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UpTheIrons wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:Yeah, I wanted to keep the standard FSB, so I found a handguard made for a mid-length gas system. Larue makes a 9" version of the handguard you linked, which should allow you go keep the FSB as it is and use the free-float:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LaRue-Ta ... lt15-9.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for that link. LaRue is at the top of the list since they're 'local' and make such high quality stuff. I really like the smooth DD tube, though, but I still haven't seen one short enough to keep the FSB.

Of course, I really haven't looked too much yet. I wanted to get the rifle in hand and run a few hundred rounds through it before I started seriously thinking about what to swap out. I just don't think I want to weigh it down with ounces and ounces of gadgets and rail covers.

The one I put on mine has a full-length top rail and a quad rail at the front, but with a smooth handhold back half. It's available from RRA, but I wouldn't call it "light". It's unfortunate that DD doesn't make a 9" version of that one you wanted, because that would make a lightweight relative equivalent of what RRA makes. For me, the weight was OK, because I built my AR to be more solid and stable and that handguard fit my needs.

http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuse ... ory_id=430" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yeah, I wanted to keep the standard FSB, so I found a handguard made for a mid-length gas system. Larue makes a 9" version of the handguard you linked, which should allow you go keep the FSB as it is and use the free-float:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LaRue-Ta ... lt15-9.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

UpTheIrons wrote:NcongruNt,

It's not an HBAR, but it was listed as "government profile" when I ordered it. I see they've got a Magpul MBUS option now, mine came with a Samson BUIS.

As far as free-float tubes, I'm looking right now at Daniel Defense
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-D ... -09079.htm

or LaRue Tactical
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LaRue-Ta ... t15-12.htm

But I'm not sure if I'm ready to change the FSB yet. I think just about the only option for scope mounting is LaRue's
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LaRue-Ta ... 20inch.htm

UpTheIrons wrote:FINALLY!

After waiting for what seems like forever, my Spike's Tactical ST-15 Mid-Length Carbine finally showed up yesterday. For the time being, the only planned mods are a free-float handguard and a Magpul MOE grip. The only problem is that it'll be likely 2 weeks before I can get away to shoot it, and my wife has already claimed it as "hers"!

I've included my much-loved Kimber Custom II (which will get a GI guide rod very soon) and my son's (but mine-until-he's-18) Browning Buckmark (which may get a Tactical Solutions threaded barrel in the future) to round out the plurality of black guns.

Is that a heavy barrel? Looks a lot like mine, aside from the handguard and rear sight. Which free-float are you going with?

rm9792 wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:Just a quick update from my last post...

I moved my red dot back 3 notches on the rail and got a photo with the OKC M9 bayonet mounted.

Sorry for the somewhat odd wide angle perspective on the photo. There's no room in the kitchen (the countertop is really the only place to get decent photos of rifles at the house) to move the camera back any further, so I was shooting this at 18mm.

I have been told by a pro photographer that he uses the bath tub for small items like guns. The surrounding of shiny white surface bounces light real well. I havent tried it yet,

I've got studio lights and all with plans to get a muslin or something for a seamless white backdrop on the dining room table. That will solve the problem, it's just that we've got loads of boxes taking up all that space at the moment. We're going through all our stuff to donate/trash what we don't need, so space for studio shots is at a premium right now.

Just a quick update from my last post...

I moved my red dot back 3 notches on the rail and got a photo with the OKC M9 bayonet mounted.

Sorry for the somewhat odd wide angle perspective on the photo. There's no room in the kitchen (the countertop is really the only place to get decent photos of rifles at the house) to move the camera back any further, so I was shooting this at 18mm.

kalipsocs wrote:

jcarp02 wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:Your Eotech seems to be mounted a bit far forward on the rail, unless you've got a quick-detach magnifier that normally goes on behind there.

I just kind of put it on there. I haven't even had a chance to get it sighted in or anything. Wasn't really sure where to put it. My plan was to get folding iron sights first and get the Eotech later, but came across a good deal on this one. But I mounted it a little more forward because I do plan on putting the folding sights on it and figured I would need a little room. I looked at some pictures on another forum for similar setups, and tried to put it around where they had it. How far back should I move it?

I don't want to double post mine but its around page 24 or 25 for an example. I have (since the picture) put folding sights on it and it only took up about 2 slots worth of real estate on the rail. Mine has the T marks, and mine is at T7 with no magnifier. If you aren't using a magnifier then I would have the eotech and the rear BUS relatively close....just seems to work better with the cowitness but then again mine is a different setup than yours and I am not exactly an expert. If you do get a magnifier then you will just have to adjust to get it all to fit as close as possible. Hope that helps.

