First Big Budget AR-15 Project

MadcapMagician said:
I love the idea of a 10.5" but I was worried about the accuracy drop off with the shorter barrel. I won't be doing anything past 200 yards with it so it may not be an issue.

And as lame or retarded as it sounds I wanted to have a rifle as "close" to an active Military Firearm model as possible. Hence the "14.5" M4" or the MK18.

Regardless... ###y guns.
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A shorter barrel is not less accurate than a longer barrel, there has been much testing done that proves it is actually just as accurate and sometimes more accurate than a longer barrel. What the longer barrel offers is higher velocity which results in less wind deflection and smaller holdovers which can be calculated and compensated for when shooting a shorter barreled rifle.
My personal favorite for an AR is a 12 inch rifle.

One thing I would suggest is that you avoid buying a rifle with a quadrail, I find them to be uncomfortable and they just add weight for no reason. How much crap do you actually plan to hang off of those rails. I find a continuous full length top rail with a couple 3 inch rail sections that can be positioned around the forend are all that is needed as a civilian shooter trying to keep the rifle light and maneuverable.
 
Factory Vs Build

Building an AR gives you the few things a factory rifle doesn't.. Learning & understanding the mechanics behind the design & being able to trouble shoot issues If/when they arise.

If your apt to just "plug n play" by all means, pick a brand & roll forward. If you'd like to understand and have a greater knowledge, build it and have some fun in the learning/build process. I took the build route on my first AR and happy I did. I probably would've dismantled a factory unit in short order anyways customising it. I can't see myself purchasing a factory AR outside of a KAC or LaRue, so I guess I'll continue to build when necessary.

Rail systems

The latest trend/fad is the Keymod & M-Lok styles. I'm not overly keen on them myself. The longer (beyond 13/14") look out of place imo. Some of them look like a broomstick on the end of the Upper/Lower receivers they're so slim.

I guess I'm a Quad Rail guy. Enough real estate to offer a good solid grip, with enough space/adjustability to hang a light system off if your looking at 3-Gun in the future. One of the least known hidden gems of rails are the Yankee Hill Diamond Series. Well constructed, solid mounting at a price that won't break the bank. If I didn't have LaRue & DD systems I'd probably go with one of these they're that nice. I had and sold a Spectre length to a friend, who liked it enough to buy the 12" rifle length version. YHMs' endcap is a nice touch you can add as well.

There's always the integrated style of Uppers to look into as well, as cr5 suggests. Lots of options there, Aero COP & M4E, Vltor VIS, LMT MRP, CC IUR etc..

Welcome to the never ending insanity of building, buying and customising ARs btw :evil:
 
Phat Eagle said:
DD uses CHF barrels too. Palmetto used to use the FN CHF M249 barrels, but I don't know if they still do.
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That's exactly the brand I was thinking off when I mentioned special runs. I know they had a regular and FN249 option but wasn't sure if that was still something they offered.
 
mikethebike said:
that ar looks like sh!t, tastes are subjective but holy fack, thats an ugly ar!
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Jerry Champagne said:
I agree it's all over the place
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Phat Eagle said:
x3!
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I'm not disagreeing with you guys on that. But... you guys have no vision. :p I'm seeing what it could be in less than an hour of work, or possibly no work at all.

You guys should be kicking yourselves for not seriously looking at that rifle. I'm as shallow as the next guy, but it seemed pretty obvious to me that was a gem. I waited a few days before inquiring about that rifle (in case the OP was going for it). It has sold though. As there have been no updates and the OP liking DD, I think it's safe to say he/she didn't buy it. By the way it sold for $1195 shipped without the tango down, handguard covers, and Tasco Red dot. A few minutes with the right solvent and the painted stock/sights would be back to factory black. That would have been a very good deal. :( I'm going to remember that one, the next EE complaint thread I see.

The OP is obviously really set on the DD rifle, so it's no matter to him/her. DD makes a very good regular AR from what I've seen/read. So it's not as if the OP will be disappointed. First World problem here. Which awesome AR do I choose?
 
Well I spent a few days getting eaten by bugs in The Pas, Manitoba and I've made my decision.

I made an offer to a fellow NUT on the EE for a New DDM4V5 and hopefully they still have it and accept. With the price it was listed for I can also afford to buy a nice Eotech and Magnifier combo provided I don't like the TRS-25 Bushnell I have waiting.

SO we shall see! Hope they take the offer.

I will keep everyone informed.

I appreciate all the input and insight.
 
MadcapMagician said:
Well I spent a few days getting eaten by bugs in The Pas, Manitoba and I've made my decision.

I made an offer to a fellow NUT on the EE for a New DDM4V5 and hopefully they still have it and accept. With the price it was listed for I can also afford to buy a nice Eotech and Magnifier combo provided I don't like the TRS-25 Bushnell I have waiting.

SO we shall see! Hope they take the offer.

I will keep everyone informed.

I appreciate all the input and insight.
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Good stuff MadcapMagician! It was pretty clear you had your heart set on a DD. To be honest if you didn't get one you would always be wondering. I hope you're able to get a good deal. Please let us know. Also, yes with the Eotech. I do prefer them for the most part. I do have/use Aimpoint and even Hensolt RSA (which is awesome for none AR rifles).
 
