The Colt M4 came in today - pix finally -

[CJB]

I was surfing the different shops... and there was a cyber-Monday sale at PSA.

They had the Geissele SSA-E and a complete lower parts kit, minus buffer tube and stock, for the normal price of the SSA-E

I bit the bullet. This fits well with my plan to build an AR pistol in .223. I can transplant the Colt trig into whatever receiver I get... use the rest of the parts. I've already got the tools and vice to hold AR uppers and lowers and have done total strip and reassemble to every last little pin and spring and clip, so we'll get started on the lower..... in the spring.

And in the meantime I've got an SSA-E for the M4.

PSA say's it should be in my hands by Thursday or Friday. Might be a good weekend!

[The Faux King]

Congrats! That's a pretty good deal -- currently saving my parts from my Colt to build a frankenAR as well, but think I will go with a mid length instead of the pistol.

[yqtszhj]

Don't mind the cat hair....

Of particular note to me - the way they attach the flash hider. Used to be there was a shim washer. Now it looks like a crush washer. I guess thats for alignment with the newer type of flash hiders that don't kick up as much.

So far so good, but the trigger's got to go..... I'd be hard pressed to hit a #2 washtub at 50 yards with that trigger. Rave reviews of the Geissele make me think thats the way to go. They've totally redesigned the FC parts to be like a little cousin of the M14 (more or less) which seems like a better way to go. They're also a third of the price of a new rifle... so it wont be too soon.

That's funny. I saw that cat hair too. Nice rig you have there. I'm interested to hear how it shoots.

[CJB]

I've dry fired it with the receiver open, catching the hammer with my thumb...500 times counting, and maybe 50 or 60 more times not counting. The AR trigger is ... what it is I guess.

Its gritty, its angles of the engaging surfaces are intended to create a margin of mechanical and operational safety, and I really wonder how some US Marine can qualify at long ranges with one, on a man sized target. But they do. And I'm not a Marine. I'll use the 2 stage .. I like 2 stage triggers. Doesn't have to be light, but has to have a clean break and smoothness.

[ParabellumJ]

The Colt M4 came in today - pix finally -

Nice find with the PSA deal. I just decided to put together an AR build myself. It was hard to pass up some of the deals this weekend. Locally I found a LWRC stripped lower at a steal, quickly sold it for almost double and used the funds on a stripped Spikes lower, CMMG LPK, and other bits for the lower build.

[CJB]

who makes a decent quality lower

[les strat]

Congrats on a great rifle! I love my LE6920MOE-FDE

[CJB]

I prefer a naked rifle... no desire for the add-ons... but its pretty to look at!

Ended up getting a DTI lower......

The stripped lower and 10.5" Noveske top are inbound as we speak. The Noveske was not my first choice but there are few 10.5" lowers of decent quality ready to ship, and I had a big discount card to cash in on.... so.... it ended up being about the same dollars as a low end 10.5" lower, even when I added a rear sight to the order.

Once its here..... ATF Form 1 for SBR manufacture, and enjoy the AR pistol in the meantime while Uncle Sam muddles thru the tax stamp.

[certified106]

Les Strat, Nice looking rifle

[les strat]

I prefer a naked rifle... no desire for the add-ons... but its pretty to look at!

Ended up getting a DTI lower......

The stripped lower and 10.5" Noveske top are inbound as we speak. The Noveske was not my first choice but there are few 10.5" lowers of decent quality ready to ship, and I had a big discount card to cash in on.... so.... it ended up being about the same dollars as a low end 10.5" lower, even when I added a rear sight to the order.

Once its here..... ATF Form 1 for SBR manufacture, and enjoy the AR pistol in the meantime while Uncle Sam muddles thru the tax stamp.

I would love to build and SBR. Noveski is good stuff.

Les Strat, Nice looking rifle

Thank you. It's actually light even with the Eotech and light. I like the Magpul handuards. Keeps it light.

[CJB]

Is Noveske good? They use OTS components.... Bravo uppers, etc etc. I think their only claim is their barrels. Dunno for sure. I only got it because it was available and I had the eCoupon that needed to be used before it expired.

My FFL tells me Form 1 SBR and SBS is faster and less hassle than buying the same with Form 4. Thete are also legal advantages with a Form 1 stamp.....ie.. ypu can go from SBR to standard as you please, and can sell the lower as std with no extra paperwork....as long as the upper isnt with it.

[les strat]

Yes, Noveske is considered top-tier, even above Colt, which is the gold standard. The arfcom gang worship Noveske rifles, so I am sure their parts are good stuff.

[TheTman]

Question for the AR experts out there. Would you go with a gas piston, so that it doesn't dump hot gas and particles into the bolt area, or just stick with the standard gas tube arrangement? I think the piston (like on an AK) makes more sense than having all that crap (gas residue, unburned powder) dumped into the bolt area. I think the direct gas system clogging up the bolt is responsible for many of the failures during battle, when soldiers didn't have time to clean the bolt during a firefight. That's just my guess. I think the piston system rifles are more expensive, but maybe it's worth it to not have to clean the bolt area so often. Thanks for any replies.

[muggsy]

Unless you are into long sessions of rapid fire the standard gas system is just fine. Both systems have their pluses and minuses. I prefer the SOCOM version as they are a little more accurate than the standard M-4.

[Bawanna]

Is Noveske good? They use OTS components.... Bravo uppers, etc etc. I think their only claim is their barrels. Dunno for sure. I only got it because it was available and I had the eCoupon that needed to be used before it expired.

My FFL tells me Form 1 SBR and SBS is faster and less hassle than buying the same with Form 4. Thete are also legal advantages with a Form 1 stamp.....ie.. ypu can go from SBR to standard as you please, and can sell the lower as std with no extra paperwork....as long as the upper isnt with it.

What does this mean exactly, it's easier to get a pistol and then license it as a SBR rather than get a rifle and get the tax stamp to put a short barrel?