Page 22. You can get to it directly using this link:

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=14417&start=315#p400249" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then I looked at my rifle and realized I've done the same thing, and I'm not sure why. I went and remounted it 3 slots back from where it was, and certainly gives me a better sight picture than the way it was before. I'll have to go and take new photos now, as the position of the optics in my last post doesn't look right to me anymore:

Your Eotech seems to be mounted a bit far forward on the rail, unless you've got a quick-detach magnifier that normally goes on behind there.

As an update, I just put a Nikon Monarch VSD red dot optic on my AR and took it out for a spin this past weekend. I am quite happy with its performance and features. Some updated photos:

NcongruNt wrote:I just finished my AR build, and as promised, I have photos!

I built it from individual parts beginning in August. I started out with a stripped lower from CMMG. All other parts are from Rock River Arms, with the exception of the Matech rear sight, ordered from Botach Tactical.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:I'm new to the AR iron sights, so I think some practice will get me more consistent as well.

You can get front sight posts with tritium inserts that will give you both the contrast you're seeking, and a better low-light sight picture.

But ultimately, you might want to consider getting yourself some kind of holographic red dot sight. I have an EoTech with a magnifier on mine and like it very much, but there are other good manufacturers out there, and you might be happier with something else. To each his own. In any case, you will see your accuracy go way up with a decent red dot sight. I zeroed my carbine at 25 yards, and with the EoTech, I can put 50 rounds into a quarter sized hole at that distance.

I have a Nikon Monarch VSD in my plans for a Red Dot. I'ts not an Aimpoint, but it has the nice feature of variable dot size from 1-10MOA, which no one else does. It also costs considerably less than an Aimpoint or Eotech. My wife works for a photo shop, meaning I can get it at the "partner" price, which is a good chunk under $200. It will require a 1/2" riser to cowitness with the irons, but those can be had relatively inexpensively. If money were no object, I'd have an ACOG on the rifle, but that's not an option for me right now financially speaking.

http://www.nikonhunting.com/products/ri ... t_VSD/8430" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My current goal is to get consistent with the iron sights. I've never had optics, and consider it a required fundamental skill to be good with iron sights with any gun I own.

The tritium sights are something to consider, though all the ones I've found online come with an entire assembly, and are upwards of $85 or so. Everyone seems to want you to buy an entire "system", when all I want is a front post. I think I'm going to go with painting the tip of the front sight first, and see if that gets my consistency better.

longhorn_92 wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:I just finished my AR build, and as promised, I have photos!

I built it from individual parts beginning in August. I started out with a stripped lower from CMMG. All other parts are from Rock River Arms, with the exception of the Matech rear sight, ordered from Botach Tactical.

I built mine from Rock River Arms as well. How do you like the Matech rear sight?

How about a range report on your AR?

I have a preliminary one up on my blog, from my zeroing session:

http://therealnecessities.blogspot.com/ ... eport.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Matech works fine for me. I am glad I didn't spend the money on a standard dual aperture rear sight, because I can't imagine what I'd do with a larger aperture. My biggest issue is that a black front sight on black targets makes for poor grouping. I'm considering tipping my front post with neon green or something to help with this. I'm new to the AR iron sights, so I think some practice will get me more consistent as well.

I just finished my AR build, and as promised, I have photos!

I built it from individual parts beginning in August. I started out with a stripped lower from CMMG. All other parts are from Rock River Arms, with the exception of the Matech rear sight, ordered from Botach Tactical.

lawrnk wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:

lawrnk wrote:...it's like grabbing the rear end of a porcupine...

And exactly how do we know what that feels like?

Ok, ok, a prickly pear? Almost wish I did the 2" underside rail, mounted on some non tapered standard handguards.

I'm nearing completion of my build and had the same reservations. I wanted a quad rail so I could easily hang a light or whatever else on there and top rail for optical options, but i didn't want to have to hold sharp picatinny rail corners. So I ordered one of these:



It seems you have a carbine-length gas system, which limits your options. There's about anything you could think of as an option for the AR, so you can probably find what you're looking for. You also have the option of a vertical foregrip that can mount to your existing rail, something to consider.

So I've finally got something in the "Evil Black Gun" configuration.

Remington 870 Express Synthetic 7-Round, fitted with a Knoxx SpecOps stock, Knoxx PowerPak System cheek piece/shell holder, and Vero Vellini sling.

Tajovo wrote:

That appears to be the same Remington 870 18" Synthetic Stock 7-round (6+1) shotgun that I recently purchased. I've been more than satisfied with mine. Great gun, points naturally, and shoots well. I outfitted mine with a nice sling and stock bandoleer. Got her loaded up with Winchester Supreme 3" Magnum 00 Buck + 5 in the Bandoleer for quick reload access. That ammo has some KICK, I tell you what!

The only black gun I own is my FM Hi-Power.



However, my plans do include acquiring a Dragunov SVD like the one pictured below. As soon as I get enough in savings to justify spending 2 grand on a rifle, this is at the top of my list.



(edited to update linked image)