Tiger McKee's Basic AR Fighting Rifle

[JShirley]

Zak, would you mind describing the rifles in the second photo? Except for the muzzle brake, they look close to (one kind of) perfect.

Also, do you find increased utility for the enlarged trigger guard? It does look neat, but I'd hate for that to be the only reason I included it on a rifle!

John

 

[Zak Smith]

Here are some references about those rifles

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=209756
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=315010
(May need account to access the AR15 archive server.)

http://demigodllc.com/articles/evolution-of-the-3-gun-practical-rifle/

There is no reason you have to have a muzzle brake on there - I just do for 3Gun. I've also used other muzzle devices:


The first one - the painted tan one - was built specifically to fulfill both the high-intensity and the carbine precision parts of the ITRC match, as well as being a great 3Gun/practical rifle. This meant it needed to be able to engage small targets to the limit to 223/556 as well as maintain reliability through high-intensity courses of fire, namely the 300 round in 15-30 minute section of the ITRC. So there were a number of reliability and zero-retention features we went for.

As you point out, it is very close to a practical/tactical configuration, there is not much to argue against other than perhaps the brake.

In any case, the basic configuration is fairly simple: 17", rifle length gas system, mid-light weight profile barrel (about 0.72" under handguards, 0.75" forward of gas block), PRI carbon fiber float tube with optional/selectable rail segments, pinned gas block (for reliability).

The lowers have Magpul stuff because I like it and I run JP 4# triggers on almost everything. These have been 100% reliable over tens of thousands of rounds and 7 years.

On the trigger guard, I actually like it more because it fills in that void right in front of the grip (the square hole where a "gapper" might go) and provides a little wider platform and a different angle of support, which I find helpful especially when manipulating the gun and holding it strong-hand only.

Anyway, what's interesting is that the last photo I posted is basically Rock River 16" MLGS, which just had the barrel turned down a bit to save on weight an a LaRue rail system added. It's been very reliable and would be a good choice for a general utility/fighting upper.

 

[Jeff White]

I have to question the utility of a free float barrel on a carbine. It's a fighting rifle for heavens sake! It's not like you are going to need to shoot any tighter then 2-4 MOA that a standard carbine is capable of.

Then there are the durability issues with a carbon fiber hand guard. He did say it was a fighting rifle in the article, right? How much banging around can carbon fiber take?

What's the advantage of an old style cotter pin? In 35 years of combined Army Infantry and LE experience I've seen one cotter pin break. And I think I've probably seen every bad things a soldier or cop can do to an AR/M16.

Chrome silicon extractor & ejector springs from Superior Shooting Systems, what for? There is nothing wrong with the USGI extractor and the current spring with black insert, especially in a 16" barreled semi-auto.

I think putting a 16" barrel of unknown origin on a Les Baer upper is kind of funny, did the article say they were on some kind of budget?

 

[Zak Smith]

I've used a regular AR-15A2 with stock handguards in local practical rifle matches to 425 yards-- and beat all but 2 optics/open guys while doing it. Based on that, I don't think the standard handguards are a liability for accuracy in most cases. It is probably more of a problem the lighter the barrel contour, though.


............... Larger version of above photo.

With regard to the PRI carbon fiber fore-end-- it is the tube used on the Mk12 SPR, and as far as I know, there haven't been complaints and the tube breaking in actual military use. Anyone know differently?

 

[Jeff White]

I've had no problem hitting out to 350 meters with a standard M16A1. I think that unless you are shooting bench rest, prairie dogs or sniping, a free float barrel is unnecessary cost and complexity. But that's just me.

 

[Eustachius234]

No budget indicated.

 

[pgeleven]

i have never seen so many moderators on one thread

 

[Eustachius234]

Zak:

I've been communicating with MSTN on building me a World Class AR Fighting Rifle. Anyways, just wanted to say thanks for the tips.

 

[rob_s]

If this is your first AR, my suggestion would be to either buy, or assemble, a basic flattop carbine an stick an Aimpoint on it in a Larue or ADM mount.

benezra linked to a couple of articles on my site, and the "basic carbine build" one is fast becoming my favorite rifle in the safe, despite having many other options with way more whiz-bang and with a lot more money sunk into them.

 

[JShirley]

You know, I think some moderators don't hear this often enough:

but, thanks to Lee, Jeff, and Zak for being willing to share their knowledge and experience. I think that a lot of folks don't understand the resources they have.

My personal rifle is a 16" Stag Arms Upper with a Sully Stock. It has an ARMS quick-throw mount with an AccuPoint 1.25-4x.

I am extremely fast and accurate at close range, and suck at distance. I think this is most likely related to the nature of the post reticle.

John