First AR, I thought before I bought [pic heavy]

[phirehawk]

This is my first post, and first defensive rifle. Well, first keeper. I had an ArmaLite for a week before my work (gunstore) got in some 6920s (they had no clue if it would be weeks or months, so I "settled"). I consider that ArmaLite a rental. My limited experience includes a short stint in the Marine Corps (they found out I had asthma in basic), lots of reading and working in a gunstore. Forgive that last part... not all of us are mall ninja types.
Goals for the rifle include being dependable enough to stake my life on, training classes, fun and ownership enjoyment.

Current set-up & why
Colt 6920 (http://tinyurl.com/ddaty5) - a known quality standard
Hogue grip (http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=569_3_16&products_id=156) - feels too good not to
Removal of side sling swivel - don't want the rubbing on the barrel, won't work with future mods
A1 carry handle (http://tinyurl.com/np524f) with CSAT rear sight

I have a Trijicon front night sight (http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=36&back_row=2&categoryID=7), but it is not installed as I lost the sight tool. I have one on order.
I also have a Blackhawk single point sling adapter (http://tinyurl.com/mzbjgk), but will install that when I have the sling and mount for the front.

My bag has three mags, 87 rounds of XM193 (hey, it's what I can get at the moment) with three tracers spaced fourth round from the bottom on stripper clips. A spoon (stripper charger) and of course the rifle.

Current "discreet" bag - note yamaha patches to hopefully look more like an electronic keyboard.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1057.jpg

Inside

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1058.jpg

Carry handle comparison

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1059.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1062.jpg

I don't really like the CSAT (http://tinyurl.com/nt2hu5). The sight is too close to my eyes to pick up the posts as intended. The A1 handle is bomb-proof simple, but the Colt doesn't move around like I thought it would, so out it goes as well.

Future changes include :
Bayonet mounted rail (http://www.customdefensiveproducts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C&Product_Code=BLAM) for a light and sling mount (either the TLR-1 (http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=80) I already own, or an X-300 (http://tinyurl.com/5pvos6))
MS2 sling (http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82_132&products_id=301) - I like the versatility of one or two point configuration
Magpul ACS stock

After I have taken a class or two with my irons, then and only then:
EOTech XPS 2-2 (http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=30&cat=2) with G23 FTS magnifier (http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=14&cat=2) (or hopefully something better comes along as stated in another thread)

I am still undecided on the Samson Field Survivor (http://tinyurl.com/kmmxfr) - I like the idea of it though (well the movie watching, video game playing eight year old end of the world preparer in me does)...
I also don't know what BUIS to run when I have an optic. We have GG&G (http://tinyurl.com/ksg424) at work that has tritium inserts in it, but I don't know how well they'll work in light of my experience with the CSAT (http://tinyurl.com/nt2hu5).

I also have a "go bag," though I am not LE. It’s just a quick grab bag that is a good idea to have. As I work in a gunstore, there are always ARs at work (sometimes Colts, LWRC or Daniel Defenses, but almost always Armalite, S&W, or DPMS) and having loaded mags may not be the worst thing nearby. (We are a larger store and robbery is a concern.)

It is small and light carrying two loaded PMags, a mag with +2 extension for my Glock 19 (http://tinyurl.com/ye6flb) that is usually on my side (especially at work) and a Streamlight TL-3 (http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=37) all accessible from the outside. The pocket intended for a concealed handgun has a few area maps and a survival style blanket. The large pocket has a couple of protein bars, a granola bar, a bottle of water, a compass, a Leatherman Skeletool (http://tinyurl.com/6nr32g), my inhaler, a watertight container of strike-anywhere matches, a pocket survival pack (http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=148&catname=Essentials&prodname=Pocket%20Survival%20Pak%E2%84%A2), a home brew Altoids tin survival pack and a 50g Celox Sport (http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=174&catname=Professional&prodname=QUIKCLOT%20SPORT%20(50G)).

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1069.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1070.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1071.jpg

Yes, no? Comments. Thanks!

[sdcromer]

Nice rig. I really like the A1 carry handle. Can you post a picture with it mounted?

[SiGfever]

Very nice rifle and setup.

[lexmedic157]

What is the go-bag? Brand/Model?

[phirehawk]

Thank you. Here is the handle mounted (you can change the knobs to round if the off-center attitude bothers you).

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1072.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1073.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1074.jpg

The bag is a US Peacekeeper Rapid Deployment Pack (http://www.uspeacekeeper.com/products.asp?SessionID=&Qry=tblProductType.ProductTypeID&ID=1&p=2&searchtext=&special=). We sell 'em at the gunshop I work at.

eta: Yeah, yeah... I know - rust on the safety selector. It'll get fixed real soon. I'm thinking of GunKoting it.

