So I have been doing some reading, looking and thinking about Project AR Upgrade. Want to run this by you all. I think a 14.5in barrel is the way to go. The velocity difference between 14.5 and 16 isn't much and I am more likely to move in confined areas than need a tiny bit of oomph on long shots anyway. This setup should be great for killing Zombies or whatever.
Upper:
BCM 14.5" Mid Length (LIGHT WEIGHT) w/ pinned Battle Comp
Bolt Carrier Group:
BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) - Auto
For a charging handle I will likely go with one of their 'gunfighter' models but have to look at them and try to get my hands one. As of now it will go on an existing lower, another will be purchased specifically for this build at some point. For a BUIS I will probably get the MAGPUL model. The optic will be an ACOG. I do not plan to put a rail on until a DBAL I2 IR laser is in the budget and that will be awhile.
So I am curious about your thoughts on this potential build. What would be good? What could be better? Could anything be a problem? If these thoughts are based on personal first hand experiences please say so.
Edited to include:
1) Standard government profile or light weight barrel? Why?
2) The Battle Comp is pretty expensive costing $180 to get one pinned onto the barrel. BCM also offers a PWS FSC556 for $109. I have heard nothing but good things about the Battle Comp but is it $80 better than the PWS FSC556? I just don't know. To be honest I am used to the standard bird cage so anything better than that is probably gravy. I'm thinking the PWS FSC556 might be a good not breaking the bank option.
Upper:
BCM 14.5" Mid Length (LIGHT WEIGHT) w/ pinned Battle Comp
Bolt Carrier Group:
BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) - Auto
For a charging handle I will likely go with one of their 'gunfighter' models but have to look at them and try to get my hands one. As of now it will go on an existing lower, another will be purchased specifically for this build at some point. For a BUIS I will probably get the MAGPUL model. The optic will be an ACOG. I do not plan to put a rail on until a DBAL I2 IR laser is in the budget and that will be awhile.
So I am curious about your thoughts on this potential build. What would be good? What could be better? Could anything be a problem? If these thoughts are based on personal first hand experiences please say so.
Edited to include:
1) Standard government profile or light weight barrel? Why?
2) The Battle Comp is pretty expensive costing $180 to get one pinned onto the barrel. BCM also offers a PWS FSC556 for $109. I have heard nothing but good things about the Battle Comp but is it $80 better than the PWS FSC556? I just don't know. To be honest I am used to the standard bird cage so anything better than that is probably gravy. I'm thinking the PWS FSC556 might be a good not breaking the bank option.
Posts
13 comments:
Gunfighter charging handles are nice. There are 3 sizes, the middle one balances the larger latch vs snagging on crap pretty well. They recently changed the blank they machine the charging handle body from, new version looks to snag less and has a small lip to deflect gas if you are running a suppressor. Looks pretty usable!
Also, magpul handguards work much better for me than the standard round ones. They are easy to hook a light on if you need one.
I have a 14.5 BCM standard gov't profile.
A few thoughts on the profile:
- On one hand, the light profile 14.5" is AS LIGHT as you can get without going NFA. That is nice if you are toting it around all day, or if a smaller person may use it.
- On the other hand, my gov't profile shows no POI shift with longer strings OR when I'm slung up, and I did not free float the bbl.
I figure for a home defense gun I will be strapping a surefire and an AIMPOINT PRO on there. It is not going to be ultra lightweight. So I'm ok with the gov't profile. I like being able to sling up without a noticeable POI change.
If you have a hankering to maybe go ultralightweight with your build in the future (or want the option to drop the light and optic, or buy an AIMPOINT Micro) then go lightweight bbl.
I have a YHM phantom flash hider on there. I did some late evening shooting at dusk at Front Sight and it did a noticeably better job than the A2 bird cages which is what I am used to as well. Of course, I bought the upper, bought the FH, had them welded, THEN bought the lower.
SInce you already have the lower you may have fewer options; I think the ATF applies "constructive possession" rules to SBRs!!!
