaty hands can miss or slip on the standard GI - I found the BCM Gunfighter with medium latch to be a non-obtrusive improvement. I also switch to the BCM Gunfighter grip; my stocks are all at position 2 and the relaxed grip angle of the Gunfighter takes some strain off my wrist.
The Battle Arms selector is something that will be on all my guns moving forward. It enables the user to easily cycle the selector, while not experiencing interference with the trigger finger thanks to the short lever. This may be regarded as an unnecessary upgrade to some, but during training the selector is worked almost as much as the trigger. I'm happy to have it there as it makes life easier.
Magpuls RVG I found to be a bit flimsy and unnecessarily long, it was swapped for a TD stubby. On the same token, I found the VLTOR emod to be a bit long/bulky for the SBR and am thankful B5 released the Sopmod just in time. Great cheekweld, less bulk, and it won't snag your whiskers.
Throughout this same time period I got a 3x magnifier. For no reasons other than I got a good deal on it, I switched the Comp M2 to C3 2MOA. While the magnification isn't on the gun much, when it is I appreciate the 2MOA dot. For me to quickly acquire the 2MOA when sunny, I've found I need to turn it up the intensity a bit more than I did with the 4MOA Comp M2.
I will say that I am happy with the VLTOR A5 system on this gun, especially when using is suppressed. It will cycle everything unsuppresed with the standard A5 buffer, and will cycle everything but steel unsuppressed with the A5H4. It won't lock back without the can when using the -H4. While I like the A5 for SBRs and carbines, the system complicates things too much on midlengths.
I am also very happy with the Surefire 556-212 suppressor and associated muzzle devices. I've seen minimal shift with both the brake and flash hider, and both function as advertised. It is still pending (40-60 days left) but I've been able to put a negligible (4-600) number of rounds through it. I will update once the can has a higher count and has been through some courses.
OLD
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/SBR/IMG_3533.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/SBR/IMG_1728.jpg
PSA 12" upper, FN rollmarked barrel, 4150, 1/7 twist, F marked FSB
Centurion C4 carbine cutout rail
Magpul RVG
BCM complete BCG
GI charging handle
Daniel Defense 1.5 rear sight
PSA stripped lower
G&R tactical LPK
BAD ASS ambi safety
VLTOR A5
VLTOR emod
Magpul MOE grip
Vickers padded sling with QD
Rustoleum camo job
New
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/3-23-13%20Farm/IMG_6591a_zpsaf480cce.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/3-23-13%20Farm/IMG_6592a_zpsc6b2119b.jpg
12" FN barrel
Surefire MB556-212 muzzle brake/suppressor mount
Surefire 556-212 DE suppressor
Centurion C4 10" rail
Tangodown Stubby grip
BCM complete bolt carrier group
BCM Gunfighter charging handle (medium latch)
Aimpoint C3 2MOA
LaRue LT129 mount
Magpul MBUS Gen 2
Palmetto State Armory stripped lower
G&R Tactical LPK
Battle Arms Development ambi safety
BCM Gunfighter grip (Mod1)
VLTOR A5 system
VLTOR A5H4 buffer (suppressed use)
B5 SOPMOD stock
Blue Force Gear Vickers padded sling with QD
Aervoe paint
The learning through the SBR's evolution was applied to the 14.5, a recent build. A lot of parts are the same, and my thoughts above translate into choices for this gun. I will say that I was a little worried about a midlength and H2 buffer, but it's been issue free thus far.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/SOPMOD/IMG_8508_zps6ecd7bb9.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/6865A7C8-39F9-4E08-BC30-D4F3598EEF6A-3522-0000013F5C0B8362_zps8127f477.jpg
14.5" Sopmod Block II (ish)
14.5" Noveske N4 barrel
Surefire FH556-212A flash hider/suppressor mount
Surefire 556-212 DE supressor
Daniel Defense M4A1 RIS II
Surefire m600 Scout
Tangodown Stubby grip
Daniel Defense complete bolt carrier group
BCM Gunfighter charging handle (Noveske marked - medium latch)
Aimpooint C3 2MOA
LaRue LT129 mount
Aimpoint 3x magnifier
Aimpoint 3x twist mount
LRB Arms stripped lower
LMT LPK
Geissele SD-C trigger
Battle Arms Development ambi safety (ordered not installed)
BCM Gunfighter grip (Mod1)
BCM mil spec receiver extension
H2 buffer
B5 SOPMOD stock
Blue Force Gear Vickers padded sling with QD
My original intent with the SBR was to put together a light, KISS gun to be used in training. All that was well and good until I figured out that while simplicity is a virtue, if adhered to strictly it can be limiting. I found I was quickest and most accurate with the addition of an Aimpoint. After a basic class last summer I also found that I was a bit quicker with flip-up BUIS. Personal quirk, I know. So with that I sold the Centurion Carbine Cutout and went with a Centurion 10" flat top + MBUS gen 2s. My first round hits improved as did transitions between targets. As I changed rails, I really appreciated the ease of installation the Centurion offers. 6 screws and you're done, no barrel nut to fuss with.
