"Junkyard" builds.

[Circle_10]

I figured I might as well post pics of what I call my "junkyard" ARs, mainly because they are sort of a hodgepodge of somewhat "retro" and more current parts.
Excuse the crappy pics, I still have a 5 megapixel camera.



This started as an attempt to put together something like a Colt 653 and got lost along the way. Parts breakdown as follows:

BCM barreled upper
BCM BCG
Magpul MOE handguards w/ Israeli wraps (I find they improve my grip.)
BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle
Chopped carry handle rear sight.
Cheap Chicom made ladder rail cover
Stag lower receiver.
Stag LPK
M16A1 pistol grip
Colt receiver extension/"N" stock/"H" buffer/spring/end-plate/castle nut.

The lower was assembled quite a while ago, like a few years ago actually. The reason for the grit tape on the lower receiver stems from the fact that at the time I assembled it I was new to ARs (having been a pretty staunch AK guy up until that point.) so when I'd "index" it I had a bad habit of automatically resting my finger right across the mag release. The grit tape was added to give me some kind of tactile memory to not do that.



Now my midlength.
BCM 16" barreled upper.
BCM BCG
MOE handguards w/ Israeli wraps again.
BCM charging handle.
LMT rear sight.
Chicom ladder rail cover
Surplus Arms and Ammo SA-15 lower
Stag LPK
M16A1 pistol grip + grip tape
Unknown make (Maybe Stag or Cav Arms?) of CAR stock I got for free from someone I know.
BCM Receiver extension/castle nut/endplate
I've actually got a CAR buffer in it right now but if I recall my forum browsing correctly I'd probably be fine putting an "H" buffer in it.

Yes that's a Bulgarian IK-520 40 round magazine in it, I have a few of them I got for kicks. The few times I've used them they've done fine but I intend to test them out some more before really trusting them.

Not pictured are the Spec-Ops Brand Patrol slings I use (though if you look closely at the CAR's barrel you can see where the sling melted to it...oops..)

I have the MOE rails when it's time to add lights and an Aimpoint PRO is in the near future for one of the rifles, probably the midlength.

[PA PATRIOT]

I'm no brand snob and if your parts bin build functions 100% and does what you need then who cares what they look like or what the pedigree is. With many AR owners its a fashion show and the gun never sees a day of hard use.

Its only a tool, use it as such.

[Circle_10]

I'm no brand snob and if your parts bin build functions 100% and does what you need then who cares what they look like or what the pedigree is. With many AR owners its a fashion show and the gun never sees a day of hard use.

Its only a tool, use it as such.

Agreed, though I did try to use decent parts where it counts.

[Airhasz]

Agreed, though I did try to use decent parts where it counts.

Definitely, BCM barreled uppers, bcg's and BCM & colt rec extensions says it all. Nice pair of rifles, thanks for sharing.

[mic2377]

I am digging it... good parts where needed and otherwise utilitarian. I tend to think alot of AR accessorizing is going way too "Gucci" and really unnecessary.

[themissinglink]

My parts guns always have a special place in the safe. Thumb up!

[Circle_10]

Well I figured I'd post an update to my humble builds....

The midlength now has an Aimpoint PRO, a hogue grip, Phantom flash hider and and a "Type E" M16A1 fixed stock. Forgive the poor quality pic, I still have a 5 megapixel camera for some reason....



With the Aimpoint mounted I found myself not liking the way the Midlength balanced with the CAR stock, it seemed a bit muzzle heavy. So I stuck the fixed A1 stock on it. The result is that it is heavier overall but balances better. The arrangement pictured is how I had it set up for the carbine class that I took recently (It was mostly an "intro" class, which I felt was prudent since I've never had any formal training.) The rifle performed fine, I used mostly 30 round Pmags, but did use those Bulgarian 40s a few times as well. Perhaps not surprisingly, I was the only guy there with a fixed stock carbine...even the one AK user had a telestock on his weapon.

[MistWolf]

I kinda like it with the fixed stock. How far did the fixed stock move the center of gravity?

[Circle_10]

I kinda like it with the fixed stock. How far did the fixed stock move the center of gravity?

unloaded with the sling detached and no mag inserted it will balance itself at about the front portion of the magwell.
Here's a crappy, unscientific visual aid.


I propped a baby gate up between my coffee table and an air conditioner and placed the rifle on it in such a way that it would balance itself, it even stayed put when the cat jostled the gate while i was taking the pic.
I'm not sure exactly how it's current center of gravity compares to that of it's original CAR-stocked incarnation since I didn't really test it at that time, I just knew it *felt* somewhat less than ideal to me.

[TehLlama]

That thing has quality parts where it matters - I'm mostly replying to this thread so I can reference it later when new people or idiots are trying to justify more expensive rifles that look more tacticool, but are lacking in important ways - this is the better route.

I really liked the look of that thing with the retro collapsing stock, but if you shoot better with the fixed stock, then drive on proudly.