Optics have become standard fare on the modern AR. However, rifles get dropped, batteries die, screws come loose, glass breaks and reticles can sometimes refuse to point in the same direction as the barrel. Because of this, it is not uncommon to see rifles that have both some kind of glass and iron sights. For a rifle that might be used in an emergency situation, having a backup aiming system just makes sense.
There are many different options available for upgrading the stock safety on an AR15. Most of these are a variation on the original rotating lever design. Various companies offer a variety of different rotation angles and lever lengths, as well as styles and colors. However, Elftmann Tactical has come up with something a bit different, a push button style safety for the AR platform. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The search for the perfect rifle scope is akin to the search for the lost city of El Dorado. It is easy to get obsessed and spend significant time and treasure, thinking that perfection is just around the next bend. However, all optics are a matter of balancing trade-offs and features for a given price point. One scope that offers a surprising amount of features for the money in a body that’s build like a tank is the Lucid P7. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
In the last installment of our Easy AR Build, we barreled our upper receiver and installed the gas block. One of the advantages to our simplified build plan is using the Midwest Industries G3 M-Series handguard kit, which includes the barrel nut and installation tool. Unlike the original USGI system, this barrel nut does not have to be torqued out of the way to allow the gas tube room to fit into the receiver. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
So far in previous posts from our easy AR15 build series we’ve planned out our new rifle, figured the cost of parts and gotten the tools organized. Now we’re ready to take the first big step in assembling our upper, installing the barrel and gas block. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
In the last episode of this series, we started the process of planning out an easy ar15 build. Today, we’re going to take a look at our overall cost, go over the tools that we’ll need to put everything together and explain the reasoning behind going with our simpler subassemblies, such as a complete lower. ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The modern AR15 weapon system is all about options. In most states, the local gun store will have a few different choices available right off of the rack. But, sometimes, while holding one of those shiny new ARs, a fella thinks “ya know, I just wish this one had…” This could end with upgraded handguards, Magpul furniture, a better trigger, match grade barrel, tricked out bolt carrier group, adjustable gas system, ambidextrous features or any of a number of custom touches. With that in mind, we’re going to put together an AR designed for emergency preparedness and show the easy way to get the most wanted features into a new build. If you’ve never put together your own AR15 before, this is a great place to start.
Ruger’s 10/22 rifle has been a mainstay of rimfire shooters for the last fifty years. This simple design is the first rifle in the hands of many youngsters, while other folks will customize it to the point that there are no Ruger made parts remaining. However, with many non-youth shooters, a common complaint with the 10/22’s design is ergonomic issues with the factory stock. The short length, lack of any adjustment and a barrel band can work against a shooter who is pursuing precision marksmanship.
There is an increasing interest in suppressor ownership and calibers which are short barreled rifle friendly, such as 300 blackout. Quiet firearms are more pleasant to shoot, help protect hearing and are less likely to disturb the neighbors. However, these types of items are subject to additional tax and regulations by the federal government. One legal way to simplify these paperwork and ownership issues is with a NFA Firearms Trust. These trusts can allow certain friends or family to borrow your NFA items, shorten paperwork processing time and make it easier to pass on these items to beneficiaries.
One of the advantages of the AR weapon system is that there are options for pretty much every interest, budget and intended use. Patriot Ordinance Factory got their start back in 2002 and now represents the higher end of the AR spectrum. Frank DeSomma, who comes from an aerospace background, started the company with the idea of innovating the AR platform. Since then, they have been a pioneer with ideas such as piston driven systems, one piece bolt carriers and dual extraction technology. We had the opportunity to tour their Phoenix, Arizona headquarters and take a look behind the scenes to see how POF ARs are made.
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