Having just fondled an ATRS Modern Sporter lower, I can safely say the SLR is the inferior product by all metrics. Weight seems lower, design is slicker, the anodizing is beautiful and rich, unlike the first run SLR I got. I dont suspect that its out of spec like the first run SLR.
SLR tips, tricks and observations
- Thread starter Betty-Lou
- Start date
My SLR is serial #13*BETATESTER lmao
I have 3 MS lowers that should be shipping out this coming week. Without even having my MS receivers in hand yet I know without a doubt what product is the superior.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Mine is mid 300's... i have a relief cut for the bolt stop, and metal AND polymer mags seem to FIT fine at this point... I guess live fire test will tell.
I bought a upper and a lower vise block on tna without really looking at it while buying a bunch of other parts for my slr.
Now I’ve just realiser that the upper vise is made in a way that won’t fit the slr’s upper. It’s the kind of vise block that wraps around the ar-15 upper to hold it in place. But since the slr and the ar-15 upper aren’t made exactly at the same exterior dimensions it doesn’t fit.
How did you guys hold your upper in place to torque the barrel?
Now I’ve just realiser that the upper vise is made in a way that won’t fit the slr’s upper. It’s the kind of vise block that wraps around the ar-15 upper to hold it in place. But since the slr and the ar-15 upper aren’t made exactly at the same exterior dimensions it doesn’t fit.
How did you guys hold your upper in place to torque the barrel?
I used a Magpul BEV block with a bolt carrier. The pivot pin will not fit obviously.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Bev block or Geissele reaction rod are best - but mine fit 'good enough' in my AR block that it worked. My rail/but only called for 40lb/f of torque and worked just fine.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Bev block or Geissele reaction rod are best - but mine fit 'good enough' in my AR block that it worked. My rail/nut only called for 40lb/f of torque and worked just fine.
I have all three and can say the anodizing on the MS is superior however I prefer the design of the SLR over both the Stag and MS, however the magwell on the MS and Stag are longer which functions a little better then the SLR. The Stag is a fine product but if it wasn’t a .308 The other two would be considerably better. The forging is fine but has the shake, rattle and roll of a pinned style AR receivers. The SLR is rock solid and looks sleeker without the pins.
Yeah too bad about the SLRs pants on head retarded detent system.
Honestly I dont care about rattle, I owned a Swiss Arms, that was rattle-rattle all day long and blows any other semi out of the water.
I had the rare chance to compare the two receivers side by side today;
Both sleek in their own right but the anodizing is amateurish and thin on the SLR compared to the MS -- seems like ATRS, a company with a proven track record, pays attention.
My Wheeler Engineering Delta Series AR-15 Upper Receiver Vise Block fits the SLR upper, my Magpul BEV vise block fits the SLR and my reaction rods fit the SLR upper. However the wheeler delta series will not work.
Yeah too bad about the SLRs pants on head retarded detent system.
Honestly I dont care about rattle, I owned a Swiss Arms, that was rattle-rattle all day long and blows any other semi out of the water.
I had the rare chance to compare the two receivers side by side today;
Both sleek in their own right but the anodizing is amateurish and thin on the SLR compared to the MS -- seems like ATRS, a company with a proven track record, pays attention.
I agree about the black finish, but the matting between the two SLR Receiver pieces are bang on along with the very slick ejection port door retaining system where the annoying c clip is no longer required.
I feel that if the SLR had the attention to detail like the ATRS people demonstrate or if they built the SLR it would be one great set.
By looking at your picture the SLR finish looks pretty damn good. Also the comparison demonstrates how sleek that SLR is without any takedown pins or movable hammer and trigger pins.
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So to be clear, I have 2 SLR in 6.5 Grendel
#1 is the problem. Bolt locks back on empty mag. Only seems to like well worn RRA 5.56 mags, the Grendel specific mag I have won’t stay in place ( insert it and it won’t catch) Will chamber and fire one round then pick up the next one and feed it into chamber but not quite enough to go back into battery. Have to pull back charging handle a bit and let it fly to drive the cartridge into place.
#2 accepts the Grendel mag but isn’t keen on other mags. Operates perfectly.
So I swapped uppers and lowers. Upper #1 works fine with Lower #2. Shoot, repeat, shoot, bolt open on empty mag.
