AK-J
01-01-2013, 02:40 PM
Back in May or June I decided I wanted something better/different from my first build, an 20" DTI HBAR kit on a Superior Arms Lower (in its final incarnation, it was simply too heavy at 10.5 lbs empty). So since then until the beginning of December, I was collecting parts. While collecting parts for building a new upper, things ended up becoming plans to build three complete rifles. Those three rifles are: My interpretation of an SPR, a lightweight 20" barreled modern rifle, and a clone of an M16A1. I'm still waiting on the receivers to come in on the M16A1 clone (should come in sometime this month from NoDak Spud).
Let's start with the SPR. I originally wanted something a little lighter, but potentially more accurate than my 20" HBAR. It ended up being about one pound lighter when it was finished.
Here's a picture of the parts prior to assembly:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/DSC00179.jpg
The parts include:
-Rainier Arms Ultra Match A4 Upper
-Daniel Defense 18" S2W barrel w/ pinned low-profile gas block
-Mil-Spec barrel nut
-Bravo Company mid-length gas tube
-Young Mfg National Match BCG
-Rainier Arms Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle
-Troy 13" Alpha Rail Hand guard
-Troy Flip-up BUIS set
-Troy Low Profile QD swivel socket for Alpha Rail
-Troy Rail section for Alpha Rail
-A1 Flash-hider w/ lock washer
-Spike's Tactical Punisher Lower
-Spike's Tactical Billet Trigger Guard
-Spike's Tactical Lower Parts Kit w/o trigger group
-Troy Ambidextrous Safety
-Magpul OD Miad Grip
-Magpul OD UBR stock
-Spike's Tactical Mil-Spec 17-7 Buffer Spring
-Spike's Tactical Carbine Buffer
Not shown:
-Geissele Super Dynamics Combat trigger Group
-Magpul UBR strike plate
-Troy Ambi Mag release
Before I put it all together, I painted the upper/lower/handguard with Duracoat in Magpul OD green. Below are pictures of the final product:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/SPR001.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/SPR002.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/SPR003.jpg
The scope+mount is the one I'd previously used on my DTI HBAR. It's a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24mm MRAD scope w/ a LaRue Tactical SPR-E mount.
The "Lightweight" rifle was inspired by the barrel I got for my M16A1 clone. After receiving the pencil profile 20" barrel from Fulton Armory for my M16A1 clone, I was impressed by how light it was, and the quality of the barrel was top notch. I got an idea that it would make a starting point for a excellent general purpose rifle that was lightweight, but still maintained the velocity of 20" barrel. And that's how I ended up building this rifle.
The lower receiver is the same one I had ended up with on my HBAR. I just disassembled it to Duracoat it. Other than it using a Superior Arms lower receiver and a Magpul Advanced Trigger Guard (instead of the Spike's units), it's identical to the lower from my SPR.
The upper has the following parts:
-DTI A3 upper (flat-top w/o M4 feed ramps)
-Fulton Armory pencil profile 20" barrel (1-8 twist, Chrome Lined, 5.56mm Chamber) w/ F-marked .625 FSB w/ Bayonet lug (FSB installed w/ taper pins by ADCO firearms [the only thing I didn't do myself on both rifles, as I didn't want to dick it up])
-Mil-spec barrel nut
-rifle length gas tube
-Young Mfg hard chromed BCG w/ gas key bolts staked by Rainier Arms
-A1 flash-hider
-Troy 13" Alpha Rail modified (shortened by removing about 1/2" from the front to allow the FSB to fit)
-Troy rear flip-up BUIS
-Also has two Troy QD sling sockets on left side (one towards the muzzle, one near the receiver) that fit into the cooling holes (they look invisible with the squid grips installed)
-Raptor Ambi charging handle
This rifle also had the upper/lower/handguard duracoated:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/Lightweight_Rifle001.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/Lightweight_Rifle002.jpg
It ends up coming in a 7 lbs 5 oz empty. I think I could lose another pound or so if I went with a M4 buffer tube and stock, but the UBR stocks are just too nice.
I painted and built both rifles at the same time. Both have had 180rds through each of them, with out any failures. I can't yet report what their accuracy is, as I haven't been to a formal rifle range so far to zero them.
The hardest part about assembling these rifles was waiting for the parts to become available and prepping for painting. With the right tools, it was super easy. I am glad that I was able to first learn to assemble the lowers w/ my first build, and I was able to really get to know the AR-15 weapon platform prior to tackling a complete build. Another note, these build were the opposite of budget builds. The parts were all pricey, and the total cost adds up very quickly.
I really like the Raptor Ambi charging handle. It's very well made and over built. The "T" latches don't over protrude, but are wide enough to get a good purchase on. I am also now a super fan of the Troy Alpha Rail. It doesn't really as any extra weight (only .25 oz heavier than A2 handguards and doesn't use the slip ring or forward handguard retainer), is slim, easy to install, and only has the rails that you actually feel that you need.
As I said before, I'm still waiting on the receivers for my M16A1 clone build, but fortunately I have all of the other parts I need. Because I waited too long to decide to build a retro rifle, finding correct parts was much more difficult than it would have been if I had jumped on those parts kits that used to be available. Plus it would have been cheaper. The most difficult things to locate where the correct slip ring and front sight base. No one seems to make reproductions of either right now.
