DHart
10-27-10, 01:56
After a number of decades as a firearms enthusiast, I finally came to the realization a month ago or so that I wanted to enter the world of the black rifle. Don't know why I resisted as long as I did, being such a lover of firearms, but anyway... I had been given some sound advice to consider buying a Colt 6920 as my first AR. Some of you may recall I came here asking for your thoughts on the possible choice. For the most part, your recommendations were that the Colt would be an excellent first AR for anyone. Among those recommendations, there were also some recommendations for other excellent options should I decide I wanted something a little different than the Colt.
After spending some time here I knew that the Colt would be a very solid choice, but the more I considered it and learned about other possible options, the more I realized that I would likely end up taking off/replacing a good many parts (handle, stock, grip, handguard, sights, etc.) on the Colt to make the rifle the somewhat more current-day AR that I wanted it to be. And the mid-length gas system made a lot of sense to me for a 16" barrel.
I decided that getting a model which was close to what I envisioned myself ending up with would be a better option for me (and less costly) and thanks to Rob's suggestion, I decided to go with another model which he had brought my attention to... the BCM MID-16LW, a model which Bravo doesn't quite yet offer as a complete gun, but one which can easily be put together by ordering the MID-16 LW upper and their lower. That's what I did. I have had the upper for a few days, but the lower came in today and I was finally able to put it together. Here's a quick pic a snapped in the living room tonight just to give a visual. Of course, there are many rifles like this one, but this one is mine! ;-)
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/M4%20Rifles/BCMMid-16LW.jpg
I plan to go with RDS or Eotech in the near future, but for now will shoot with the Troys. I love the long sighting radius this set-up offers!
I am 6'1" with longish arms, so the extended real estate offered by this setup with the ACS and the 11" VTAC TRX (vs. the tighter layout of the 6920) feels great to me.
I also wanted the mid length gas system with lo-profile block so that I would have more easy options for hand guards.
I haven't had a chance to get outside with it yet, but did run a couple of 30 round mags through it in my in-home range tonight. It's a very short, make-shift range - just 20', but that's long enough for me to be able to do some impromptu shooting when the urge strikes.
Before firing, I thoroughly cleaned and lubed the gun. I fired 30 rounds of XM193, 15 rounds of Black Hills 75gr. Match HP (new cases) and 15 rounds of Black Hills 77gr. Match HP (remanuf.). The gun ran flawlessly and dumped the rounds into a very tight cluster, albeit about 2" below center of point of aim - <edited> due to close proximity of target.
Sighting in at just 20' is only temporary, given it is my only option for first shooting.
I also bought a BCM MID-14.5 upper with pinned BC1.5 comp. And an LMT lower to pair with it. I fired 28 rnds of XM193 with the 14.5 later tonight (switched the Troys over) and it too ran without a hitch of any kind.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/M4%20Rifles/BCMMid-145.jpg
Thanks to all of you who helped guide me through the decision of choosing my first BR! (Yes, I too have succumbed to BRD). :(
Updating with another pic of the BCM MID-14.5
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/M4%20Rifles/BCM145_7966.jpg
After spending some time here I knew that the Colt would be a very solid choice, but the more I considered it and learned about other possible options, the more I realized that I would likely end up taking off/replacing a good many parts (handle, stock, grip, handguard, sights, etc.) on the Colt to make the rifle the somewhat more current-day AR that I wanted it to be. And the mid-length gas system made a lot of sense to me for a 16" barrel.
I decided that getting a model which was close to what I envisioned myself ending up with would be a better option for me (and less costly) and thanks to Rob's suggestion, I decided to go with another model which he had brought my attention to... the BCM MID-16LW, a model which Bravo doesn't quite yet offer as a complete gun, but one which can easily be put together by ordering the MID-16 LW upper and their lower. That's what I did. I have had the upper for a few days, but the lower came in today and I was finally able to put it together. Here's a quick pic a snapped in the living room tonight just to give a visual. Of course, there are many rifles like this one, but this one is mine! ;-)
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/M4%20Rifles/BCMMid-16LW.jpg
I plan to go with RDS or Eotech in the near future, but for now will shoot with the Troys. I love the long sighting radius this set-up offers!
I am 6'1" with longish arms, so the extended real estate offered by this setup with the ACS and the 11" VTAC TRX (vs. the tighter layout of the 6920) feels great to me.
I also wanted the mid length gas system with lo-profile block so that I would have more easy options for hand guards.
I haven't had a chance to get outside with it yet, but did run a couple of 30 round mags through it in my in-home range tonight. It's a very short, make-shift range - just 20', but that's long enough for me to be able to do some impromptu shooting when the urge strikes.
Before firing, I thoroughly cleaned and lubed the gun. I fired 30 rounds of XM193, 15 rounds of Black Hills 75gr. Match HP (new cases) and 15 rounds of Black Hills 77gr. Match HP (remanuf.). The gun ran flawlessly and dumped the rounds into a very tight cluster, albeit about 2" below center of point of aim - <edited> due to close proximity of target.
Sighting in at just 20' is only temporary, given it is my only option for first shooting.
I also bought a BCM MID-14.5 upper with pinned BC1.5 comp. And an LMT lower to pair with it. I fired 28 rnds of XM193 with the 14.5 later tonight (switched the Troys over) and it too ran without a hitch of any kind.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/M4%20Rifles/BCMMid-145.jpg
Thanks to all of you who helped guide me through the decision of choosing my first BR! (Yes, I too have succumbed to BRD). :(
Updating with another pic of the BCM MID-14.5
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp59/zmonki/M4%20Rifles/BCM145_7966.jpg