My latest AR build
 

I already had a nice selection of AR platforms but I had an upper left over from when I had JD Jones build me a .300 Whisper upper about 15 years ago. That upper was one of the Colt lightweight sporter uppers...had the barrel that had the H-Bar profile from the gas block out but skinny profile under the handguards. As it was a lightweight upper I decided to see how light I could build up a full sized rifle. I don't car for the M4 or collapsible stocks but wanted light so I decided on a Cavalry Arms MKII lower. Currently it is fit with DPMS trigger and hammer but will get a American Trigger Corporation AR15 Gold trigger next month. I have shot one of these and it truely is the shortest reset of any trigger on the market as well as being the cleanest breaking.

As the upper was a carrying handle upper I next had my smith mill off the handle leaving the original iron rear in place. He then added a scope base for optics. I feel this provides the ultimate in sighting...the strongest irons (much stronger against damage than clamp on BUISs) and the advantages of a flattop. I also added on a AK-47 style muzzle break. I added in a DPMS TiN bolt carrier group and the rest of the misc parts and ended up with a full sized rifle that weighs 7 pounds 11 ounces with optics and one magazine. At the range it proved to be a shooter as well. With 300 rounds so far with zero malfunctions and -MOA accuracy with 62 gr Prvi Partizan I think this one will be a keeper. I will add it is my first EBR that isn't black...lol. I really do like the coyote tan and will likely have the upper Duracoated in dark earth.

This one will be right at home with the .300 Whisper, 10" shorty, and H-Bar. The ease of assembly was great, I did have reservations about the molded lower but everything dropped right in and fit perfectly. I have had more problems with forged receivers.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...ing/lower2.jpghttp://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...ding/flash.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...tguns/cav1.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...tguns/cav2.jpg

Re: My latest AR build
 

Sweet! Nice job. I've got a few AR's and I have the itch to get another.

Re: My latest AR build
 

Nice rifle. Interesting idea with cutting off the handle and leaving the sight. What scope do you have on it?

Re: My latest AR build
 

Cant go wrong with ARs.

Looks pretty cool. Ive never seen one with the carry handle cut like that, its pretty unique.

Im working on building an AR15 pistol right now. Just need a flash hider and a free float tube and it will be finished. That is, if I can ever get the dowel pin out of the gas block. Im using a Noveske barrel and getting the gas block off of it has to be the biggest pain in the ass ever!

Re: My latest AR build
 

One thought on the pin...does Noveske use tapered pins?

The scope is a relatively inexpensive scope from Valhalla Armory. It is a QD mount, 2X7 power, BDC for .223, has both green and red illumination for the modified sniper crosshairs. I wrung this scope out pretty intensively on my FN/FAL. It is very repeatable and has held zero through repeated on and offs. I also shot a box several times with it and it always returned to zero. Vahalla does place a lifetime warranty on these so I figured I didn't have anything to lose trying one and I am glad I did.

Actually shaving the carrying handle is not that unusual, JD Jones started doing it many years ago before Colt started offering the flattops. I am a LE firearms instructor (semi-retired now) and I have seen 3 people either clean BUISs off their rifles or smack them hard enough to destroy zero in funhouses...normally going through a doorway. I have seen quite a few do it with only a small loss in zero but it did require sighting back in and I have also seen some of the folding BUISs get folded unintentionally and the operator did not notice till they tried to take a shot. I really believe this is the best answer to the problem but it isn't as tacticool as a flattop with them high dollar BUISs...lol.

As for the mount I would not be surprised if the original idea for it did not come from the AR 180. If you look at one you will notice the similarity between the rear sight on the 180 and my shaved handle. And of course the scope mount on the 180 went in front of the rear sight much as mine does.

AR180
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...bbirdcage4.jpg

Re: My latest AR build
 

Try a little heat with a propane torch? Pins are probably tapered and need to be punched out from left to right (viewed from the top). But, I am sure you know that...:wink:

Your latest AR build is AWESOME!
 

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...tguns/cav1.jpg

That is creativity in action, and one of the many reasons that I cherish the modularity of the AR-15.

So how much does it weigh?

Re: My latest AR build
 

As I said in my initial post it weighs 7 pounds-11ounces with optics and one magazine. With this one I think I have my AR needs covered....

Ya know tho...the 458 SOCOM looks very interesting....

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...VS458SOCOM.jpg

Re: My latest AR build
 

Noveske doesnt use tapered pins. I might have to try that propane torch. I havent really messed with it too much yet really. I was going to bring it to a guy that runs a gunshop near me, but apparently they are closed down until the middle of next month for the National Matches at Camp Perry, so I might give it another shot myself.

Since I havent really settled on a float tube or a flash hider yet, I am not in too much of a hurry. I am really having a hard time deciding whether to get one of those Noveske flaming pig KX3s or just putting a vortex on there or something.

Re: My latest AR build
 

I don't know of any companies selling uppers in that configuration, as far as I know they are all custom. Unlike most folks I prefer using the irons more than optics so rock solid irons are important to me. However some competitions (and real life applications) require speed over precision. 4 inch steel plates at 200 yards in a timed event are faster with a scope for example. Same for big targets up close where the illuminated reticule acts like a red dot sight.

It seems to be common everywhere for the optics to become the primary sighting system and the irons are treated like poor relatives. I am both old school and the anti-optimist, I know my optics will fail when I need them most and I want to know my irons are easily available and will be spot on when I need them. My dangerous game rifle doesn't even have a scope mount on it...lol. For fun guns like my 10/22s optics are fine as the main or only sights but on a working firearm I prefer irons.

btw...the "log" is just a cholla limb that hold a few of my folders that I EDC in rotation.

Re: My latest AR build
 

What's the advantage of the DPMS TiN bolt carrier group???

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/images/?id=326

Re: My latest AR build
 

The TiN BCG requires less lubrication, lowers the amount of wear on the upper, and (what I really like) wipes clean with a dry cloth.

Re: My latest AR build
 

They list for about 250.00 most places but occasionally you can find a deal on one...I paid 175.00 for that one on gunbroker...I was the only bidder. The way to get deals on gunbroker is to try to find auctions that are ending just before the end of the month when most people are low on funds...conversely if sell try to end your auction in the first week of the month. It does make a difference.