I have a Colt 6920 on layaway and will soon pick it up; however, I want to make some changes to make it more “practical” for home defense and competition. Here are the changes I am contemplating:
Repalce GI pistol grip with Tango Down Battle grip. I already got this part.
Replace GI stock with LMT SOPMOD stock. I like that it is smoother and has less angles than anything else out there.
Install Aimpoint Comp ML2 sight. I do need suggestions as to a good yet not too expensive mount for it would be.
Install MidWest Industries Front sight rail for mounting light.
Install tac light. I need help in this area. I have been offered a surefire 6p with strike bezel and contact tape for about $100.00 is thsi a good light and is this a good price? Also, what is a good mount for it?
Replace GI sling with Blueforcegear Vickers 2-point sling.
I want to keep this fairly simple. I do not wish to install a rail system on it and no forward pistol grip. Simple is beautiful to me. Is there any reason why I should go for the Comp M2 instead of the ML2? Please let me know what you think and any siggestions you may have. I want to get this rifle ready so I can start training this year. I am not an “operator” and my military training is very limited and was two years od ROTC 20 years ago so my days of performing ambushes and rushing machinegun nests are a distant memory. In other words I need more training.
I like the ML2 in the basic USGI Aimpoint Factory QRP mount… They work well and have a return to zero…
As to the light, I would look at picking up a used Surefire M500a light… They are replacement handguards with an attached weaponlight… Nothing simpler to use… No need to buy the MI adapter if you go this route…
Blue force and Viking Tacticts both make nice slings…
Get the DD Omega for your Colt, you may not hang stuff on the rail but you’re going to want a free floating system, eventually. The Omega is simple, light weight, free floating, and requires not mods to the rifle.
Unless you’re using night vision, there really isn’t a reason to go with the M2 over the ML2. You might also look at the C3 that is offered, it’s basically the ML3, but not rated for submersion past 15m, and it’s fairly affordable.
Mounts…I’d suck it up and go with the LaRue or ADM, they’re both quality mounts.
Light…honestly you can get away with a Surefire G2 and be done with it.
I really like the Troy back up rear, that’s what I have on my 6920, but there’s a lot of decent ones out there.
I think you’ll be fine. You just need some serious range time.
As to free floating the barrel…Not a chance, I do not need that. This is not going to be a precision gun. Nice but just not needed.
I do not use night vision so ML2 it is athough I will look into the C3.
G2? and what mount do I use for it?
I like the Troy BUIS, but there is somoethign about the MaTech, besides it’s what the army uses…for now at least. I still will probably get a troy one as well as money allows it.
Also, what ammo should I use. I tend to like M193 but there are better choices for defensive ammo. Frakly I think M193 is a better defensive round than the green-tip stuff out there but I need more input on this as well as my current defensive rifle is a semi-auto AK-103 in 7.62x39mm loaded Russian 8M3 Hollow points, so .223 is not something I know a lot about right now.
You are the right track for your rifle. As others have mentioned I would concur on the Larue mount for the Aimpoint.
As far as the rails. If you are only going to mount a light and are wanting to keep it simple I would recommend keeping the regular M4 handguards. Using a Tactical Illuminator Forearm Rail from GG&G I would attach a Surefire X300 at either the 1, 11 or 6 o’clock position on the handguard. The X300 would be compact yet serve your needs very well.
Other than that you are well on your way to a very reliable and capable rifle to serve your specified needs.
Take a look at the VLTOR Emod stock in lieu of the SOPMOD stock. It has t he same comfortable feel that the SOPMOD has but has some negative pitch in the butt stock that really seems to help lock the stock into the shouder. It also uses a thin rubber pad that further solidifies the stock to shoulder weld.
I’ve used the standard collapsible and the standard Modstock (which seems pretty similar to the SOPMOD) and I greatly prefer the feel provided by the Emod.
Be wise. Get a quality mount. Why spend $1,200 or more on a carbine and $400 or more on an optic and try to connect them with a POS mount? If I were to buy a new mount, I would try out the new ADM. I have two Larue aimpoint mounts and they work great.
As for the light, I would not spend $100 on that combo. Either get the G2 with led and VTAC mount (there is one for sale in the sales forum) or get an x300.