[jbsmwd]

contents of the go-bag are almost like mine without the inhaler.

May I be so bold and suggest that you go with a bic lighter in the wrapper instead of matches. I have not good luck with matches after a couple years of storage in my go-bag.

[phirehawk]

I have two lighters in that bag. One in each of the small pocket survival packs. Thanks though!

[.45fmjoe]

Oh.... my. Detachable A1 carry handles like Colt Canada makes. :eek:

[Mr. Happy]

I'll be following your journey - I'm getting my Colt 6920 next week, and all I have so far is 1K rounds of PMC Bronze .223 55gr and 5 PMags.

Have you considered the upcoming Crimson Trace MVF515 Vertical Foregrip - Laser/Light Combo?

By the way, who makes the black range bag? Looks like a good fit.

[kyrin88]

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet:D

[phirehawk]

While the vert grip is nice, you'd need a 6940 for that. After getting a 6920, you'd need a competently installed free float quad rail to be sure your laser zero didn't shift. I prefer simple and light.

The case is a US Peacekeeper MRAT (http://www.uspeacekeeper.com/products.asp?SessionID=&Qry=tblProductType.ProductTypeID&ID=2). I like it well enough.

I was unaware Colt Canada made such a beast. This one was the only one I could find (see original post for the link).

[Mr. Happy]

Regarding your bayo mounted light plan - do those flashlights have sufficient brightness for outdoors? Do you plan to activate the light remotely from, say, the heat shield?

[phirehawk]

My TLR-1 is good enough to ID a threat to eighty or so yards. The only concern I have is with the barrel casting a shadow right where i want to see that far out. It becomes even worse if I get a suppressor. This is why a lot of guys run their light at twelve o'clock, but I don't want the added weight and complexity of a rail for all that. This is the best compromise I can find. Plus, it allows me to mount my sling as well. I plan on using the factory toggle for the switching. I don't subscribe to the tape switches or triggers. I'm afraid of sympathetic response on the trigger finger. I also would turn it on and leave it on, until I trained more to use it more effectively.

[Mr. Happy]

This is helping me refine my expectations. Last question for the evening - If you didn't already have the TLR-1 light, would you consider the TLR-2 to get the laser capability?

[tinman44]

how about a addidas or a wilson patch instead of yamaha. just thinking anyone that would steel a rifle bag for its value would probably go for a yamaha keyboard. unless you are only concerned with keeping it out of authorities suspicions. ;)

[phirehawk]

Lasers have their place, especially on pistols. Not sure if I'd want one on a rifle or not. Hmmm... I have a Crimson Trace laser on my Kimber Compact and love it. Now that there is a CT solution that doesn't make a Glock grip bigger, I may get one for that too. I've been eyeballing the one for the M9/92FS just 'cause. I'm unsure yet for a rifle as I like rec shooting at distance. I may end up going that route, don't know yet. Food for thought. The biggest problem I typically have with a laser on a rifle is that it usually needs a really stable mounting platform like free floated quad rails. I don't want all that bulk. If I mounted it to a bayonet lug 1913 rail, the set screw in the rail base could wiggle, or get slightly bent. It may be good enough, but I'm a PITA. If I have a laser, it had better be spot on for the distance I zero it for.

As for the patch, the bag is thin and rectangular, so this made the most sense. I'm looking at a couple of sports related solutions now (baseball bag comes to mind) as well. This is just what was available and priced right for the moment. This is a journey and I am nowhere near the end.

[fdxpilot]

My TLR-1 is good enough to ID a threat to eighty or so yards. The only concern I have is with the barrel casting a shadow right where i want to see that far out. It becomes even worse if I get a suppressor. This is why a lot of guys run their light at twelve o'clock, but I don't want the added weight and complexity of a rail for all that. This is the best compromise I can find. Plus, it allows me to mount my sling as well. I plan on using the factory toggle for the switching. I don't subscribe to the tape switches or triggers. I'm afraid of sympathetic response on the trigger finger. I also would turn it on and leave it on, until I trained more to use it more effectively.

I have my TLR-1 mounted that way, also. I will have to try it at night to check on the long distance implications of shadows, but at HD distances, it is GTG. I also use the basic toggle.

[John123]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/phirehawk/IMG_1069.jpg



Phirehawk,

Who makes this bag?

John

[Mr. Happy]

Phirehawk,

Who makes this bag?

John

He said up above, "The bag is a US Peacekeeper Rapid Deployment Pack. We sell 'em at the gunshop I work at."

[John123]

I didn't see it below that picture... Thanks!

[williamN]

phirehawk, question about the peacekeeper bag.

The mag pouches are listed as holding double mags. How tight when you put two mags in each pouch.