60 Round Magazine

Picked this up today.

Gun Gadgets

A couple of recommendations for my fellow AR-15 owners.

• The C.A.T. M-4 Tool makes it a lot easier to clean your bolt carrier group.
  
• James gave me an AR-15 LULA loader/unloader. Not that it's difficult to load AR mags, but this speeds up the process.
  

Optics suggestion for Michael

This would look pretty cool on that Larue...

http://elcansightingsystems.com/Specter_Family_of_Sights/Dual_Role_Sights/SpecterDR_1x-4x.php

Late Christmas Gift

For Christmas, my Dad gave me some cash and suggested that I pick up an optic for my AR-15. I think he felt my lack of an optic was a bit inferior to John's fancy EOTech. Well, I finally bit the bullet last Friday and ordered an Aimpoint CompML3 and Tactical QD mount from LaRue.

It arrived today, and again I'm impressed with LaRue (remember they sent me a Christmas gift and card). Today I received the same treatment that Mike C. did back last July when he received his upper from Larue. I got my bumper stickers, cap, Dillo Dust, beverage entry tool and my pocket-sized US Constitution.

Even with this latest purchase I'm losing the arms race on Backtoms. You may remember Brian posted about his pair of Glocks back in August and I'm told now that he's holding out on showing his new toys.

Latest Additions

I know Tarkus and others are dying to see the latest upgrades to my AR-15. Here's what's been added:

• 5.11 Tactical Gun Case (courtesy of my in-laws for my birthday)
• Magpul Ladder Rail Protectors
• Fenix TK11 Flashlight
• CAA Quick Detach Tactical Light Holder
  

Santa Comes to Texas

My upper-half finally arrived on Friday after about a five month wait. I don't have any cool, extra goodies to report about. But I'm still happy it finally got here.

AR-15 Build Progress

Here is where I stand so far:

• DPMS .223/5.56 Lower Receiver & Lower Receiver Parts Kit
• Stock Extension Kit from PK Firearms
• Magpul CTR Carbine Stock
• Not pictured - I've also picked up two Magpul 30 rnd MagLevel PMAGs

Back in February I went ahead and ordered the 2HTL complete upper (left-handed) from Stag Arms. It is on back order and they estimated 25 weeks to deliver so that puts it getting here in the August/September time frame.

Michael, what's the status on your build?

Family Fun Outing

As John eluded to earlier, we took a field trip out to a ranch (one of Shey's co-worker's) this weekend for some shooting fun.  Here is a pic of what we brought to the party.

And the husband of Shey's co-worker brought his SKS, 45 and 22.  This was my first opportunity to shoot John's AR-15.  It is pretty sweet.  And the holographic sight is a lot of fun.

Mostly we were shooting at rocks and cactus, but we did break out a homemade target (specifically made for the Red Ryder).  Here it is after some handgun shots, but before we unleashed the AR-15 on it.

And needless to say the target didn't hold up too well.  Good thing I had a trash bag in the truck.

AR Update

What's that under the Scopecoat?



That's right, my new EOTech 511.A65/1.

Founders Day Wrap Up

I'm finally feeling back to about 99% today after the long weekend of drinking in Mississippi.  What did we learn:

• Philly was very good to a few of us.  I think my winnings will be just enough to cover my deductible for the hail damage to my roof (if I need a new roof as my roofer is telling me).  I think John is buying more AR-15 equipment with his, and I guess Nunnrey will probably buy some chickens.  I'm wondering if I should add the mustache to my list of winning slot moves.
• Crunk Craig is a jerk according to the slow chicks in front of us at the golf course.  It only took one hole to realize why.  Maybe my Red Ryder will speed them up next time.
• The birthday girl (aka Trained Killa, aka Gun Cleaning Machine), Vanessa, doesn't appear to be able to drink like she used to.
• Courtney is learning the SWA Rap as we speak.  Be on the lookout for her on a future flight.  Did I mention Courtney is a NKOTB groupie?
• On Saturday night, I think that waitress from Friday night was out celebrating the large tip she earned from us.  Too bad we didn't have her the second night instead of that slow, forgetful chick we had.
• Tarkus is getting old.  His hair is gray.  He's not on any of the social networking sites and has never heard of Twitter (not that I completely understand why people use it).  When I said blog he had a puzzled look on his face.  And then he started in on the virtues of face-to-face discussions over email.
  
