usp_fan
Member
I wanted to write up a review of some changes I recently made to my AR15. I felt the need after the sunset of the AWB to make a few “upgrades†to my basic A2 kit built AR15. This rifle started out as a J&T kit minus the 20†barrel. I purchased a Bushmaster 20†heavy profile chrome lined barrel and my wife was good to me that Christmas of 1999 and I found a receiver under the tree.
I quickly learned that the AR is easy to put together. It took me awhile longer to learn that the heavy barrels are just that—heavy! I also realized I wasn’t going to camp Perry any time soon and the A2 sights were not as flexible as a flattop.
With the expiration of the ban I thought I’d plunge back in to the world of AR’s and do something fun with mine.
My criteria were:
1. No M4 clones—I wanted a longer barrel (velocity) and the longer gas system (Zak Smith)
2. Flattop receiver—flexibility in sight choices
3. Flash hider—duh?
4. Lighter contour barrel
5. Optic—If I could find one in my price range
6. Maybe a collapsible stock—just cause they look cool
I began by ordering a Grizzly factory second flattop upper receiver. These are a great buy for under $50.00. I couldn’t find why mine was a second. These are “T†marked if you wanted to know.
Next, I hit the yellow pages and called machine shops in town. I found one with decent rates that sounded like he was interested in doing some barrel work. I took him both my AR barrel and my 18†FAL barrel. He turned my AR barrel to A2 profile under the hand guards and cut 2†off of it. He then threaded both the FAL and AR barrel ½ x 28 to accept standard AR attachments. I know, that’s not the right thread for FAL barrel attachments. Bear with me; it works out in the end. Both barrels came home for a sand blast and dip in Brownell’s Manganese Parkerizing solution.
Everything got reassembled. The FAL will get written up when I’ve got time. Both rifles received Phantom 5 slot flash suppressors. I bored out the FAL’s to .310 inch. I liked the look and the price was hard to beat.
The AR now looked a little more battle worthy, but it was light up top, no rear sights. I found an YHM BUIS on the equipment exchange over at ar15.com and picked it up. It fit perfectly and allows the large aperture to be selected for “pop up deploymentâ€. If you were wondering, this buis is not spring loaded and locks in the UP position.
I really wanted an optic, but everything (except the Hakko tacpoints) was outside my price range. I had some birthday cash waiting and lucky me—I found an Aimpoint CompC and QR mount for just over $200.00 With the promise to ebay some old knives and bicycle parts, the spare cash was allocated from the baby fund and the Aimpoint was on the way.
This weekend everything came together.
I took the rifle out to my friend’s back yard, measured off 50 yards, and began to zero. I zeroed the iron sights first. I had to dial in some left windage and raise the front post but everything was soon hitting where I needed it, and in roughly 2†groups.
Next I dialed in the Aimpoint. It was much faster and only took 6 rounds to zero. Groups were tighter and the red dot aiming point was very fast on target. I set up water jugs and old CD’s and practiced quick doubles. That sight is amazingly fast to hit with!
So now I’ve nearly got my ideal AR. I’m still debating on the butt stock. I may just go with an A1 and a magazine pouch on the stock. This seems to represent my thoughts about what a grab and go rifle should be. Thanks to all on this board for the great dialog that helped inform my opinions.
Final list:
J&T build kit
Bushmaster lower
Grizzly upper
Bushmaster 20†barrel cut to and threaded to 18†and turned down under the guards
YHM BUIS
Aimpoint CompC with Aimpoint QR mount
Tango Down Grip
Phantom 5 slot FS
I quickly learned that the AR is easy to put together. It took me awhile longer to learn that the heavy barrels are just that—heavy! I also realized I wasn’t going to camp Perry any time soon and the A2 sights were not as flexible as a flattop.
With the expiration of the ban I thought I’d plunge back in to the world of AR’s and do something fun with mine.
My criteria were:
1. No M4 clones—I wanted a longer barrel (velocity) and the longer gas system (Zak Smith)
2. Flattop receiver—flexibility in sight choices
3. Flash hider—duh?
4. Lighter contour barrel
5. Optic—If I could find one in my price range
6. Maybe a collapsible stock—just cause they look cool
I began by ordering a Grizzly factory second flattop upper receiver. These are a great buy for under $50.00. I couldn’t find why mine was a second. These are “T†marked if you wanted to know.
Next, I hit the yellow pages and called machine shops in town. I found one with decent rates that sounded like he was interested in doing some barrel work. I took him both my AR barrel and my 18†FAL barrel. He turned my AR barrel to A2 profile under the hand guards and cut 2†off of it. He then threaded both the FAL and AR barrel ½ x 28 to accept standard AR attachments. I know, that’s not the right thread for FAL barrel attachments. Bear with me; it works out in the end. Both barrels came home for a sand blast and dip in Brownell’s Manganese Parkerizing solution.
Everything got reassembled. The FAL will get written up when I’ve got time. Both rifles received Phantom 5 slot flash suppressors. I bored out the FAL’s to .310 inch. I liked the look and the price was hard to beat.
The AR now looked a little more battle worthy, but it was light up top, no rear sights. I found an YHM BUIS on the equipment exchange over at ar15.com and picked it up. It fit perfectly and allows the large aperture to be selected for “pop up deploymentâ€. If you were wondering, this buis is not spring loaded and locks in the UP position.
I really wanted an optic, but everything (except the Hakko tacpoints) was outside my price range. I had some birthday cash waiting and lucky me—I found an Aimpoint CompC and QR mount for just over $200.00 With the promise to ebay some old knives and bicycle parts, the spare cash was allocated from the baby fund and the Aimpoint was on the way.
This weekend everything came together.
I took the rifle out to my friend’s back yard, measured off 50 yards, and began to zero. I zeroed the iron sights first. I had to dial in some left windage and raise the front post but everything was soon hitting where I needed it, and in roughly 2†groups.
Next I dialed in the Aimpoint. It was much faster and only took 6 rounds to zero. Groups were tighter and the red dot aiming point was very fast on target. I set up water jugs and old CD’s and practiced quick doubles. That sight is amazingly fast to hit with!
So now I’ve nearly got my ideal AR. I’m still debating on the butt stock. I may just go with an A1 and a magazine pouch on the stock. This seems to represent my thoughts about what a grab and go rifle should be. Thanks to all on this board for the great dialog that helped inform my opinions.
Final list:
J&T build kit
Bushmaster lower
Grizzly upper
Bushmaster 20†barrel cut to and threaded to 18†and turned down under the guards
YHM BUIS
Aimpoint CompC with Aimpoint QR mount
Tango Down Grip
Phantom 5 slot FS