I built my current AR, not my First build either, and it runs fine, but I'm looking at selling it and going to a PWS, LaRue or KAC. Just something about knowing you are buying a quality firearm that will do exactly what its supposed to everytime. Even though I've spend 2000+ on my current build, I honestly find the newer DD to be not on the same level as their older items when they first came to the commercial market. If you want to spend that sort of money, do it right the first time.

Buy one, cry once, quality for life. My 0.02
 
Ha! Side note for anyone who might care. I also bought one of the Windham Carbon 16" AR's from Firearms Outlet in Ajax. This will serve as a basis for a fun plinker to cannibalize and modify. The Daniel Defense will probably stay largely unmodified for a while.
 
I have noticed a few people keep mentioning LaRue, but it was my understanding they can't be bought in Canada by civilians. Has something changed?
 
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MadcapMagician said:
Ha! Side note for anyone who might care. I also bought one of the Windham Carbon 16" AR's from Firearms Outlet in Ajax. This will serve as a basis for a fun plinker to cannibalize and modify. The Daniel Defense will probably stay largely unmodified for a while.
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I check up on these threads. I'm always interested. By the way I bought that LMT mrp (Yes I did wait two days before inquiring about it). I wasn't positive I would have been able to restore it back to the original black. However I was able to. While the OD was very well done in terms of a quality paint job, it wasn't to my taste either. The rifle is no longer "ugly". So your thread helped someone else out too.
 
MadcapMagician said:
Ha! Side note for anyone who might care. I also bought one of the Windham Carbon 16" AR's from Firearms Outlet in Ajax. This will serve as a basis for a fun plinker to cannibalize and modify. The Daniel Defense will probably stay largely unmodified for a while.
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I was reading that the Windham Carbon series uses a different barrel nut thread size. The outer dimensions are the same but they increased the size of the thread diameter to strengthen the area, so if you plan to "cannibalize and modify" you are stuck with swapping in and out forends that use the factory barrel nut. I would look at the Troy Alpha series, I have a 12 inch Alpha with the built in flip up front sight on my 300 blackout build.


http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...for-Wyndham-Carbon-quot-SRC-quot-Rifle-Owners
 
I'm glad we're at least able to shed some light for other people. I also regularly check these threads as there is always lots of interesting info.

I ended up receiving my Windham Weaponry Carbon Friday and am going to test it at the range today. I don't have anything else to compare it to other than a few rounds in a Norc but we'll see what happens. Initial thoughts are positive. Very lightweight.

IMAG3165.jpg


FYI. Came with the small mag in the corner. I had a Magpul 5/30 rounder waiting for it. Threw a Bushnell TRS-25 on it for testing.

Epoxy7 said:
I check up on these threads. I'm always interested. By the way I bought that LMT mrp (Yes I did wait two days before inquiring about it). I wasn't positive I would have been able to restore it back to the original black. However I was able to. While the OD was very well done in terms of a quality paint job, it wasn't to my taste either. The rifle is no longer "ugly". So your thread helped someone else out too.
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Yes you're right. I was actually the one who posted that :p

I've got a variety of Magpul goodies coming for it now courtesy of three site sponsors.

cr5 said:
I was reading that the Windham Carbon series uses a different barrel nut thread size. The outer dimensions are the same but they increased the size of the thread diameter to strengthen the area, so if you plan to "cannibalize and modify" you are stuck with swapping in and out forends that use the factory barrel nut. I would look at the Troy Alpha series, I have a 12 inch Alpha with the built in flip up front sight on my 300 blackout build.


http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...for-Wyndham-Carbon-quot-SRC-quot-Rifle-Owners
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These threads are always popular. Like Liberals and NDP'ers, people love to suggest what should be done with other people's money!
 
Andy said:
These threads are always popular. Like Liberals and NDP'ers, people love to suggest what should be done with other people's money!
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Yup. That being said I did buy the rifle I recommended. So the only person who's money I ended up spending was my own!
 
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Correct. The only glass that beats it is the Zahles(?sp) but the reticle are out to lunch last I checked. The Christmas tree on the Z6i is spot on and simple. The glass is true a 1x - kinda rare in the 1-6 game. Shoot big matches in the US and 1-6 is a necessity. Available throw levers are available and now the scope has been out there in the three gun game for a while now we would know if it's a weak build. Not the case. Robust. Having a dot that's an actual dot is big for me. Notice when you crank the power the dot drops in size. Great optic. The only knock is cost but I got one when the dollar was ok from Ken at Wildwest.
 
MadcapMagician said:
Hey D_,

What do you like about the Z6i. According to Google that's a Swarovski rifle scope?
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And it's pricier than FUQ. I too just purchased a new rifle (custom build not my first ar) and I've decided to go with a TR-24. I got it mounted up last night and I'm really liking it. Although I don't really think a 1-4 is much more necessary for shooting objects between like 100-500 yards than a red dot is, the fact you can DISTINGUISH what you are shooting at is very important to me (I live in the prairies), and having (pretty much) true 1x is a must as well. You also have a 10 year+ glowing triangle... It's the best of both worlds. Definitely heavier than a t1 set up though... And it will get heavier once my DBAL goes on ...
 
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