sk1911
08-03-13, 12:11
Latest project finished. Light and mount will be here Monday but it's essentially done.
Specs:
BCM upper 14.5" pinned with BCM Gunfighter brake
BCM BCG
BCM Gunfighter ambi-charging handle
VTAC 13" Alpha rail
Magpul MBUS BUIS
Chopped FSB gas block
AXTS Weapons Systems ambi-lower with 45° selector
ALG ACT trigger
BCM Gunfighter Mod 1 pistol grip
B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo Stock
Standard H buffer
IKICKHIPPIES rear plate
Aimpoint T-1 2moa w/ EuroOptic QD mount
Surefire M600 Ultra Scout 500 lumen weapon light
Impact Weapon Components Scout light mount
Overall the build went well and I'm pleased with the results. This is my third DIY build so I have a good little library of "lessons learned" to help guide me. Throughout the process I referred many times to these forums and youtube. Some answers were easy to find and others not so much. I'll list out the issues I ran into as well as my opinion on some of the components for those who might also be curious.
Issues:
I only ran into a couple of minor snags. I had a little bit of trouble getting the Alpha rail over the barrel nut. It was very tight but with a little persuasion from a rubber mallet, I got it on. Now before I get ambushed...yes I know it goes on canted then twists into place, and yes I know it requires a factory mil-spec barrel nut. It was just tight, moving on. The only other issue I ran into was being my first attempt at chopping a FSB, I tried to err on the side of caution and only remove as much material as necessary. Well it turns out that's quite a bit more material than I was expecting. There's not much clearance in the Alpha rail so I think I re-taped, ground, and refinished that FSB about five times before I got it right.
Initial impressions:
I'm iffy about the EuroOptic QD mount. I only chose it because I had a credit with them and Larue's are out of stock everywhere I looked. So it's just a temporary solution. It's a nice mount, but the design just doesn't seem bomb-proof like an optic mount should.
I went with the IKICKHIPPIES reciever plate at the recommendation of the guys over at ITS Tactical. It was something different and it was 20 bucks so if it breaks, oh well.
This was my first experience with the B5 stock. It's nice, great cheek weld. It's a pretty tight fit, but it does not lock up as tight as a CTR. Not even close. Something to keep in mind if you're anal about your shit rattling a little. I could care less but to each their own.
I can't stand MBUS sights. I really like the KAC Micro set but $89 vs $310 swayed my decision a little and I can always swap them out later.
Lastly, the AXTS lower. I see guys asking about them a lot but I know there aren't many floating around yet. So here's my honest, no bullshit opinion. It's the nicest looking lower I've ever seen. It's also the easiest lower you will ever put together. They put a ton of thought into this thing, even down to threading out the rear take-down pin detent hole and including a hex screw plug, so you won't lose your spring and detent. It also comes with an anti-walk hammer pin that's got a rectangular head that sits in a recess. This thing is so nice, I almost feel bad about putting it on a carbine because I know I'm gonna beat the shit out of it. A lot of people say $500 for a stripped lower is crazy, and normally I'd be inclined to agree. However consider that with this lower, you get all the ambi controls which replace the need for a full LPK. You will still need a buffer retainer and spring, rear take-down pin, detent and spring, bolt catch detent and spring, trigger, and grip. For me, the quality and ease of assembly, coupled with the convenience of a fully ambi lower made it worth the cash. Hell, not having to install a bolt catch roll pin is worth it :)
Anyway, thanks for looking. If anyone has questions about anything just let me know.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/newgun_zps1838f49d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/newgun_zps1838f49d.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/DSC00466_zps05457358.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/DSC00466_zps05457358.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/DSC00468_zps1f756d17.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/DSC00468_zps1f756d17.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/DSC00469_zps5006b217.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/DSC00469_zps5006b217.jpg.html)
Specs:
BCM upper 14.5" pinned with BCM Gunfighter brake
BCM BCG
BCM Gunfighter ambi-charging handle
VTAC 13" Alpha rail
Magpul MBUS BUIS
Chopped FSB gas block
AXTS Weapons Systems ambi-lower with 45° selector
ALG ACT trigger
BCM Gunfighter Mod 1 pistol grip
B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo Stock
Standard H buffer
IKICKHIPPIES rear plate
Aimpoint T-1 2moa w/ EuroOptic QD mount
Surefire M600 Ultra Scout 500 lumen weapon light
Impact Weapon Components Scout light mount
Overall the build went well and I'm pleased with the results. This is my third DIY build so I have a good little library of "lessons learned" to help guide me. Throughout the process I referred many times to these forums and youtube. Some answers were easy to find and others not so much. I'll list out the issues I ran into as well as my opinion on some of the components for those who might also be curious.
Issues:
I only ran into a couple of minor snags. I had a little bit of trouble getting the Alpha rail over the barrel nut. It was very tight but with a little persuasion from a rubber mallet, I got it on. Now before I get ambushed...yes I know it goes on canted then twists into place, and yes I know it requires a factory mil-spec barrel nut. It was just tight, moving on. The only other issue I ran into was being my first attempt at chopping a FSB, I tried to err on the side of caution and only remove as much material as necessary. Well it turns out that's quite a bit more material than I was expecting. There's not much clearance in the Alpha rail so I think I re-taped, ground, and refinished that FSB about five times before I got it right.
Initial impressions:
I'm iffy about the EuroOptic QD mount. I only chose it because I had a credit with them and Larue's are out of stock everywhere I looked. So it's just a temporary solution. It's a nice mount, but the design just doesn't seem bomb-proof like an optic mount should.
I went with the IKICKHIPPIES reciever plate at the recommendation of the guys over at ITS Tactical. It was something different and it was 20 bucks so if it breaks, oh well.
This was my first experience with the B5 stock. It's nice, great cheek weld. It's a pretty tight fit, but it does not lock up as tight as a CTR. Not even close. Something to keep in mind if you're anal about your shit rattling a little. I could care less but to each their own.
I can't stand MBUS sights. I really like the KAC Micro set but $89 vs $310 swayed my decision a little and I can always swap them out later.
Lastly, the AXTS lower. I see guys asking about them a lot but I know there aren't many floating around yet. So here's my honest, no bullshit opinion. It's the nicest looking lower I've ever seen. It's also the easiest lower you will ever put together. They put a ton of thought into this thing, even down to threading out the rear take-down pin detent hole and including a hex screw plug, so you won't lose your spring and detent. It also comes with an anti-walk hammer pin that's got a rectangular head that sits in a recess. This thing is so nice, I almost feel bad about putting it on a carbine because I know I'm gonna beat the shit out of it. A lot of people say $500 for a stripped lower is crazy, and normally I'd be inclined to agree. However consider that with this lower, you get all the ambi controls which replace the need for a full LPK. You will still need a buffer retainer and spring, rear take-down pin, detent and spring, bolt catch detent and spring, trigger, and grip. For me, the quality and ease of assembly, coupled with the convenience of a fully ambi lower made it worth the cash. Hell, not having to install a bolt catch roll pin is worth it :)
Anyway, thanks for looking. If anyone has questions about anything just let me know.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/newgun_zps1838f49d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/newgun_zps1838f49d.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/DSC00466_zps05457358.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/DSC00466_zps05457358.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/DSC00468_zps1f756d17.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/DSC00468_zps1f756d17.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/sk1911/DSC00469_zps5006b217.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/sk1911/media/DSC00469_zps5006b217.jpg.html)