Well, sort of. More of a change around of an existing new build.
It all started with a M16A2/A4 clone I put together a few months ago. 500 rounds later, I realized that while the classic gun was nice, it was too far away from the M4’s. It didn’t have the same feel, and I wanted to shoot the gun just as much as the carbines. I LOVED the soft shooting nature of the rifle gas, but there was too much of a difference in how it felt compared to the other guns.
The rifle began as a BCM 20" upper with standard handguards, A2 grip, A2 stock, and a carry handle. It shot great, but the A2 grip and handgaurds just didnt feel good in my hands at all. I then decided to make it more of a “modern” M16 clone by adding a few accessories.
So, it went from a carry handle to a DDA1.5. The grip and hangaurds were replaced by MOE items. Sure, this isn’t a drastic change. But I love the way the MOE hangaurd feels, and the MOE grip fits better in my hand. I’ve kept the A2 stock for now, but I may replace it sometime in the future with a VLTOR A5. I just havn’t decided if the ajustable pull is worth the $200, when I shoot fine with the A2 stock. Time will tell. The MOE will allow me to mount a light, which I will probably do in the future.
Bottom line is, I like this gun. It does exactly what I wanted out of it. It shoots soft, its very driveable, and it still retains some of that classic feel. I think that everyone should have at least one 20" in their safe. I’m one of the ones who believe that “Stoner got it right” with the rifle gas and longer barrel. Sure, its just a range/practice gun, and not one of my HD carbines, but its a joy to shoot. I shot 100 rounds of Wolf through this afternoon. Though the BCG was right on the verge of short stroking, the utter softness it possesed was great. There was virtually no noticeable muzzle rise, and I wasn’t even trying to control recoil. True 5.56 causes mildly more recoil.
List:
BCM 20" Govt. Upper
Daniel Defense BCG
DD A1.5 rear sight
Del Ton A2 stock assembly
MOE grip and handgaurds
DD LPK
Tactical Innovations lower
I’m a big fan of A2 stocks as well. My collapsible stocked carbines are always in the fully extended position. The only time the A2 is really a disadvantage is when transitioning to the support side shoulder. It’s just a little long and tends to get caught up. But, really, how often are you doing transitions with that particular rifle of yours? I say leave it.
Probably never. I will probably leave it for now. While I do like having my face a little closer to the rear sight and charging handle, its not a necessity.
I’m into the 20" guns for training, plinking, and as long as you aren’t clearing rooms, they’re a fine general purpose system. They look right, feel right, and they’re very soft. I wish Magpul would make rifle-length MOE buttstock. That’d be cool!
Yeah, this is just a trainer/pinker/back up gun, not a room clearer. I’m drawn to these 20" guns for their better sight radius, softer shooting, and their classicness.
I was thinking just the other day that given the waning interest in 18’ SPR that the 20” AR was dead. Good to see some people still build them. I have no practical defensive use for them but I own a NM A2 and I’m about to put together an A1 kit with an original colt pencil barrel. Your simple and elegant gun makes me want to do something similar with those A2 FN barrels that Palmetto has for sale.
If you train with a 20", I’d assume it improves your weapon handling because it weighs more, and the weight is further out. That’s just a guess, but it makes sense in my head.
Great looking rifle there. Ive been getting the urge to do something similar. A simple ironsights 20" build but keep as light as possible. My rifle is going to look similar except Im using an A1 stock(fits me better) spare LMT rear sight and muzzle brake to make it recoil like a .22(or as close as possible). Im definitely going with the Magpul handguards. Cheap, but funtional and effective for possible light mount. Stoner knew what he was doing when he did 20" barrel rifle length gas and .093" gas port.
I really like your current set-up. With so many people going in the direction of SBRs and PDWs it’s nice to see someone going the other way and adding a modern twist. Looks good.
Looks really good. I can’t do a fixed stock because my fiance is too small and when she shoots my AR the stock has to be fully collapsed for her to be comfortable.
