Here is my first ever from the ground up build. This will be used mainly for 3 gunning and carbine matches, but as with every single firearm I own, I expect them to do training courses just as well and other double duty if ever required, so I like to keep things grounded in the real world – no high speed race guns for me! Weight as is is just under 6.5lbs.
I do like that VLTOR logo on their gas blocks. Added bonus – I find that logo helps when lining up.
(The marks are not scratches, if you were wondering….just wipe off surface dust - didn’t even notice them till I took this pic and the flash brought them out! ) Think I did a reasonable staking job on the castle nut using hammer and 1/16 pin punch.
Note - The camera flash is making the color of the receiver and the Troy rail look a bit more mismatched than it is…in reality, it is hard to tell.
Here are the specs and costs – as you can see, nothing super special, but no skimping on anything either:
Part(s) Cost
Trx Extreme Rail 11" 150
Vltor lo pro Gas Block, Clamp 63
Rainier Select Barrel 1/8 16” Nitrided Finish 219
Gas Tube 8
YHM Upper with fwd asst and dustcover 90
YHM Lower 110
BCM BCG 139
(LWRC LPK
LWRC Mil Spec Buffer Tube
LWRC Index plate 195
LWRC Castle Nut
LWRC Charging Handle
LWRC Enhanced Trigger Guard)
Spikes STT2 Buffer 25
Tubbs CS Trigger/Hammer Springs 20
Sprinco ‘Blue’ Spring and extractor spring 20
ARMS 71 BUIS Fr/Rr 79
VTAC Lo Pro Sling Swivel 38
Magpul CTR stock 65
Battle Comp 150
Total: 1371
I think this came together really well – no problems at all. I did have to gradually work the barrel nut quite a few times to get it to align without overtorquing; but eventually got it where it needed to be at around 70 ft lbs. When I installed the barrel, I used blue loctite on the barrel extension (not the barrel nut threads, which of course get the moly grease) and the inside of the upper to bed the two together – I became convinced of the validity of this step when I once had an issue with my M&P15 stringing shots as the barrel heated up – the loctite in the extension put a stop to that and I think it is something I will always do as a matter of course from now on.
Took it out to the range a couple of days ago for a 500 round workout, with my usual ammo (Brown Bear and steel cased Hornady Training, both 55gr) – absolutely no functional problems whatsoever, including under repeated rapid fire. While there I also messed around with a bunch of different buffer/spring combos, from stock springs to extra power ones, and carbine to H3 buffers – it ran fine with everything, but seems best to me with a Sprinco standard “Blue” CS spring and a Spikes ST-T2 buffer – less than that it felt more snappy, more than that, it felt a bit lumpy, for want of better words. In any case, this midlength rifle shoots noticeably smoother than my 16” carbine.
Due to gusty weather and the fact my Trijicon scope is still in the shop, I couldn’t really do any meaningful testing for accuracy – but monopodding off the magazine with iron sights was able to keep an entire 30 round magazines worth of the TAP training ammo within a 5 inch group at 100m and consistently hit a 2’ square gong at 200m. I’ll do some proper accuracy testing at a later date, but I am hopeful it will be capable of some very good groups with decent ammo. I think Rainier Arms are onto a winner with these “Select” polygonal rifled barrels value wise; the nitride finish on the one I have is top notch (very Glock like), and should help longevity.
Some reasons why I chose some of the other parts –
ARMS polymer sights – good value, solid and uses a proper front sight post, unlike the Magpul ones. Once my scope comes back these will be backup sights in every sense of the word, so didn’t want to spend the money on Troys.
LWRC LPK – had heard good things about their stock trigger and wanted to give it go. It is indeed a very good quality stock trigger; best one I’ve tried in terms of no takeup, no grit and minimal creep. Streets ahead of the Spikes Battle Trigger I also have. The LWRC parts kit is expensive – but there is no denying the quality, a nice little touch is that every component is stamped with stamped with LWRC – a nice little touch.
VLTOR Clamp gas block – While clamp gas blocks get a lot of bad press around here, I feel they are a better option as a user install, if done properly, and I have no intention of personally drilling dimples in my barrel, or messing about sending things off to ADCO etc (which defeats my home built aim! ;)). I have also read several accounts from notable accuracy gurus who claim that set screw type gas blocks can deform the barrel and impact accuracy. While I doubt this would actually make a huge difference on a mainstream rifle, their expert opinion did influence this choice, given that this rifle is primarily going to be used in competition, I wanted to take that concern out of the equation.
Sprinco CS Buffer Spring – I am intrigued by the claim these last forever – we shall see! A side bonus is that they completely eliminate the “sproing” sound!
Tubbs CS Trigger/Hammer Springs – again, I like the last forever and remain consistent theory. Have to say, having two sets of these now, they do appear to crisp up the feel and consistency of any stock trigger (well, the 5 I have tried, at any rate). They don’t make the pull any lighter, but I personally would rather have slightly heavier and crisp vs. light and mushy feeling. The triggers I have these installed on break at an even 6lbs.
YHM Upper and Lower – Primarily got the lower because it is reasonably priced and has the slightly more flared type magwell similar to Daniel Defense ones. I simply got the upper to match. Side bonus is the logo is not garish. Have to say fit and finish on the pair is excellent, happy with my choice there.
VTAC Lo pro sling swivel – had it in my parts collection already; I also do prefer the sling loop to be a fraction higher than directly on the side, find it works well for that.
Battlecomp, BCM BCG, Magpul CTR Stock, MOE grip, Troy Extreme Rail – I think these need no explanation, being pretty much par for the course these days!
Thoroughly enjoyed 100% assembling this from individual parts….my EBR disease is in full swing now; don’t think I’ll ever buy a ready made factory gun again! Already planning my next SPR type build……watch this space!
Big thanks to those who contribute this site (and others); the quality of information available really is invaluable.
That’s all folks – comments queries questions and insults are all welcome!