I am taking the 5.45x39mm plunge! updated 09-23-09

[M1A2_Tanker]

I need to actually get mine first, guys!!

Well hurry up geeze! our money is counting on you!

[NCPatrolAR]

Got my upper tonight.

For those getting just the S&W, no magazines come with it. However, there is an orange "extra power" spring that is floating around in the box. Keep an eye out for it.

For those wanting to know, it comes with an F marked FSB.


Now once my mags and ammo get in; I'll be putting some rounds down range.

[M1A2_Tanker]

Got my upper tonight.

For those getting just the S&W, no magazines come with it. However, there is an orange "extra power" spring that is floating around in the box. Keep an eye out for it.

For those wanting to know, it comes with an F marked FSB.


Now once my mags and ammo get in; I'll be putting some rounds down range.

Do you mean just the upper? If so can you point me where to find one online? Thanks

[Jay Cunningham]

As a teaser, I got my magazines from CProducts. Quite obviously no anti-tilt follower design and the rounds seemed to load erratically - not very confidence inspiring.

[NCPatrolAR]

Do you mean just the upper? If so can you point me where to find one online? Thanks

Correct; no mag comes with the upper. A single mag should come if you buy a complete gun.

I ordered my upper from Cope's Distributing; but got one of the last ones they had. Pretty sure the are out right now. You might want to keep an eye out at Budsgunshop.com for complete guns.

[NCPatrolAR]

As a teaser, I got my magazines from CProducts. Quite obviously no anti-tilt follower design and the rounds seemed to load erratically - not very confidence inspiring.

How long did it take for you to get your mags? I ordered 5 on Tuesday.

[decodeddiesel]

Thekatar, are you worried about being able to clean the corrosive salts out of the gas tube? And similarly, do you think there would be merit in installing a short stroke gas piston (perhaps PWS)? I believe this facilitate easier cleaning of the gas system as well as prevent more un-burned solids and gas from being piped back into the receiver. True the receiver would be much easier to clean as opposed to the DI gas system, but minimizing contamination should probably be the key theme here. Interesting project regardless, I agree that the mag issue could be a show stopper here.

[Jay Cunningham]

How long did it take for you to get your mags? I ordered 5 on Tuesday.

They came really fast.

[Jay Cunningham]

Thekatar, are you worried about being able to clean the corrosive salts out of the gas tube? And similarly, do you think there would be merit in installing a short stroke gas piston (perhaps PWS)? I believe this facilitate easier cleaning of the gas system as well as prevent more un-burned solids and gas from being piped back into the receiver. True the receiver would be much easier to clean as opposed to the DI gas system, but minimizing contamination should probably be the key theme here. Interesting project regardless, I agree that the mag issue could be a show stopper here.

Frankly I am not worried about it at all. Let me ask you - what metal is the gas tube made from? Is this metal known to easily corrode?

Just hit the parts with boiling water and some WD-40, then lube as usual.

Unless I am missing something, militaries around the world used corrosive ammunition for a very long time in firearms that were much more susceptible to corrosion than modern AR's and they all did okay...

Sometimes I think people worry too much.

[decodeddiesel]

Frankly I am not worried about it at all. Let me ask you - what metal is the gas tube made from? Is this metal known to easily corrode?

Just hit the parts with boiling water and some WD-40, then lube as usual.

Unless I am missing something, militaries around the world used corrosive ammunition for a very long time in firearms that were much more susceptible to corrosion than modern AR's and they all did okay...

Sometimes I think people worry too much.

I believe the gas tube is stainless, not too sure which alloy, but you're right it is designed to be corrosion resistant. I think your boiling water + water displacement formula treatment should suffice. I used to use hot water + compressed air to clean the "moon dust" from my M4 while in Iraq.

As far as foreign military use, that is very true. I am sure they're not many (if any) AK-74s that are dead lined strictly from corrosive ammo use, and they are far more susceptible to corrosion than an AR.