• I want to welcome our new authors to the blog.  I know you guys are dying to post so here are a few of the older posts you should check out first: Genesis, What's It Gonna Take and Blog Template.
  

Founder's Day safety.

Being a bleeding heart liberal I thought I should make sure that everyone is not bringing these AR gun thingys to Founder's Day. I have rsvp'd but may pull out for fear that this will turn into some sort of fringe malitia activity breaking out against the fijis. The thought of you all building arsenals in your dark garages under your Ronald Regan shrines keeps me up nights.

Travel in style with your AR

Got a Condor rifle case today. I thought about this 5.11 Tactical case, but I cheaped out.



(Note the 20 and 30 round magazines available in America)

I do want an AR-15!

In response to John's POST on 2-24-09, I do want an AR-15 and I have begun acquiring the parts to build my own!

I picked up my lower today and I also grabbed a couple of 10/30 mags. I know this sucks, but at least it looks like the real deal. For those of you unaware, only 10 round magazines are allowed in California. A 10/30 magazine is a 30 round magazine that has been modified with an insert to only allow it to hold 10 rounds. I suppose at some point they could probably be modified back to their original 30 round capacity....but only if I move out of the state! As previously mentioned, I have also ordered an RRA lower parts kit and a Command Arms SRS stock, both of which have yet to ship. Anyways, here is a picture of what I have accumulated so far.





AMMO UPDATE: I stopped in Wal-Mart yesterday to pick up a new wallet for my girlfriends daughter (she had lost hers at the movies earlier that day) and while there I decided to check out the ammo. Much to my surprise, they had .223 ammo in 20, 40 and 100 round boxes. I reckon I'll swing back by tomorrow and pick up (2) 100 round boxes @ $39 each. After that, I will then check the 3 other Wal-Marts in my area and buy up all that I can.

Wed. night at the range

Michael, my friend, you are in for a treat when you finish up your AR. I took mine to the range tonight, and it is awesome. I don't know how I got along without it. We got there a little late (they close at 9). Did 20 .223 Remington UMC 45 gr. JHP and 50 .223 Black Hills 55 gr. FMJ. I'll test out the 5.56 Winchester 55 gr. FMJ James got me on the next trip.

Luke, when are you starting up your reloading shop?

The Hunt for Ammo

Yesterday, Shey and I went to the movies for the first time in over a year and saw Taken.  We enjoyed it and during the movie John sent me a text saying Wal-Mart (near our house) was out of .223 ammo for his new AR-15.  So after the movie I decided I would swing by a different Wal-Mart (near the theater) to see if they had any of the ammo John wanted.

Wal-Mart #1

We stopped at the Wal-Mart in Georgetown and to my amazement they did not have any .223 ammo except for one box of 20 rounds for ~$29.  Needless to say I didn't buy that, but thought what the heck...might as well pick up some 9MM ammo for myself since I hadn't replenished since my last trip to the range.  What do you know...no 9MM ammo at all.  How about for my 40 S&W?  None of that either.

Wal-Mart #2

Now that we are heading back to the house I decide to stop at a different Wal-Mart in Round Rock.  Same results there...they don't have any .223, 9MM or 40 S&W ammo.

We get to the house and start talking about where we should hit dinner.  Shey suggests Carl's Jr. since Nunnrey gave us a gift card for Xmas.  Sounds great...I love that place and haven't had it in years.  The only problem is that it's in South Austin (we live north of Austin).  

Wal-Mart #3

Why not...so we head down and I tell Shey that I need to stop and pick up some oil and a filter for my truck.  As we are leaving Carl's Jr (and it was as delicious as I remember it), Shey points out another Wal-Mart and says how about we get your oil there and see if they have any ammo?  Jackpot...they happen to have 9MM and one box of .223 JHP rounds.  So we pick up 5 boxes of 9MM (100 rounds each) and the one box of .223 (20 rounds).  The worker is amazed that I'm spending >$100 in ammo and inquires as to why I need that much.  I told him about my day and that I want to make sure I had enough to last a few trips to the range.

