The Colt M4 came in today - pix finally -

[ParabellumJ]

The Colt M4 came in today - pix finally -

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.

Unless you are shooting full auto or suppressed there is really no need for a piston system. The rifle was designed to be direct impingement and functions just fine with this gas system.

[CJB]

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?

Its easier to take an existing receiver and "manufacture" your own SBR or SBS, rather than buy a SBR or SBS already made. Different forms, slightly different process, and different ATF internal workngs (I've been told).

Down side is you need to engrave the receiver, frame or barrel with your name and city/state as a "manufacturer". Up side, you get to enjoy the AR pistol until the form is returned with a stamp. Then you can get a buttstock and slide it onto your lower and you're good to go.

Once you SBR the receiver, you can go from SBR to standard rifle, no issues at all. Back and forth at will is ok with ATF. You can convert it to standard again, and leave it that way and not tell ATF, and even sell it as standard without telling them. If it started as a pistol you can go pistol to SBR to std rifle and back at will... zero restrictions. If you ever want to sell, it may be better to engrave the upper or barrel rather than lower.... depends on personal preference.

Clearer?

[CJB]

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.

AR issues started with the wrong powder being used after the rifle was in production, and with high humidity (rain) in the SE Asia theater. This is well documented, and even documented in DOD armorers manuals from the earlymid 1960's. Scary to tink the AR platform, is 56 years old! HoooLeeee Crapp!

The rifle was designed with the bolt being the piston. It works that way IF you feed it the right ammo. Personally, I used H335 in my AR reloads, and have no powder related failures. I get a few case releated failures.... due to reloading random range brass. Necks and such being out of spec. That sort of thing.

Adding the piston above the barrel puts stress on the upper and puts stress on the buffer tube. The rifle wasn't designed for that sort of operation. Its not a FAL or AK. The FAL btw had major problems with Cordite in foul weather.... and the Brits and Canadians modded their bolts to help with the issue.

Using the RIGHT spherical (ball powder) is ok in the AR. IMR type extruded powders work better if you're varying the loads. To me, the best ball powder is the H335 loaded close to max, which insures a good burn and few residual grains.

Carbon build up ... from gas and soot... is not much of a problem with the right powder and load. I've personally had well over 2500 rounds through my old AR in one rainy weekend, with no failures at all. Thats a butt load of magazines full of ammo! Fortunately I had a lady friend along to load the mags!

[TheTman]

I'd read that the using the wrong type of gunpowder can cause more fouling of the bolt area, than using the type of powder the rifle was designed for. Thanks for all the info!

[CJB]

Forgot to mention, the AR is not a transmission. I does not need to be lubricated like a transmission. Over lube, wrong lube, will foul things too.

Problemo numero uno: Unburnt powder and particles stick to the lube and make mud of it.

Problemo numero dos: The hot gas can literally fry the lube and mud into hard carbon deposits.

I am still hearing reports of range instructors, in basic training, carrying spray bottles of CLP to keep rifles working on the line. Total nonesense to me.... but they do what they gotta, even though it makes the problem worse.

And, also fwiw, my own FAL was hell on its gas system up front, and it would quickly carbon up, say 500 rounds or so... and you'd have to sit and scrub. The AK seemed to be invincible. SKS is damn near invincible too.

[ParabellumJ]

The Colt M4 came in today - pix finally -

who makes a decent quality lower

There are so many companies that make good lowers it's not possible to list. As long as their quality is consistent and the receivers are within specs you are good to go.

Del-Ton has been known to put out some receivers out of specs, so I hope you get a good one. They are on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to rifles, but since it's a stripped receiver it should be ok to use as long as it's within spec.

Personally I just finished building a Spikes Tactical lower. I wasn't planning on building a rifle but the deals over Black Friday were so good I couldn't pass it up. It came out great. After the chaos and bills of the holidays are over I will start looking for an upper.

Let us know how that Del-Ton works out.

[TheTman]

Well, I don't see any big inheritance or anything coming my way, so I guess I'll just stick to the 7.62 x 39 world for now. Not sure what I'd use an AR for anyway other than personal defense, and I have that covered. I think it's just one of those things that they are trying so hard to ban them that I want one. Plus in a SHTF situation, .223 will probably be a lot easier to scavenge then 7.62 x 39.
I'd really rather have an FN-FAL, or M1A, or HK G3 in 7.62x51.

[CJB]

There are so many companies that make good lowers it's not possible to list. As long as their quality is consistent and the receivers are within specs you are good to go.

Del-Ton has been known to put out some receivers out of specs, so I hope you get a good one. They are on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to rifles, but since it's a stripped receiver it should be ok to use as long as it's within spec.

Personally I just finished building a Spikes Tactical lower. I wasn't planning on building a rifle but the deals over Black Friday were so good I couldn't pass it up. It came out great. After the chaos and bills of the holidays are over I will start looking for an upper.

Let us know how that Del-Ton works out.

Thanks Parabellum. I did some checking before ordering. I was able to come across one problem on the lowers, which was a guy who had a mis-machined top deck that caused his upper to cant to the left. Del-Ton replaced it, and the replacement was good. Most folks are saying they have one, or more, and that they're good. The uppers get less favorable reviews, something to do with the inner lubricant. That whole inner lube layer baffles me because with some use and cleaning... its got to wear rapidly. Maybe I'm clueless on that.

Del-Ton did have a huge issue with bolts. Improper heat treatment, which btw, does not show up in a magniflux test. Some folks say MP is for magnetic particle test, others say its for Magnetic/Proof (or pressure) tested. I don't know which it is, but Del-Ton had a run of bolts that failed, some quite severely. Aparantly they made good on all claims because you hear folks complaining about the failures, but nobody says "and I got screwed because they wouldn't honor a claim". There are a few internet stories of them replacing uppers and lowers with complete new rifles, and reimbursing owners of more high end lowers that were damaged when the bolt and uppers failed.

And, the Del-Ton was available, and priced ok, so thats what I got.

Time will tell. Shipping backlog. Email said expect delivery by Dec 23rd.

[ParabellumJ]

The Colt M4 came in today - pix finally -

And, the Del-Ton was available, and priced ok, so thats what I got.



Time will tell. Shipping backlog. Email said expect delivery by Dec 23rd.

Good to hear their problems seem to be isolated. Too bad about the backlog. I got my Spikes lower on Black Friday from Aim Surplus for $89, free shipping. I had it in a week. They were still in stock as of last night for the same price.

On a side note, I know you replaced your trigger in your colt and that got me to evaluate mine. It wasn't too bad, but I was ordering a Spikes nickel boron battle trigger for the new lower so I decided to upgrade the trigger in the Colt while I was at it. Neither of these guns are target rifles so I wanted to stay with a mil spec trigger, just something smoother. I went with an ALG QMS (quality mil spec) which is actually pretty good. It's basically Colt parts honed and tuned by Geissele Automatics. Pull is about 6 lbs in both the QMS and Spikes battle trigger, but the QMS seems a little crisper. They are both leaps and bounds better than the stock Colt bang switch.

[CJB]

The SSA-E feels about like a pull on a quality bolt action rifle from the factory. Imagine a stock Ruger 77 or Remington 700 that is not too heavy, but clean with just ever so little amount of creep. Its not target either. I do like the two stage release.... its my preference, I guess since I'm used to M1 and M14 triggers, and the Mini 14 too.

[les strat]

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.

Not an expert here, but for the average person, gas piston in not needed, just run it a little wet with CLP. Just don't run it dry. Trust me, the AR will run better wet and dirty than dry and dirty. Hickok45 has a great video on lubing an AR.

Yes the piston is more expensive and heavier.