Begara barrel build

[Chorizo]

Decided to give a Begara barrel a try. As background, I spent several years as the USMC attache to Spain and spent lots of time at the Spanish gun factories as part of my job. I am a big Spanish shotgun fan and collector (and a moderator for a Spanish Shotgun forum) Contrary to many uninformed rumors, the Spanish are fantastic gun makers and their steel is second to none when you take the time to buy the good stuff (kind of like assuming the USA is a crappy AR-15 maker based upon an experience with a DPMS).

I was able to get a Begara modified (no 203 cut) M4 profile mid-length gassed 1/9 twist, 5.56 chamber. I am ok with the 1/9 twist as my stock pile of ammo is XM-193 as well as a large amount of V-max 55 grain and V-max 50 grain. The lighter weight bullets are fine with me as the intended purpose will be short to mid range weapon. I tipped it off with a Kaw Valley Precision linear comp.

I used as a base for my build the Aero Precision blem upper and lower as my experience with them have been superb with, at least to my old eyes, no discernible flaws. I used a GR Tactical LPK with an ALG ACT trigger. I used a 12" MI SS genII rail. I have small hands and I really like the small diameter and the light weight of the gen II. MagPul MOE pistol grip.

I am no big fan of the collapsable stock for a weapon with optics. It makes eye relief inconsistent and on my collapsable stocks, I almost always run them full open as I don't wear body armor daily. I have a couple of up-close "social weapons" one with an Eo-Tech and another with iron sights and both with 5 positions when the need arrives, so a requirement for another short collapsable stock weapon wasn't there. I opted for an A2 to pair up with my 18" A2 stocked SPR.

I am using a Brownell's black phosphate M-16 BCG with a BCM Gunfighter Med latch charging handle. To top it off, I have a Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4X20 lighted SPR mounted in a Burris P.E.P.R. I have been very happy with the Burris mount on previous builds. It does the job.

Aero Precision Blem upper and lower
GR Tactical LPK with ALG ACT trigger
A2 stock/Buffer/Spring
Begara 16" modified M4 profile 1/9 mid-length gas, 5.56 chamber
MI 12" SS Gen II rail
MagPul MOE Pistol Grip
Kaw Valley Precision linear comp
Brownell's M16 BCG
BCM Gunfighter Med latch charging handle
Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4X20
Burris P.E.P.R.


I shot 300 rounds through it today and not a hiccup from the first shot to the last. As we had some serious winds today, I shot indoors at 25 yards and after sighting in, it put the bullets where I pointed them making ragged holes with multiple shots from a rest. All brass ended up in a pile at 1600. Offhand, it is a mild shooting gun even with the Federal 5.56 XM-193 rounds.

When the wind stops it is out to the 100/200 range to fine tune and get some groups. Depending on how it shoots, I will add some MBUS to it and call it good.

[BringMeTheHorizon]

Clean looking rifle. Nothing beats that A2 stock when using a RCO.


Semper Fi

[Chorizo]

Thanks, Devil Dog. I, too, like the clean lines. Added the MagPul MBUS today, stuck a few spare parts, some batteries for the VX-R and some fireclean in the stock, a bolt and a firing pin in the grip and calling it good.

I be thinking I will be taking this gun to carry with me while I am doing field work and shifting the EoTech equipped rifle to the bedroom.

S/F

[caelumatra]

Good looking build.

Off topic, what was your MOS that had you working in barrel mfg'ers in Spain? That sounds awesome. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time as an artilleryman, but working with barrel makers sounds pretty interesting

[Chorizo]

I was the USMC/Naval Aviation Attache. I was looking at the gun/munition factories to assess capabilities. I wasn't working with them, just viewing them. I also focussed on the Astra factory as they were competing in and were a finalist for the USCG sidearm competition with their A75 at the time. Just a small, but very enjoyable and interesting part of my job was to check out the arms and munitions factories.

I got to visit a three of the US arms factories before hand to learn manufacturing techniques and process...Colt, Remington and Beretta.

For me, it was living the dream! All of that and getting paid for it too.

[caelumatra]

That sounds awesome!
I consider myself very fortunate to have gotten to fight in Fallujah right after I got out of arty school. But your job...that sounds pretty damn great!

[Chorizo]

That sounds awesome!
I consider myself very fortunate to have gotten to fight in Fallujah right after I got out of arty school. But your job...that sounds pretty damn great!

I was retired before all of it started. You guys did great. I was even prouder of being a Marine after you Dogs did your job.

[Tripod]

That sounds awesome!
I consider myself very fortunate to have gotten to fight in Fallujah right after I got out of arty school. But your job...that sounds pretty damn great!

What arty unit were in and what time frame in Fallujah?

[Tripod]

Good looking rifle. Nothing gawdy on it at all.

[caelumatra]

What arty unit were in and what time frame in Fallujah?

Mike Battery 4/14. We were deployed to fire counter battery before and after Phantom Fury which was November 2004. We fired in support of the grunts all throughout the siege while an Army paladin unit came in to fill our counter battery role because we were shooting so much in support. We were there from Sep 2004 to March 2005 (**** me was it cold there!!!!!)

After we got back 4/14 was...disbanded, or reorganized or something and the other units were either switched to mortuary affairs (ugh) or HIMARS. We were moved to 3/14 and were able to keep shooting howitzers and were allowed to keep the Mike battery designation