Mid length build advice

[Jaeger]

I am considering building a new rifle after I get my funds together. All my experience is with standard carbines and full length rifles. I've never used a mid length system before.

Has anyone used LMTs enhanced bolt and bolt carrier? I like the looks of the LMT enhanced extractor but it's a proprietary part and a high wear one at that.
H or H2 buffer? Are the carbine extraction upgrades necessary with a mid length system on a standard bolt?
Any experience with the VTAC forend? It looks like a good handguard but I wonder if it won't heat up excessively during extended firing sessions.

[Jaeger]

Ok, I guess noone has any input on the last inquiries. I'll try a new one.

Is anyone beside Sabre selling a properly made chromed bore mid length barrel? I see that CMMG sell them but I don't know if they are the quality that I am after. Noveske only sells the 14.5" chromed barrels. I'd really like 16".
Am I missing anyone?

[Paulinski]

I'm in the process of building midlength carabine.

I went with Sabre Defence 16" barrel 1/7, Daniel Defense upper receiver and midlength rail. Bravo Company bolt group and stock Stag carabine lower.

Paul

[wahoo95]

I haven't heard any bad things about CMMG.

[Jaeger]

In the AR15 Comparison chart CMMG is listed in the column for barrels that there are reports of them being out of spec despite being listed as being within spec.
If I can clear up the quality questions with their barrels I can get exactly what I'm thinking of from them. Otherwise it will have to be a Sabre barrel and the only Sabre barrels I see for sale have the sight towers installed. Not a big deal to swap out the tower for a low rise gas block but if I can get the barrel set up the way I want if from the start I think I'd rather do that.

I'm not dead set against a fixed sight tower but after seeing the Troy sights first hand I'm thinking a 16" barrel and a rifle length VTAC forend with Troy sights might be just the thing I'm after.

Of course I'll likely change my mind a few more times before I have the $ for the build.........:D Just thinking out loud here and trying to bounce ideas off guys who have already been down this road.

[Jaeger]

To date I haven't really been considering Noveske barrels since I want a full 16" and chrome lining.
How are the 16" Noveske stainless, unlined barrels for reliability and durability? Do they give up anything to a chromed barrel? I know they are accurate.

[AR-15A3]

I built my midlength carbine almost two years ago and I went with Denny's Guns-Global Tactical Operator model, medium contour, Mil-spec material, barrel blanks from Rock Creek Barrels, 1/7, chrome lined, M4 feedramps with F marked FSB.

My personal preference is the standard taper pinned FSB because it's the strongest type of front sight and I also installed a LaRue 9.0 midlength FF rails to slightly improve the accuracy, less bulky than the other brands and they have the locking design that prevents the handguard from getting loose.

I'm using a Colt M16 BCG with Bravo Company's extractor upgrade kit which improved the extraction force of the factory parts.

The buffer I'm using is just the standard carbine Vltor buffer that came with my old Vltor club foot Modstock but I recently changed my stock with the new EMOD (longer and fits tighter), I'm satisfied with my standard buffer but if you wanted to slow down the bolt speed you could try the H or H2 buffers.

If I'm in a normal climate area I would pick the lighter Sabre Defence gov't profile barrel because they use the same exact material they supply the military (M2 BMG barrels).

Stainless VS chrome lined depends what type of role do you want for your carbine, precision or tactical.

I've got pics of my midlength build with flat dark earth furniture in the AR picture thread page 28.

[Robb Jensen]

I am considering building a new rifle after I get my funds together. All my experience is with standard carbines and full length rifles. I've never used a mid length system before.

Has anyone used LMTs enhanced bolt and bolt carrier? I like the looks of the LMT enhanced extractor but it's a proprietary part and a high wear one at that.
H or H2 buffer? Are the carbine extraction upgrades necessary with a mid length system on a standard bolt?
Any experience with the VTAC forend? It looks like a good handguard but I wonder if it won't heat up excessively during extended firing sessions.

The upgrades that are used to make CAR systems run better are 100% absolutely NOT NEEDED in a midlength. These include the LMT enhanced carrier, heavier buffers (H an H2) nor extractor upgrades. The VTAC FF tube is great, I have a few myself. You can use the LMT enhanced bolt (not carrier) in any length AR.

[Jaeger]

Thanks for all the great input.
As for my intended use, it will mostly be "tactical". Inside 150 yards with the bulk of that inside 50. I'll use it personally during training courses (sniffing at Comprehensive Carbine at Storm Mountain next year) and it will likely get loaned out while I am instructing at my department and it is quite possible that it could get used on duty . #1 priority for me is reliability. #2 is, reliability ;) . If I can get a strong, reliable rifle that will still shoot .5 moa then that's icing on the cake.
I am interested in keeping weight down. If I want to haul around a little extra weight my M1A will get the nod.

[h8mtv]

CMMG made a run of middy 1/7 barrels a few years ago that the FSB was a bit too far forward and the gas tube did not meet up properly with the carrier key. CMMG makes a fine product and I would not hesitate to buy one of their current production barrels.

[C4IGrant]

BCM middy uppers are considered by many to be the best. The problem is that they are not currently available.

I would stay away from the LMT enhanced bolt and carrier. A standard LMT BCG will work just fine.

We are going to be getting some Daniel Defense 16" middy barrels in soon and will start to offer builds with them.



C4

[Littlelebowski]

So keep a mid length completely stock? No extractor upgrades or H buffer?

[Robb Jensen]

So keep a mid length completely stock? No extractor upgrades or H buffer?

Yes, no upgrades necessary. The extractor spring and buffer I use on a middy is from Brownells # 160-304-025 $6.69 (Colt factory parts) (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=4840&title=EXTRACTOR+SPRING+ASSEMBLY&s=10818#10818).

[comp1911]

Here is my take.

Barrel - Denny's Operator, if that's too heavy, go to a Sabre gov't profile or BCM if it ever becomes available. These are all 4150/CMV steel barrels with 1/7 twist, 5.56 chambers and chrome lining.

BCG - BCM (Bravo Company Manucaturing), 2nd choice is LMT, 3rd is a properly staked CMT. Colt is another option but not as easy to find as the BCM or LMT.

Rails - For the money, LaRue is hard to beat. I find myself looking for cheaper options but always ciome back to LaRue. DD rails are also look good but I don't have any experience with them since they are more money then LaRue. I considered a V-Tac on my last build but ended up with a 11" LaRue.

Upper Receiver - I've always used CMT and have only had a few cosmetic issues but that was a few years ago. Ive handled about 8 in the past year from Denny and all have been perfect. Mechanically they are fine. DD looks to make a fine upper as well as the billet offerings from Vltor and LaRue. LMT would be another option if you can find one on the used market or a take off from one of their many dealers.

Charging Handle - I've always used a standard one. I recently upgraded them with a PRI big latch.

Sights/Optics - Can't go wrong with a Aimpoint or EoTech and LaRue mount. The new American Defense mounts look interesting but I'll wait for them to be out awhile and see how they do. I run a fixed LaRue BUIS behind my non-magnafied optics. There are a few other fixed options such as LMT. If you prefer a flip up there are many options there.

Good luck with your build.

Here's a gratuitous older pic of my Operator, before going to the LaRue BUIS. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/comp1911/Guns/Operator/IMG_0707.jpg