While this was going on I was quickly getting sick of the Aimpiont factory QRP mount. Though cheap and readily available, the QRP (especially the large knob) interfered with gear during manipulations of the carbine. LaRue's LT150 and LT129 offer a much slimmer profile and a reliable return to zero.
I also realized during that I wanted/needed a larger latch on the charging handle. Gloved and sweaty hands can miss or slip on the standard GI - I found the BCM Gunfighter with medium latch to be a non-obtrusive improvement. I also switch to the BCM Gunfighter grip; my stocks are all at position 2 and the relaxed grip angle of the Gunfighter takes some strain off my wrist.
The Battle Arms selector is something that will be on all my guns moving forward. It enables the user to easily cycle the selector, while not experiencing interference with the trigger finger thanks to the short lever. This may be regarded as an unnecessary upgrade to some, but during training the selector is worked almost as much as the trigger. I'm happy to have it there as it makes life easier.
Magpuls RVG I found to be a bit flimsy and unnecessarily long, it was swapped for a TD stubby. On the same token, I found the VLTOR emod to be a bit long/bulky for the SBR and am thankful B5 released the Sopmod just in time. Great cheekweld, less bulk, and it won't snag your whiskers.
Throughout this same time period I got a 3x magnifier. For no reasons other than I got a good deal on it, I switched the Comp M2 to C3 2MOA. While the magnification isn't on the gun much, when it is I appreciate the 2MOA dot. For me to quickly acquire the 2MOA when sunny, I've found I need to turn it up the intensity a bit more than I did with the 4MOA Comp M2.
I will say that I am happy with the VLTOR A5 system on this gun, especially when using is suppressed. It will cycle everything unsuppresed with the standard A5 buffer, and will cycle everything but steel unsuppressed with the A5H4. It won't lock back without the can when using the -H4. While I like the A5 for SBRs and carbines, the system complicates things too much on midlengths.
I am also very happy with the Surefire 556-212 suppressor and associated muzzle devices. I've seen minimal shift with both the brake and flash hider, and both function as advertised. It is still pending (40-60 days left) but I've been able to put a negligible (4-600) number of rounds through it. I will update once the can has a higher count and has been through some courses.
OLD
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/SBR/IMG_3533.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/SBR/IMG_1728.jpg
PSA 12" upper, FN rollmarked barrel, 4150, 1/7 twist, F marked FSB
Centurion C4 carbine cutout rail
Magpul RVG
BCM complete BCG
GI charging handle
Daniel Defense 1.5 rear sight
PSA stripped lower
G&R tactical LPK
BAD ASS ambi safety
VLTOR A5
VLTOR emod
Magpul MOE grip
Vickers padded sling with QD
Rustoleum camo job
New
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/3-23-13%20Farm/IMG_6591a_zpsaf480cce.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/3-23-13%20Farm/IMG_6592a_zpsc6b2119b.jpg
12" FN barrel
Surefire MB556-212 muzzle brake/suppressor mount
Surefire 556-212 DE suppressor
Centurion C4 10" rail
Tangodown Stubby grip
BCM complete bolt carrier group
BCM Gunfighter charging handle (medium latch)
Aimpoint C3 2MOA
LaRue LT129 mount
Magpul MBUS Gen 2
Palmetto State Armory stripped lower
G&R Tactical LPK
Battle Arms Development ambi safety
BCM Gunfighter grip (Mod1)
VLTOR A5 system
VLTOR A5H4 buffer (suppressed use)
B5 SOPMOD stock
Blue Force Gear Vickers padded sling with QD
Aervoe paint
The learning through the SBR's evolution was applied to the 14.5, a recent build. A lot of parts are the same, and my thoughts above translate into choices for this gun. I will say that I was a little worried about a midlength and H2 buffer, but it's been issue free thus far.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/SOPMOD/IMG_8508_zps6ecd7bb9.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t294/myersma2/6865A7C8-39F9-4E08-BC30-D4F3598EEF6A-3522-0000013F5C0B8362_zps8127f477.jpg
14.5" Sopmod Block II (ish)
14.5" Noveske N4 barrel
Surefire FH556-212A flash hider/suppressor mount
Surefire 556-212 DE supressor
Daniel Defense M4A1 RIS II
Surefire m600 Scout
Tangodown Stubby grip
Daniel Defense complete bolt carrier group
BCM Gunfighter charging handle (Noveske marked - medium latch)
Aimpooint C3 2MOA
LaRue LT129 mount
Aimpoint 3x magnifier
Aimpoint 3x twist mount
LRB Arms stripped lower
LMT LPK
Geissele SD-C trigger
Battle Arms Development ambi safety (ordered not installed)
BCM Gunfighter grip (Mod1)
BCM mil spec receiver extension
H2 buffer
B5 SOPMOD stock
Blue Force Gear Vickers padded sling with QD