11.5 SOLGW/Aero SBR (First FSP build)

[RobertTheTexan]

It's been a while since I've posted here - not for lack of building AR's, I just haven't gotten around to posting them here, but hopefully I can get caught up! I've been debating doing a build with an FSP upper and this sorta fell into my hands at a great price, and so I thought I'd share. It's a very simple and compact build, many parts I already had on hand, and where I was short on parts i.e. the C4 cutout, I used our E&E to source what I needed. This rifle has excellent balance, the 30 cal 762 SDN-6 does put more weight on the front end, but it is still very agile to handle. I'm planning on an Mini 4 or a M42K in the future instead of the heavier 30 cal can. Big thanks to Euro and SOLGW for helping me source the parts to what is sure to be one of my favorite shooters.

Parts List.

Upper:
Aero upper receiver
SOLGW 11.5" Combat Grade carbine gas barrel w/ F marked FSP, AAC Brakeout 2.0 51T brake
Nitride gas tube
LMT Enhanced bolt carrier w/ Sionics bolt completion kit
Centurion Arms Carbine C4 cutout rail
Raptor CH
Troy fixed rear sight
EOTech EXPS 3-0
BCM angled stubby
Inforce 700lm WML

Lower:
Aero Precision lower (SBR'd)
DSG Arms lower parts w/DSG Arms billet trigger guard
Talon short throw ambi selector switch
CMC 3.5 curved trigger (This will be replaced with a Hiperfire heavy gunner trigger w/ 4.5-5 lb pull, which is my personal preference, but this is what I had in the parts box)
Aluminum CNC'd Redi-Mag - don't build an AR without one (usually anyway)
Troy Tomahawk PDW stock (Tomahawk buffer and spring)
BFG Sling

Barring a massive downpour I'll be taking it out to see how it runs. I'm not expecting any issues though.

Also, I cannot say enough about SOLGW's level of support. I only use quality parts that I know and trust. This is the first time I've used SOLGW, but it will not be the last. I sent the upper to them that I bought from a friend because the FSP was crooked. I was hoping they would fix it for me and as I communicated to them, I was willing to pay for that work, since I didn't know how it had happened. They did not fix it for me. They sent me a brand new upper receiver, barrel, barrel nut, nitride gas tube and brand new FSP. That just blew my mind. Talk about a committment to stand behind their products and put the customer first. I am nothing short of really impressed with them and they have earned my business.

https://i.postimg.cc/k4Ys1xPC/363-F71-AD-3-CF4-4178-9-E0-C-ACC23-FB2-FEE6.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/6q70DyBv/1-A14-FCEA-90-BB-494-D-8-E75-FDC50372-B399.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/g0YKGMYd/2152763-C-D067-4-A58-841-B-F2-A564-A16560.jpg

[Eurodriver]

Looks great amigo.

I know it will shoot great.

[wigbones]

Nice looking build! I'm interested to hear your results on how it shoots.
Also thanks for posting about SOLGW. I've yet to do business with them but would not hesitate to do so after reading your experience.

[Circle_10]

Looks great. I've just started incorporating SOLGW parts (mostly BCG components so far) into my builds lately, at some point I intend to give one of their barrels a try.
I messed around with the similar Troy Airborne stock a bit (I think it's pretty much the same thing as the Tomahawk, just made to go on a standard receiver extension) and found the safety more difficult to manipulate with the strut for the stock right above it. Have you run into this as well? I would assume one could get used to it after sufficient practice but I was, and am, too enamored with my old CAR stocks on my carbines to really give the Troy stock a truly fair shake.
Troy makes an angled safety as a workaround for this, although I haven't personally tried it.

[RobertTheTexan]

Looks great. I've just started incorporating SOLGW parts (mostly BCG components so far) into my builds lately, at some point I intend to give one of their barrels a try.
I messed around with the similar Troy Airborne stock a bit (I think it's pretty much the same thing as the Tomahawk, just made to go on a standard receiver extension) and found the safety more difficult to manipulate with the strut for the stock right above it. Have you run into this as well? I would assume one could get used to it after sufficient practice but I was, and am, too enamored with my old CAR stocks on my carbines to really give the Troy stock a truly fair shake.
Troy makes an angled safety as a workaround for this, although I haven't personally tried it.