Upper #2 fails with Lower #1. So something is up with the lower, I’m thinking it’s the bolt catch or mag release that is holding something up.
Odin barrel, BCG and tuneable has block.
- Location
- Medicine Hat, AB
Can try a different mag catch to see if it plays nicer with the Grendel mag, the Norgon style seem to have more grab into the mag as lots of people with the early stag10 sets found out. I can’t see it being a bolt catch issue if it is springing back and moving freely in the lower. The other thing to try would be swap the buffer and spring out of the lower that’s functioning properly and try it in the other one (also are they the same buffer weights?) Could be that it just needs a slightly stronger spring (could try geissele 42 if that’s the case).
On the discussion of Modern Sporter vs SLR I think that’s better served in a different thread as to not take this one right off the rails. As far as the anodizing discussion goes though, I have both and the MS 100% hands down is the better made and anodized receiver. SLR “anodizing” is bush league at best.
I would have to agree. But when the SLR is in the same price category as the MS I don't think it's out of line to expect ATRS like quality and attention to detail. Even though it's not built by ATRS.
The SLR is a decent design, it's just poorly executed. For the price I expected better.
Can’t believd I didn’t think of this before....The only real difference between #1 and #2?is that #2 is for a lefty so I used a nice ambi safety that popped right in, and #1 has a standard safety which was a very tight fit.
I thought the rifle wasn’t going quite into battery, but what is actually happening is that the safety is slightly engaging! I tried a shot, then nothing, and finally it clued in thst it felt like the safety was on. So I moved the safety just a tiny bit from the FIRE position and it makes a little CLICK. Then I was able to fire it. So something isn’t correct with the safety or the installation. Easy fix.
This is a big relief as #2 is a great pleasure to shoot, and now #1 will be too.
I thought the rifle wasn’t going quite into battery, but what is actually happening is that the safety is slightly engaging! I tried a shot, then nothing, and finally it clued in thst it felt like the safety was on. So I moved the safety just a tiny bit from the FIRE position and it makes a little CLICK. Then I was able to fire it. So something isn’t correct with the safety or the installation. Easy fix.
This is a big relief as #2 is a great pleasure to shoot, and now #1 will be too.
I have to admit, after reading some of the early reports, I was VERY close to abandoning my pre-order and moving on. However, after what was basically a year long wait, I decided to ride it out until it arrived and then go from there once it was in hand. Pleasantly surprised when looking back to the initial reports here is a very fair statement. The only issues I had at all are that it was somewhat of a goofy set up to install the trigger, but certainly not difficult, and then I got a little too ambitious trying to install the trigger guard rear pin. After taking a self assigned 'time out', I removed the pin and went at it again with a little grease, it went in without a hitch.
Aside from that, couple points to mention;
-Do not tighten down the trigger box screw, messes with the alignment of the safety (I used CC ambi safety)
-Slow and steady! My CC lowers were much easier to slip roll pins in, but this one just needs a little more gentle persuasion, opposed to force
-Magazines (not fired yet); ASC & Magpul seem to fit/function without an issue. ATRS (which fit terrible in my CCs as well) and IMI (fit well) will not drop freely
-Bolt catch didn't seem to want to grab on all the time at first (empty magazine, just cycling the charge handle). After spending some time cycling, appears everything is operating as should be expected at this point.
Aside from piecing together a couple lowers previously and doing what I would consider other basic firearms work in general over the years, this was my first attempt at putting an entire AR-style rifle together and it went as good as I expected it should for me, if not better.
Aside from that, couple points to mention;
-Do not tighten down the trigger box screw, messes with the alignment of the safety (I used CC ambi safety)
-Slow and steady! My CC lowers were much easier to slip roll pins in, but this one just needs a little more gentle persuasion, opposed to force
-Magazines (not fired yet); ASC & Magpul seem to fit/function without an issue. ATRS (which fit terrible in my CCs as well) and IMI (fit well) will not drop freely
-Bolt catch didn't seem to want to grab on all the time at first (empty magazine, just cycling the charge handle). After spending some time cycling, appears everything is operating as should be expected at this point.
Aside from piecing together a couple lowers previously and doing what I would consider other basic firearms work in general over the years, this was my first attempt at putting an entire AR-style rifle together and it went as good as I expected it should for me, if not better.
