Well, I finally did it...

[Fang]

Miso-Beno and Clinotus are evil, evil men who know my weakness (guns) and have capitalized on it to the point that I finally succumbed to inevitability and, whimpering and dragging my feet, sullenly sulked over to the dark side.

http://how-i-did-it.org/img/ar-suck/tn_side.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/ar-suck/side.jpg)

This is a Rock River Arms 1:7 chrome-lined lightweight upper with matched BCG. The lower is by Aero Precision (I think Miso may have mentioned them once or twice), with a DPMS parts kit. Although the parts kit quality was generally decent, the sides of the trigger needed to be stoned down a bit to get it to reset properly--it was binding on the lower up to that point.

http://how-i-did-it.org/img/ar-suck/tn_buttstock_left.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/ar-suck/buttstock_left.jpg)

The buttstock is a no-name CAR stock. I like CAR stocks for their minimalism and lightness. The cheekweld seems fine to me. Of course, not everyone can muster enthusiasm when it comes to CAR stocks:

http://how-i-did-it.org/img/ar-suck/tn_stock_floppy.jpg (http://how-i-did-it.org/img/ar-suck/stock_floppy.jpg)

Other than that, the only part of note is the Daniel Defense fixed rear sight, which is pretty nice. It takes some cranking to get it on there, but once in place it's quite solid. It's also quite light, which is part of the reason that this carbine's total weight with unloaded mag is less than six pounds. In fact, if you're careful, you can pick it up by the trigger without making the hammer drop.

To answer the likely questions, the reason I chose these parts was to maximize the platform's inherent strengths of compact lightness while not going overboard on expensive parts to shave a few ounces off here and there. I haven't had a chance to go to the range yet (darn cowboy action shooters!), so it remains to be seen if it will shoot as nicely as it handles.

[Clinotus]

Looks like a good, lightweight practical build....but what I'm really saying is:

Welcome home!

[Miso Beno]

It's about freaking time.

[Al Thompson]

Slip 2000 is your friend... I have the twin of your rifle in my safe. 3 yards to 300, it's a keeper. Oh, PMC is shooting about the best for me these days.

[Miso Beno]

Slip 2000 is your friend... I have the twin of your rifle in my safe. 3 yards to 300, it's a keeper. Oh, PMC is shooting about the best for me these days.

My mouth isn't going to win me any sponsorships but Slip2000 is pansy crap compared to the every so expensive AMSOIL DEXRON VI. Seriously. Automatic Transmission fluid kicks the crap out of any gun oil as both a cleaner and a lube, just wear gloves because in the State of California the stuff might cause cancer.

[Al Thompson]

LOL, there's a huge debate about this over at THR.org. I like the Slip as it has low toxicity. For other rifles and some hand guns, the Tetra line of products is very slick. However (IMHO), the AR tends to eject more atomized lube than other designs. So I like the Slip in that application. It doesn't hurt that Pat Rogers is using Slip to run his ARs that never get cleaned. One of them is at 34k, no cleaning, no problems.

I'll strongly agree that the exact lube is probably much less important than simply keeping your firearm properly lubed. :grin:

[Miso Beno]

LOL, there's a huge debate about this over at THR.org. I like the Slip as it has low toxicity. For other rifles and some hand guns, the Tetra line of products is very slick. However (IMHO), the AR tends to eject more atomized lube than other designs. So I like the Slip in that application. It doesn't hurt that Pat Rogers is using Slip to run his ARs that never get cleaned. One of them is at 34k, no cleaning, no problems.

I'll strongly agree that the exact lube is probably much less important than simply keeping your firearm properly lubed. :grin:

Pfff, ATF is cheap and if you don't drink it it wont kill you.

[Miso Beno]

LOL, there's a huge debate about this over at THR.org. I like the Slip as it has low toxicity. For other rifles and some hand guns, the Tetra line of products is very slick. However (IMHO), the AR tends to eject more atomized lube than other designs. So I like the Slip in that application. It doesn't hurt that Pat Rogers is using Slip to run his ARs that never get cleaned. One of them is at 34k, no cleaning, no problems.

I'll strongly agree that the exact lube is probably much less important than simply keeping your firearm properly lubed. :grin:

Pfff, ATF is cheap and if you don't drink it it wont kill you.

[Fang]

I just used some 10W-30 synthetic. I figured since ARs like their lube, I might as well use something that's inexpensive and of which I have plenty.

To put any lingering doubts about AR reliability to rest, I'm shooting this rifle without cleaning or adding lubrication until it jams or I can't stand not to clean it any more. (Intentionally leaving a gun dirty burns.) Thus far I've gone 320 rounds without a hiccup--and this is without a cleaning out of the package--although I did patch the barrel and add some oil to the bone-dry upper receiver before shooting.

[Clinotus]

Updates since you've turned to the dark side?

[Miso Beno]

Updates since you've turned to the dark side?

Well it self destructed and he was so shamed by it that he has refused to return to the Internet.

[Clinotus]

Well it self destructed and he was so shamed by it that he has refused to return to the Internet.

I bet he went he went full tilt tactical with it and can't show his face around here due to the shoe polish under his eyes and lacking usb port on his ghillie suit. Or the shame that the AR platform was just that good despite him fighting it for years...

[Miso Beno]

Or his mini-14 got jealous and went on a rampage.

[Fang]

Updates since you've turned to the dark side?

I've started eating puppies and feeding orphans into wood chippers. Actually, I have several observations:

Having the reciprocating mass in-line with the barrel and stock does a lot to minimize recoil. When shooting with a proper stance, the sights just twitch a little. I can see how someone with Christ Costa-grade forearm attachments would experience no muzzle movement.

I like the fixed stock more than the collapsible stock. Admittedly, the CAR stock I was using was pretty cheesy, but the rifle stock feels far more integrated and solid. Plus, the heavier rifle buffer and lighter spring reduce felt recoil even further and make working the charging handle easier. The fixed stock is heavier than the CAR stock and takes the rifle to about 7 pounds in weight, but the felt increase is less because now it balances better.

Sorry, AR fans, but FAL controls are better. ARs require you to break cheekweld to cycle the bolt, make a separate movement to release the bolt after inserting a mag, and shift hand position to put the safety back on. Also, locking back the bolt is very awkward. That being said, the controls aren't horrible--just not the penultimate perfection of ergonomics that some would make them out to be.

People who complain about cleaning ARs are clearly of the "weakly slide a cloth over the bolt while whining" school of gun-cleaning. They get pretty filthy inside, but my standard cleaning routine is meticulous enough that ARs produce only a minor increase in the amount of effort required to get them sufficiently clean. There's actually one advantage to shitting where they eat: Any gas gun will deposit carbon fouling in its gas system, but at least ARs put the fouling in an easy-to-reach place that you're going to be cleaning anyway. Oh yeah, almost forgot: I went 500 rounds without cleaning or lube before I got tired of shooting a dirty gun. No issues.

Edit: You all suck.

[Miso Beno]

Hes gone mad with power.