Thanks man. I paid particular attention to using the safety selector since I read your reply right after I got out to the land I shoot on. My takeaway is that the type or brand of selector switch is a key difference when it comes to flipping the lever in that tight space, or having issues. I tested it with the struts past the selector switch and with the Talon safety, I was able to flip it back and forth without making any changes - or that's how it felt. My normal LoP is locked at the 2nd to the last position and at that point it's above and behind the safety selector, and was not a factor at all. With the stock collapsed, I ran about 8 short loaded mags through and didn't have an issue flipping to safe/fire between mag changes and I had on gloves (Oakley leather but not too thick). I can definitely agree that it's a tight fit, but back to the point about which selector switch you use, the Talon has a thick lever and it's gradiated so your thumb gets a good enough purchase on the lever even with gloves.

[RobertTheTexan]

Nice looking build! I'm interested to hear your results on how it shoots.
Also thanks for posting about SOLGW. I've yet to do business with them but would not hesitate to do so after reading your experience.

Yep, definitely a super positive experience. I wasn't able to check accuracy yesterday, mostly because it was more function testing. I ran several mags through it and it ran great! I will definitely source parts through them. (and you of course! :)

I think I'll take a look at their BCG's next. Based on Circle 10's comments.

[Hammer_Man]

Another sweet build Robert! I used the same handguard on one of my M4 builds, and without a doubt it is my favorite drop in handguard.

[bigjoe7757]

Very nice, I just completed a BCM 11.5 with the C4 cutout rail and I love it. I really thought I would never get another 1913 rail since I had moved on to geissele and BCM mlok rails. I just felt like I wanted to keep the front fsb on this pistol build and the centurion c4 seemed like a good idea. I’m glad I did as I love it and it feel great to shoot. Good Luck with yours.

[MikeHawk82]

Hows the barrel accuracy holding up?

[Mr McSimon]

I'm interested in an update too. My question is how ergos on the handguard have been. I've got one sitting in my safe waiting to be installed on either a 14.5" SOCOM upper or replacing the stock handguards on an LE6933. I'm tending towards the SBR, but I've also grown spoiled from the likes of the MK16 and MCMR and kinda dig the stock configuration Commando.

[magicmania]

Looks good and matches well!!!!!

[RobertTheTexan]

The 11.5 SOLGW was as accurate as any 12.5 Centurion or DD ot my 12.0 LaRue Stealth or my BA Hanson barrels. I had literally ZERO complaints with the function or accuracy of that rifle. As for ergonomics, I have zero issues running quad rails and still have a few rifles with quad rails still. With a stubby FCG I still have my usual C clamp on the rail. My WML was easy to mount and actuate and to be honest, I’m just not that guy who bitches about having a solid length of quad rail on my AR’s, meaning I think it’s kinda retarded to ditch a well-made, solid quad rail because you feel it just has “too much rail”. That’s just borderline ridiculousness in my book.

But this is what I can tell you. The SOLGW was definitely as accurate as any short barreled rifle I’ve owned. (Named above) also the way they size their gas port enabled me to run all of the 5.56 ammo I fed it, from Magtech, PPU, Federal, and a pretty wide variety of other ammo I keep on hand just for testing purposes, including some crap ammo. I just had no problems with it. Uber reliable and I didn’t get nearly the amount of gas in the dashingly blue eyeballs as I did my DD 12.5, as an example. That’s not a deal breaker for me, as I have ways to mitigate that and rather focus on the reliability and accuracy of the barrel. Then again I cut my Army teeth as a cannon cocker and have been known to get sexually arounds from breathing in massive amounts of muzzle blast.
If anyone is on the fence with a SOLGW upper or barrel, GTF off the fence and pull the trigger. You will not be disappointed.
Also I just feel the necessity to point out that the support I received from SOLGW still hasn’t been matched or exceeded by any other firearms manufacturer. Some have really tried. I did send Rainier Arms a barrel on 10/2 and had a brand new barrel in my hands on 10/07, but SOLGW’s turnaround time was 3 (THREE) days. But we are Texans so there is that.

Let me know if I need to clarify anything. I’m going to go back to my Woodford double oaked beverage. :-)


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