Kilo 1-1
08-01-13, 02:34
This carbine's been slowly changing in the last 6 years. I wanted a general purpose carbine that served as a range/competition, hunting, and work gun. My requirements for the rifle weren't anything too demanding...I just need it to function properly. Expected range of use generally from less than 5 yards to 300 yards (and beyond as needed). I went with a fixed reflex sight for that purpose. Originally I kept it pretty close to the older SOPMOD Block 1 configuration, as I had a lot of the parts laying around to use for it. I've used this rifle for a couple of years, so it'll reflect what I have found worked for me.
This carbine started off as a complete standard Stag upper with a RRA lower. After 4 years of use, I decided to upgrade to a BCM LW carbine upper and stored the old upper as a spare.
In it's latest iteration, the parts/break down (with explanation) is as follows:
Upper:
- BCM 16" LW Carbine gas upper - Went with this because I found the pencil barrel to balance better. Although the weight shavings is not substantial, it still made a difference when carrying the carbine for hours on end. I also shoot a lot of weaker training ammo. The 16" carbine gas sys gives it a little more boost to cycle it. I also didn't want a pinned muzzle device. I knew eventually down the road, I'd want a FF rail/tube that would incorporate a cut out for a FSB. Most rails out there like this are designed for carbine length gas sytems. I also wanted a pinned/fixed FSB for simplicity and reliability
- A2 Birdcage - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm not a fan of obnoxious comps.
- Spike's HP/MPT BCG - Couldn't source a BCM BCG at the time when I got the new upper. So far so good after thousands of rounds.
- BCM Gunfighter mod 4 (the earlier version) - Hands down a big improvement over the standard CH's. Mod 4 was the right latch size for me.
- ARMS #40 - Old school/bulky BUIS, but it's robust and works. It's what I have...and I got it relatively cheap during a clearance sale a while back. I also have a Matech BUIS, but left it on my old spare upper.
- Aimpoint PRO - Replaced my obsolete EOtech. Best value for a serious use optic that's IR compatible. Biggest selling point for me was reliability and longer battery life than the EOtechs.
- Troy Delta Rail (FF) - I used the KAC RAS for years. I still believe the RAS is still the best non-FF rail out there, but I wanted something with more real estate for support hand. After looking at rails that offered FSB cut outs (Centurion, DD RIS II, etc), I went with the Delta because it is a completely drop in unit (where as the others required cutting the delta ring or changing barrel nuts). I also liked how there weren't rails hanging everywhere, and cuts down on weight. After using this for over 8 months, I like it a lot. The old RAS's sitting on my old upper now.
- Magpul XTM handstop - What the Magpul AFG should have been from the start. I stopped using VFGs a while back, found the handstop to better use for my shooting posture.
- KAC Bipod stud adapter- Old piece of kit I had laying around. Attached on front to allow the use of a bipod when needed (rarely). I use it for zeroing/confirming zero of optics, and or longer range shots requiring precision on the go. Most times, bipod is NOT mounted on the carbine.
- Magpul RSA - I use a HK hook for the front of my BFG VCAS sling. I got a D-ring attached to the rear base of the sling, allows me to convert it to a single point via HK hook if I needed it.
- Surefire G2 (non-LED) in a Vltor mount - Old school light I had for years. Stuck with it because if I had to use an IR lens filter, the incandescent bulb seems to work better with IR filter than the LED ones. Took the Insight M3 off, wasn't as robust as the old G2.
Lower:
- RRA Lower - It is what it is, bought this 6 years ago. I ended swapping out the receiver extension with a mil-spec one.
-RRA Ambi selector – I like it because it doesn’t have an external screw on the other side of the selector. Been using it for about 4 years now, no issues. I ground down the support side selector so it wouldn’t interfere with my trigger finger.
- H buffer - 16" carbine uppers gassy in nature. Still cycles with weaker loads, which is why I didn't go H2. This still subjectively makes the carbine one of the smoothest shooting carbine I've shot (with the properly sized gas port). It has a softer impulse than some midlength guns with comps on them (subjectively).
- GG&G sling receiver plate - For the VCAS sling. This placement allows me to convert to the single point sling when needed with the D-ring I added (which rarely happens). In 2 point configuration, it doesn't hang up on the stock if I had to go high ready to clear the muzzle of low barriers/objects/people.