Cheers,
Chris from AK
PS -- the POI data is derived from a lot of shooting at 25 yards where I was holding 2-4 MOA groups. I also did KD out to 20" steel at ~400 yards and was (A) prone w/ sling and (B) prone supported and had no issues ringing steel either way. I've also done some shooting at 100 yds and saw no noticeable difference.
There may be a small (~1 MOA or less) change in the POI with a hot bbl but that is acceptable. Not even really noticeable unless you're looking for it and even then I'm not convinced it is the hot bbl -- could be other things as well.
Chris, Thanks for the input. Gov't profile may well be the way to go. I am definitely going to get it pinned from the manufacturer. If I was going to screw around with federal firearms laws it would be for something a whole lot cooler than a 14.5 inch AR upper.
Battlecomp- Absolutely. Zero muzzle flip. I recommend these 100%. I've had one for quite a while.
Gunfighter- Yes again. I like mine a lot. Like Ben, I like the middle one.
Sounds like a good project. Have fun!
AP
(I have no experience with the other comp., so I can't say if the Battlecomp is $80 better or not. It's awesome for follow-up shots.)
Ryan, one more thought.
I have the Noveske "Flaming Pig" on my 10.5" pistol. It is very good at keeping the fireball tamed, and keeping the noise and concussion pointed towards zombies.
My wife shot it a while back, and I stood right next to her while she fired it, no problems.
I would not have done that with a regular birdcage device.
I don't know if you can get the Pig pinned on from the factory, though.
AP
Go with the BattleComp 2.0. It will allow for a suppressor.
if i read that bolt carrier correctly as "auto", i advise against that as ANY auto part installed in the gun is "an attempt to make the firearm fully automatic" by the ATF. get the ar15 semi bolt carrier. if you own an ar15 and possess auto parts you are wrong with ATF as well. kinda like minority report "pre-crime".
and go lightweight on the barrel.you'll be toting it way more than shooting it and you'll be shooting it at close range so pinpoint accuracy falls behind quick in that scenario.i don't care what muzzle device you use(outside of a suppessor),inside a building it won't be a noticable dif. jm2c
The majority of the material that comes off the lightweight barrel is in the form of metal removed at and in front (down range) of the gas block/front sight. The diameter of the barrel under the handguards does not change significantly.
If you are going to put a rail on in the future for the DBAL, hook your sling to it instead of the gas block and you can pull as hard as you want without negative effects. Also, if you are going to be running any kind of forward grip, a sling attachment point closer to the upper receiver keeps the sling out of the way of your hand a little better. The magpul handguards can be modded easily to put a sling mount farther back as well.
The flaming pig is pretty awesome, works best on shorter barrels. Makes SBRs and pistols much more friendly. Does not usually have as much effect as barrels get longer though. I've not shot a Battle Comp rifle, but I can say the FSC556 is not something you would want to stand next to. The FSC does not do much to actually hide flash either. Chris is right though, make sure you get your stuff pinned/welded before it gets to you.
The "auto" bolt carrier is not a NFA item and it does not make anything auto, even the ATF literature does not call out the carrier as a restricted item. Its a standard OEM part that is heavier than the half-moon style AR carrier. The "AR-15" carrier is a Colt change from the 80s, much like the large pin lowers. I'll see if I can find some supporting documentation of this after work if you are interested.
Much of this is simply a matter of the gun-driver's perspective. I would stick with the heavier profile barrel (better rigidity=better accuracy) and the heavier "M16" carrier (enhanced reliability). I would take a hard look at the Spike's Dynacomp. It is very similar to the Battlecomp but costs half as much. I can tell no difference when shooting them side by side. I strongly recommend a long (12-13 inch) floated tube like a Troy or VTAC. It allows for a properly supportive forward support grip with a small diameter tube, better light mounting options and you can just bolt on the rails you actually need. Definitely stick with the mid-length gas system though, regardless of chrome lined or stainless.
K, Thanks for the input. I am curious on your thoughts of Spikes stuff vs BCM.
Will have to reassess if rails are going to be part of this phase or the next one.
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