I really appreciate the knowledge I have gained from the threads on this forum. I just finished up my 3rd AR project, and figured I would see what you think.
My first was a Bushmaster, which was purchased before I really knew much about AR’s. I corrected all that I could on it, but ended up selling it to buy…
My second, which is a BCM upper and lower, and more in the recce style. I like it, and have shot it quite a bit, though mostly from a bench or at a firing line. It is just a little heavy. I wanted something a little handier, which brings me to…
My third. This is a Spikes lower, a BCM 14.5" M4 upper, with an AAC brakeout pinned by ADCO. I used Magpul furniture all around, with a 1.5x power ACOG. I really like the little ACOG, as it has a lot of eye relief, but still some magnification, which comes in handy.
Let me hear any feedback you may have. Things you like, things you would change, etc.
Here is my other:
P.S. I fully expect to catch hell about the Spike’s lower, KNS pins, and bipod. I’m not sure why bipods aren’t in favor here, but I really enjoy shooting off the bench with one.
I went with the carbine system for a couple reasons. First, the other rifle is a mid-length system, so I already had one of those. Second, I liked the idea of closely mimicing the M4 rifle with a 14.5" barrel and carbine length gas system.
I didn’t really want to go through the SBR process, so I went with the pinned 14.5". I know it limits my configuration options going forward, but I figured the standard M4 set up, with that barrel length, carbine gas system, and barrel profile probably isn’t one that will fall out of favor any time soon.
On the ACOG, the front sight base is visible, but it doesn’t interfere. Obviously, it doesn’t co-witness, and I would say the sight post is only visible in the lower 1/3 of the FOV. And even then, if you are focused on the target, it is only a ghost image. It doesn’t obscure the target, and is not really noticable unless you are looking for it.
very nice set up! how do you like the breakout? i have an m42000 also an wanted to do the same setup, i like the break definitely helped recoil control but too small for a 14.5. im tossing around mid or carbine with the pinned breakout.
To be honest, since putting this rifle together, I have only fired a few shots unsuppressed, so I can’t really give a great review on the Breakout by itself.
You know how it goes, when you have suppressor, you want to use it all the time (at least I do). I was more interested in having the Breakout to help with baffle erosion. I know this is probably not a concern on the barrel lengths I am using, but it makes me feel better.
Both guns look to be quality builds to me. The KNS pins are just a bit of a solution looking for a problem, and I certainly don’t have a problem with bipods on Recce type builds. I have a BCM upper sitting on a Spike’s lower and have never had an issue with the lower.
What shortcomings did you discover about your existing rifles that you wanted to address with the new one? How did you go about selecting the parts for the new one base on that? What is your intended application for this and your others, and how does this fill a hole in your collection?
Wow, that is a lot to digest, but I know relevant questions to be asking, and a good exercise for me to consider.
The idea when I started this build was to put together something, lighter, less bulky, and “simpler” than my recce build. I love my recce build, but with the bipod, long rail, suppressor, and NF scope, it is pretty heavy, and mostly gets relegated to bench shooting. I enjoy using it that way, and it performs well.
However, I live out in the country, so it isn’t uncommon for me to want to grab a rifle quickly to be used for dispatching snakes, nutria, and other critters. I wanted something a little more manuverable and light weight.
I was kind of going for a KISS build, but it didn’t turn out too simple, I guess. The shorter length, lack of a rail, and relatively lightweight optic and mount do a lot to accoplish my goal. I have since removed the VFG, as I found I just prefer the basic MOE handguard.