- B5 SOPMOD stock with CAT Tourniquette and range card - I used to have a CTR on it. I went with the SOPMOD because of the wider body for the cheek wield. I also have spare CR123, AAA batteries, and foam ear plugs in the compartments
- Magpul MOE pistol grip - Low cost alternative that works well. Have some 3M grip tape on the front and rear. The compartment inside holds the allen wrenches for the rail, optic mount, and for other parts.
- Redimag Gen 1 (modified) – It’s like a boat anchor, but I like having the option of storing an extra mag on the gun if I need it (ie: patrol rifle or HD). I've modified a slanted cut on the magwell (similar to the Redi-mods by BFG). I didn’t go crazy with the skeletal cuts to keep dust/debris out of the spare mag. The mag release on the Redimag's also been modified to where it doesn't automatically dump the spare mag.
- Spike's Nickel Boron hammer - Gimmicky, but it's not notched at the top if I needed to run a .22 bolt. Don't see a huge improvement in functioning with the coating.
- Magpul BAD - Controversial, I know. I use it mostly because of the Redi-mag. This is the old first generation BAD...and I've used it for almost 4 years now, functions well in lower and doesn't interfere with bolt catch operation. I use it mostly as an over-sized bolt catch. Greatest use for me is for locking the bolt back in malfunction drills/uses. This is specifically for this lower only (sample size of one).
That's pretty much it. Everything with screws been loctited and witness marked with an orange Sharpie paint marker. Light and optic's been dummy corded with 550 cord.
For a while, the carbine was like this:
http://imageshack.us/a/img59/7885/pt4h.jpg
It has gone through some changes since then. Note the ancient EOtech 502 (that's right, the 502, no protective hood, N-type batteries).
Changed to this: (Description above)
http://imageshack.us/a/img203/1250/07dz.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img138/7254/6dhx.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img841/1639/6v8i.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img694/5760/vbiw.jpg
Note the grounded down selector.
Bipod (not used often, but the option is there if needed)
http://imageshack.us/a/img14/4449/8jeq.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img62/1350/t4hb.jpg
And for kicks: 40 rounder Pmag (functions pretty well).
http://imageshack.us/a/img90/1318/0n1z.jpg
Let me know if there’s any questions, and thanks for reading this.
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/7255/ev6u.jpg
This carbine started off as a complete standard Stag upper with a RRA lower. After 4 years of use, I decided to upgrade to a BCM LW carbine upper and stored the old upper as a spare.
In it's latest iteration, the parts/break down (with explanation) is as follows:
Upper:
- BCM 16" LW Carbine gas upper - Went with this because I found the pencil barrel to balance better. Although the weight shavings is not substantial, it still made a difference when carrying the carbine for hours on end. I also shoot a lot of weaker training ammo. The 16" carbine gas sys gives it a little more boost to cycle it. I also didn't want a pinned muzzle device. I knew eventually down the road, I'd want a FF rail/tube that would incorporate a cut out for a FSB. Most rails out there like this are designed for carbine length gas sytems. I also wanted a pinned/fixed FSB for simplicity and reliability
- A2 Birdcage - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm not a fan of obnoxious comps.
- Spike's HP/MPT BCG - Couldn't source a BCM BCG at the time when I got the new upper. So far so good after thousands of rounds.
- BCM Gunfighter mod 4 (the earlier version) - Hands down a big improvement over the standard CH's. Mod 4 was the right latch size for me.
- ARMS #40 - Old school/bulky BUIS, but it's robust and works. It's what I have...and I got it relatively cheap during a clearance sale a while back. I also have a Matech BUIS, but left it on my old spare upper.
- Aimpoint PRO - Replaced my obsolete EOtech. Best value for a serious use optic that's IR compatible. Biggest selling point for me was reliability and longer battery life than the EOtechs.
- Troy Delta Rail (FF) - I used the KAC RAS for years. I still believe the RAS is still the best non-FF rail out there, but I wanted something with more real estate for support hand. After looking at rails that offered FSB cut outs (Centurion, DD RIS II, etc), I went with the Delta because it is a completely drop in unit (where as the others required cutting the delta ring or changing barrel nuts). I also liked how there weren't rails hanging everywhere, and cuts down on weight. After using this for over 8 months, I like it a lot. The old RAS's sitting on my old upper now.
