jad0110
Member
Hello all.
I put together my first AR from a rifle kit a few years ago. I did not want to spend a ton on my first rifle, as my experience with handguns told me the first one usually just gets you pointed in the right direction and you trade up soon thereafter.
My AR is built on a Doublestar lower, with RRA 2-stage trigger group. I have a 6 position CAR C4 stock and Del-Ton mid length flattop upper in 5.56 with a 1x9 HBAR (chrome lined). Yesterday, the gas key came unstaked. I got it temporarily restaked so that I can rule out any problems with the gas system before proceeding further (the bolt was cycling fully). From what I've read, older DTI Bolt Carrier Groups weren't necessarily the best quality BCGs on the planet.
At this point, at a minimum I'll swap out the entire Bolt Carrier Group for a unit from Bravo Co Mfg (checking headspace when I do so). I love the mid length design, it just makes a great all around carbine for me. But at the time I bought it, mid length upper selection was very limited. In fact, all the ones I could find were 1x9 twist with HBARs. IMHO, a HBAR on a 16 carbine with a light adjustable stock is a bit muzzle heavy for my tastes, and I'd like to have the option of shooting a variety of loads over 69 grains (such as Hornady TAP) as a bonus (1x7 twist).
Therefore, I am considering getting new flattop upper assembly and BCG from Bravo Co or Spikes Tacticle (5.56, 1x7 twist). Since I know I like the middies, I may as well go with one of the best. Two versions are offered, one with a pencil barrel (.625FSB) and one with a std government profile (.700 or so, I assume???).
I don't hunt with it, nor do I do a tremendous amount of rapid fire, maybe a single 20 or 30 round mag emptied into a bunch of water bottles, spoiled fruit and my kid's busted toys every now and then for craps and giggles . Mainly, the gun is for range fun/target shooting/SHTF/home defense backup to my Mossberg 590A. One day, it may also become my wife's primary HD gun when I'm away on travel (she finds my current HBAR middy muzzle heavy as well). I don't mind some forward weight to stabilize the gun a bit when shooting offhand, but I certainly want nimbler handling qualities than my current HBAR setup.
So given the above, which would you go with? Is there a noticeable difference in balance between a full pencil barrel and the std gov profile in a 16" carbine?
Thank you so much for your input.
I put together my first AR from a rifle kit a few years ago. I did not want to spend a ton on my first rifle, as my experience with handguns told me the first one usually just gets you pointed in the right direction and you trade up soon thereafter.
My AR is built on a Doublestar lower, with RRA 2-stage trigger group. I have a 6 position CAR C4 stock and Del-Ton mid length flattop upper in 5.56 with a 1x9 HBAR (chrome lined). Yesterday, the gas key came unstaked. I got it temporarily restaked so that I can rule out any problems with the gas system before proceeding further (the bolt was cycling fully). From what I've read, older DTI Bolt Carrier Groups weren't necessarily the best quality BCGs on the planet.
At this point, at a minimum I'll swap out the entire Bolt Carrier Group for a unit from Bravo Co Mfg (checking headspace when I do so). I love the mid length design, it just makes a great all around carbine for me. But at the time I bought it, mid length upper selection was very limited. In fact, all the ones I could find were 1x9 twist with HBARs. IMHO, a HBAR on a 16 carbine with a light adjustable stock is a bit muzzle heavy for my tastes, and I'd like to have the option of shooting a variety of loads over 69 grains (such as Hornady TAP) as a bonus (1x7 twist).
Therefore, I am considering getting new flattop upper assembly and BCG from Bravo Co or Spikes Tacticle (5.56, 1x7 twist). Since I know I like the middies, I may as well go with one of the best. Two versions are offered, one with a pencil barrel (.625FSB) and one with a std government profile (.700 or so, I assume???).
I don't hunt with it, nor do I do a tremendous amount of rapid fire, maybe a single 20 or 30 round mag emptied into a bunch of water bottles, spoiled fruit and my kid's busted toys every now and then for craps and giggles . Mainly, the gun is for range fun/target shooting/SHTF/home defense backup to my Mossberg 590A. One day, it may also become my wife's primary HD gun when I'm away on travel (she finds my current HBAR middy muzzle heavy as well). I don't mind some forward weight to stabilize the gun a bit when shooting offhand, but I certainly want nimbler handling qualities than my current HBAR setup.
So given the above, which would you go with? Is there a noticeable difference in balance between a full pencil barrel and the std gov profile in a 16" carbine?
Thank you so much for your input.
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