Since we're in South Austin I ask if we can go ahead and hit Cabela's.  Shey says sure and we head on down.  At Cabela's I pick up a small box of 5.56 ammo for John, but unfortunately they don't have any great deals on any bulk .223 in stock.  As we're leaving it dawns on me...in my excitement at Wal-Mart #3, I forgot to get the oil and filter.

Wal-Mart #4

Next door to Cabela's is another Wal-Mart so we go ahead and hit it to pick up the stuff I forgot to get at the last store.  Since we are there we swing by just to see if they have any ammo in...they don't.

The wrap up...5 different Wal-Marts (remember John hit 1 too) didn't have the 100 round boxes of .223 ammo.  Only one had any 9MM ammo and none of them had any 40 S&W ammo.  John also hit an Academy Sports and they were out of the 9MM and .223 as well.  My advice to you...stock up.

So you want an AR-15? (Part II)

As Daniel pointed out, the executive branch is seeking to institute another neck slapping weapons ban. This probably isn't going to help your chances of finding parts. I did manage to find a local store that had some complete uppers in stock, and ended buying a Stag Arms 2H.



Attaching the upper and lower is simple enough.







Now, I'm not a big fan of that handguard. So I think it's gonna have to be replaced soon with a free floating rail.

Is that it? Probably not. Aside from the handguard replacement, there's still the matter of optics, flashlight, etc. You know--critical items. This is getting expensive.

So you want an AR-15? (Part I)

James tells me Luke recently became the proud owner of an AR-15. It just so happens that James and I are in the slow process of building a couple ourselves. James has tasked me with documenting our trials and tribulations for the benefit of Michael and anyone else that's interested in joining our little club.

Luke bought a complete rifle, and we're partially assembling ours. What's up with that? Buying the complete gun is certainly the easiest way. We went to the gun show in Austin on Sunday and it looked like most were running around $1200+. You can probably find them for less (perhaps sub 1k depending on what you want). This route also requires little explanation. Hand over some money, walk away with cool firearm.

From here onwards are my notes regarding our assembly process. Like skinning cats, there's more than one way to build an AR. The first thing you'll find right now is that parts aren't as plentiful as you'd like. Something must have happened last year that caused a run on firearm purchases. The supply shortages also mean prices might be higher than in the past.

(Rant: If you read any of the AR-15 forums you'll probably see people complaining about "price gouging." Which I think is defined as: Exceeding the amount of money I have determined which you must accept in exchange for what I want. But enough of my basic economics theory.)

What do you need to buy? We started with a stripped lower receiver. We're using one from DPMS, but I suppose they're all mostly the same. It has a serial number on it, and if you buy it from a store you have to go through the same process as if you were buying a complete gun. You don't have the same issue with the other pieces, so you can order them online and have them shipped to your house if you want.

Cool, you now have an expensive, useless aluminum block. From here you could buy a kit that has everything else you need. Here's an example

http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt104.htm

That's too easy, so for us the next purchase was the lower parts kit. It contains all the stuff you need to jam into the lower receiver (e.g., trigger, springs). There are instructions for assembling this mess here. It also helps to watch these videos beforehand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_Vkb2UB1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4KfUaVp8M

I guess the hardest part for me was getting the pin for the bolt catch assembly started with the huge hammer I was using.

James was kind enough to give me a Command Arms collapsible butt stock for my birthday. I also picked up a 20 round Magpul magazine. I think some 30 round mags are called for eventually.

That's where it stands for now. A bigger, useless object.



From here you could buy more pieces and build the upper, but I'm leaning towards buying a complete upper assembly.

Examples of some complete uppers.

Rock River Arms
Stag Arms
CMMG
Lewis Machine & Tool

LaRue Tactical in Cedar Park (right outside of Austin) makes parts, but the price for an upper is a little on the high side for this project.

I've skipped a lot of things to consider. There's plenty of information at ar15.com. Here's an example of advice you can find on various forums regarding brands, etc. This one mentions being Cali-Legal so maybe this will apply to Michael.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=1073614&postcount=5

I should also note that I'm planning on starting with a rifle chambered for .223/5.56 NATO. But there are other calibers you could go for. We saw some AR57 uppers at Red's Indoor Range a couple weeks ago. These shoot a 5.7x28mm cartridge, but the uppers were close to $700 I think.