Recce Build

**watertower** · 02-14-07, 16:36

I admit I'm not done searching the forums, but so far I haven't found a thread on this.

I've been thinking about taking a 14.5" Colt M4 barrel and using it as the basis for a Recce build (I already have the barrel and another complete M4). I realize this will leave me a little short on velocity if I really wanted to reach out and touch something, but I don't see this being used much beyond 250 or 300 yards, ever.

So here's what I'm looking at using:
TA01NSN ACOG
14.5" Colt barrel
chopped front sight tower for a gas block
MI midlength FF tube
Troy front sight
ARMS 40L rear sight

The only thing I'm really missing is the front sight and the tube. Tell me if I'm flawed for thinking a 14.5" barrel would work as a Recce build.
Thanks,
Scott

**vinesr6** · 02-14-07, 20:20

I don't think it's flawed. But if you want a Recce build why not sell the Colt barrel and get a 16" barrel...Noveske or one of Denny's.

Also something to consider is if this is going on a SBR lower you're okay otherwise you have to permanently pin something to meet the 16" bbl requirement and spend a few more bucks to have that done.

**watertower** · 02-14-07, 21:13

This won't be an SBR and the barrel already has a pinned Phantom on it. I thought about selling this barrel and replacing it, but I like the 14.5" length and honestly, I'm a little compulsive. I've been kicking this around for a week already and figured I'd try to get a few opinions before I actually do it.

Thanks for the input. After doing some more searching, I've actually found more pictures of 14.5" barrels with long handguards and ACOGs than I expected.

Anybody else want to chime in?

**vinesr6** · 02-14-07, 22:08

Here's a 14.5" Noveske Afghan bbl, MUR Upper, DD 12 Lite Rail...

**edwin907** · 02-14-07, 22:10

Here is my 14.5" "Short Recce" build, which I call a "Scout", the name derived from the JTAC Recon Scout 14.5" fluted WOA barrel and it has a LT 13.2 rail.

It's a very handy little rifle, not really very heavy, and even with the SpecWar2 suppressor mounted handles very nicely.

**JaxCatm** · 02-14-07, 22:53

I don't think you would be going wrong at all to use a 14.5 inch barrel. I run a 14.5 inch barrel and the exact ACOG you are talking about on my duty rifle. Hits at 300 to 400 are really not a problem. I can say that a 16 inch SPR profile barrel balances a little better for me. It really just comes down to what you are going to use it for.

**watertower** · 02-15-07, 22:12

I've decided a 14.5" Recce is definitely in my future. I thought I was all set with the 14.5" M4, but I really like the idea of a longer tube that I can easily put a bipod on, that will be lightweight and more precise than a nonfloated M4.

Edwin,
It was that picture and 1 other I found that really convinced me. Unfortunately I see the scout rifles are no longer being done the same as yours, with the flutes.

Thanks for the info and opinions.
Scott

**VA_Dinger** · 02-16-07, 15:35

I think the TA01NSN ACOG is a great optic for a Recce. Considering it’s supposed to be a carbine that's geared more towards medium range targets. For that purpose the TA01NSN still excels.