- Magpul XTM handstop - What the Magpul AFG should have been from the start. I stopped using VFGs a while back, found the handstop to better use for my shooting posture.
- KAC Bipod stud adapter- Old piece of kit I had laying around. Attached on front to allow the use of a bipod when needed (rarely). I use it for zeroing/confirming zero of optics, and or longer range shots requiring precision on the go. Most times, bipod is NOT mounted on the carbine.
- Magpul RSA - I use a HK hook for the front of my BFG VCAS sling. I got a D-ring attached to the rear base of the sling, allows me to convert it to a single point via HK hook if I needed it.
- Surefire G2 (non-LED) in a Vltor mount - Old school light I had for years. Stuck with it because if I had to use an IR lens filter, the incandescent bulb seems to work better with IR filter than the LED ones. Took the Insight M3 off, wasn't as robust as the old G2.
Lower:
- RRA Lower - It is what it is, bought this 6 years ago. I ended swapping out the receiver extension with a mil-spec one.
-RRA Ambi selector – I like it because it doesn’t have an external screw on the other side of the selector. Been using it for about 4 years now, no issues. I ground down the support side selector so it wouldn’t interfere with my trigger finger.
- H buffer - 16" carbine uppers gassy in nature. Still cycles with weaker loads, which is why I didn't go H2. This still subjectively makes the carbine one of the smoothest shooting carbine I've shot (with the properly sized gas port). It has a softer impulse than some midlength guns with comps on them (subjectively).
- GG&G sling receiver plate - For the VCAS sling. This placement allows me to convert to the single point sling when needed with the D-ring I added (which rarely happens). In 2 point configuration, it doesn't hang up on the stock if I had to go high ready to clear the muzzle of low barriers/objects/people.
- B5 SOPMOD stock with CAT Tourniquette and range card - I used to have a CTR on it. I went with the SOPMOD because of the wider body for the cheek wield. I also have spare CR123, AAA batteries, and foam ear plugs in the compartments
- Magpul MOE pistol grip - Low cost alternative that works well. Have some 3M grip tape on the front and rear. The compartment inside holds the allen wrenches for the rail, optic mount, and for other parts.
- Redimag Gen 1 (modified) – It’s like a boat anchor, but I like having the option of storing an extra mag on the gun if I need it (ie: patrol rifle or HD). I've modified a slanted cut on the magwell (similar to the Redi-mods by BFG). I didn’t go crazy with the skeletal cuts to keep dust/debris out of the spare mag. The mag release on the Redimag's also been modified to where it doesn't automatically dump the spare mag.
- Spike's Nickel Boron hammer - Gimmicky, but it's not notched at the top if I needed to run a .22 bolt. Don't see a huge improvement in functioning with the coating.
- Magpul BAD - Controversial, I know. I use it mostly because of the Redi-mag. This is the old first generation BAD...and I've used it for almost 4 years now, functions well in lower and doesn't interfere with bolt catch operation. I use it mostly as an over-sized bolt catch. Greatest use for me is for locking the bolt back in malfunction drills/uses. This is specifically for this lower only (sample size of one).
That's pretty much it. Everything with screws been loctited and witness marked with an orange Sharpie paint marker. Light and optic's been dummy corded with 550 cord.
For a while, the carbine was like this:
http://imageshack.us/a/img59/7885/pt4h.jpg
It has gone through some changes since then. Note the ancient EOtech 502 (that's right, the 502, no protective hood, N-type batteries).
Changed to this: (Description above)
http://imageshack.us/a/img203/1250/07dz.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img138/7254/6dhx.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img841/1639/6v8i.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img694/5760/vbiw.jpg
Note the grounded down selector.
Bipod (not used often, but the option is there if needed)
http://imageshack.us/a/img14/4449/8jeq.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img62/1350/t4hb.jpg
And for kicks: 40 rounder Pmag (functions pretty well).
http://imageshack.us/a/img90/1318/0n1z.jpg
Let me know if there’s any questions, and thanks for reading this.
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/7255/ev6u.jpg