PS: Below is a couple of pictures of my first build. Both as it was assembled originally, and the final incarnation. I strongly suggest that if anyone decides to build/purchase a 20" barreled rifle, to not go for the HBAR, but the Gov't profile (A2). It now looks as it originally did. It now has a DTI lower with all the original lower parts, and the Daniel Defense handguard has been replaced with the original A2 unit.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/AR15complete.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/AR15showcase003.jpg
Let's start with the SPR. I originally wanted something a little lighter, but potentially more accurate than my 20" HBAR. It ended up being about one pound lighter when it was finished.
Here's a picture of the parts prior to assembly:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/DSC00179.jpg
The parts include:
-Rainier Arms Ultra Match A4 Upper
-Daniel Defense 18" S2W barrel w/ pinned low-profile gas block
-Mil-Spec barrel nut
-Bravo Company mid-length gas tube
-Young Mfg National Match BCG
-Rainier Arms Raptor Ambidextrous Charging Handle
-Troy 13" Alpha Rail Hand guard
-Troy Flip-up BUIS set
-Troy Low Profile QD swivel socket for Alpha Rail
-Troy Rail section for Alpha Rail
-A1 Flash-hider w/ lock washer
-Spike's Tactical Punisher Lower
-Spike's Tactical Billet Trigger Guard
-Spike's Tactical Lower Parts Kit w/o trigger group
-Troy Ambidextrous Safety
-Magpul OD Miad Grip
-Magpul OD UBR stock
-Spike's Tactical Mil-Spec 17-7 Buffer Spring
-Spike's Tactical Carbine Buffer
Not shown:
-Geissele Super Dynamics Combat trigger Group
-Magpul UBR strike plate
-Troy Ambi Mag release
Before I put it all together, I painted the upper/lower/handguard with Duracoat in Magpul OD green. Below are pictures of the final product:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/SPR001.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/SPR002.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/SPR003.jpg
The scope+mount is the one I'd previously used on my DTI HBAR. It's a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24mm MRAD scope w/ a LaRue Tactical SPR-E mount.
The "Lightweight" rifle was inspired by the barrel I got for my M16A1 clone. After receiving the pencil profile 20" barrel from Fulton Armory for my M16A1 clone, I was impressed by how light it was, and the quality of the barrel was top notch. I got an idea that it would make a starting point for a excellent general purpose rifle that was lightweight, but still maintained the velocity of 20" barrel. And that's how I ended up building this rifle.
The lower receiver is the same one I had ended up with on my HBAR. I just disassembled it to Duracoat it. Other than it using a Superior Arms lower receiver and a Magpul Advanced Trigger Guard (instead of the Spike's units), it's identical to the lower from my SPR.
The upper has the following parts:
-DTI A3 upper (flat-top w/o M4 feed ramps)
-Fulton Armory pencil profile 20" barrel (1-8 twist, Chrome Lined, 5.56mm Chamber) w/ F-marked .625 FSB w/ Bayonet lug (FSB installed w/ taper pins by ADCO firearms [the only thing I didn't do myself on both rifles, as I didn't want to dick it up])
-Mil-spec barrel nut
-rifle length gas tube
-Young Mfg hard chromed BCG w/ gas key bolts staked by Rainier Arms
-A1 flash-hider
-Troy 13" Alpha Rail modified (shortened by removing about 1/2" from the front to allow the FSB to fit)
-Troy rear flip-up BUIS
-Also has two Troy QD sling sockets on left side (one towards the muzzle, one near the receiver) that fit into the cooling holes (they look invisible with the squid grips installed)
-Raptor Ambi charging handle
This rifle also had the upper/lower/handguard duracoated:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/Lightweight_Rifle001.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/Lightweight_Rifle002.jpg
It ends up coming in a 7 lbs 5 oz empty. I think I could lose another pound or so if I went with a M4 buffer tube and stock, but the UBR stocks are just too nice.
I painted and built both rifles at the same time. Both have had 180rds through each of them, with out any failures. I can't yet report what their accuracy is, as I haven't been to a formal rifle range so far to zero them.
The hardest part about assembling these rifles was waiting for the parts to become available and prepping for painting. With the right tools, it was super easy. I am glad that I was able to first learn to assemble the lowers w/ my first build, and I was able to really get to know the AR-15 weapon platform prior to tackling a complete build. Another note, these build were the opposite of budget builds. The parts were all pricey, and the total cost adds up very quickly.
I really like the Raptor Ambi charging handle. It's very well made and over built. The "T" latches don't over protrude, but are wide enough to get a good purchase on. I am also now a super fan of the Troy Alpha Rail. It doesn't really as any extra weight (only .25 oz heavier than A2 handguards and doesn't use the slip ring or forward handguard retainer), is slim, easy to install, and only has the rails that you actually feel that you need.
As I said before, I'm still waiting on the receivers for my M16A1 clone build, but fortunately I have all of the other parts I need. Because I waited too long to decide to build a retro rifle, finding correct parts was much more difficult than it would have been if I had jumped on those parts kits that used to be available. Plus it would have been cheaper. The most difficult things to locate where the correct slip ring and front sight base. No one seems to make reproductions of either right now.
PS: Below is a couple of pictures of my first build. Both as it was assembled originally, and the final incarnation. I strongly suggest that if anyone decides to build/purchase a 20" barreled rifle, to not go for the HBAR, but the Gov't profile (A2). It now looks as it originally did. It now has a DTI lower with all the original lower parts, and the Daniel Defense handguard has been replaced with the original A2 unit.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/AR15complete.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g118/avtomatj/AR15showcase003.jpg