As for free floating the barrel, I am still not convinced BUT, I will look more into it.
As for the BUIS, like I said I like the Troy model, but I also like the simplicity of the MaTech. The fact that it is also used buy the army is also a plus, BUT not the only reason why I would chose it. I like the simplicity and especially the way you set the range on it, also it is really small and unobtrusive.
I thingk I will go with the larue scope mount, des anyone have the model number, i know they have a few?
Do not misunderstand my comment as to mean that just because the Army uses it I will put it on my rifle like some poser. I am fully aware that sometimes the Army does not use the best option out there and I am carefuly evaluating every option I have to improve my carbine. I am doing careful research and evaluating my needs rather than slapping every possible option out there. Once again I do thank you for your input.
Troy BUIS
Magpul CTR stock w/rubber buttpad
BOBRO ‘shorty’ VFG
Surefire G2 LED in an LT-606 mount
At first I didn’t want a railed handguard either until I discovered the Omega rail.I wanted to keep it simple and I believe I still acheived that goal with my additions.
Sounds good to me but I would also go with a G2L. Since you are gonna run the light on the FSB I would imagine youd want a tape switch. As for mounts I guess it depends on if you want to offset the light nearer to the boreline or not. The perviously mentioned VTAC mount is relatively cheap if that is aconcern for you. I have one on order to try out. Otherwise I’d probably go with either a Daniel Defense or VLTOR mount or even the Surefire M79 mount. Good luck, sounds like a nice setup.
BUIS: The Matech bites, just chop the carry handle, it’s a perfect BUIS. Mil guys (who were allowed to be adults…) were doing it for years before LMT or anyone else came out with one. FREE! Hock the Matech & put the $$ elsewhere
Rail attachment point for a light:
MI #03 $20
Light mount: Viking tactical $20
Surefire of your choice $40-90 G2, 6P, etc.
Where I would spend a little more:
-Get a Larue or other solid mount to put Aimpoint of your choice on BUIS in lower 1/3, C3 is gtg
-magazines, good new D&H, or Magpul
-rear sling point, reciever extension type mount
-VTAC, Vickers, whatever… 2 point sling
I still like the MaTech…it may be a disposable piece of junk but the price was right and I do like the sliding range settings. I am going to give it a try and we’ll see. i will however get a Troy BUIS as I do not wish to chop anything at this time.
G2 is going to be the light.
Larue mount for sure for the ML2
Brand new mags are coming…I’ve seen the magpul ones but D&H? What are those?
Vickers sling is definitely on the way as well.
You guys are great…I am really looking forward to getting this rifle done.
Perhaps I’m missing something here, but I do not see how it is possible to achieve a true “free-float” on an AR because the gas tube is still connected to the gas block. I thought that free floating was to allow the barrel to vibrate freely, resulting in enhanced accuracy? Doesn’t the gas system interrupt this, or is there another reason for it? Could someone please clarify this for me?
Sorry for the hi-jack, but I think it’s relevant to which type of hand guard the OP eventually chooses.
Correct an AR barrel will never be free floating like the one on a bolt-action rifle. For me the issue was more centered around the fact that I wanted to disconnect the handguard from the barrel, so that any stress put on the guard does not translate into a deflection of the barrel.
People in your situation need to worry far more about getting out and getting some training rather than how their rifle is set up.
You are doing your research and evaluating your needs. But quite frankly with your non level of training you don’t have much a clue what you really need.
Get one the other will follow. As in sign up for a class at a good quality training site and worry about all the details later.
And learn to shoot with your iron sights first. Most are too dependent on optics these days.
Sound advise indeed and i agree with you that once you train you will have a better idea of what you really need. Unfortunately for me I am in a situation where although I can afford the training, I find myself enslaved to my business and taking a weekend off is a very difficult proposition, not only because I i do not work I do not get paid but also by state regulations which dictate my hours of operation and since I have no help I can trust makes it difficult to leave the business to someone else while I go train. I will work to try to get some training this year, but in the mean time I must continue evaluating my needs online and through friends in law enforcement and miliitary.
As to optics I totally agree with you. I have been shooting for 30 years and have always shot with irons. I do not like optocs but want to experiment wit the aimpoint…we’ll see how this turns out.
