AR15 3Gun Modifications?
- Thread starter cereal83
- Start date
The Armalites are good as long as you don't want to change the upper to another brand. There is a certain amount of play and sloppiness. (Speaking from experience.)
Experience with one or multiple samples? My Armalite is fine on other brand powers. It is an old one, not a 3G.
Northaways
Regular
- Location
- Northaways
Some good advice here. Another inexpensive easy to install mod that made a big difference for me was adding a Magpul BAD lever.
I personal like the mechanics if the BAD but not the product itself. The one piece Phase 5 or TROY is superior to the two piece Mgpul variety. I find the little Torx screw backing off far to often for my liking.
grimreefer
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
Adjustable gas blocks on standard BCG and buffer system. Yay or nay?
It depends on how much your gun is over-gassed.
grimreefer
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
How can I tell if I don't have anything to compare to?
Or maybe let me ask this question...is there anything about an adjustable gas block that could bite me later if I adjust it properly for the weakest ammunition I will use and lock it down?
No, no down side other than possibly spending money for no change in performance.
Direction and distance of ejection can give you an idea of how your gun is gassed. Ejection forward of 2 o'clock usually indicates too much gas, though this may not be the case with steel-cased ammo as it can bounce differently.
I would do some research before committing to stuff because the pros are doing it. I have been reading and watching videos often since I created this thread. I have decided to sell my AR and buy something better suited. I can do a custom build or buy a prebuilt one but since I don't understand everything perfectly yet, I am waiting until I do. Even with all these black friday sales.
Swapping for an adjustable gas block to reduce felt recoil/muzzle movement will result in a very minor gain in performance. If you're asking about an adjustable gas block then you likely don't have the experience or skill to see the benefit the adjustable gas block might offer. Spend more time and money on practicing the basics like positional shooting and sub conscious manipulation of the gun. A free float hand guard, a wizzy comp, an adjustable gas block, etc etc are all small/incremental gains. None of which are worth a hill of beans if your rifle isn't 100% reliable, your optic is quality/reliable, and you can make the shot. Your rifle must be 100% reliable, your optic the same and you MUST BE ABLE TO MAKE THE SHOT. The rest is just dressing..
grimreefer
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
My accuracy, optic, hold-overs, manipulation, shooting positions are all very good (I think) and my rifle has not failed me yet. Although I do lack the experience with other rifles for comparison, and that's why I'm asking here. The only thing I am interested in an adjustable gas block for is faster double taps. I can manage the trigger quickly but after the first shot my reticle moves enough that I need to take the extra time for it to settle at anything more than about 15m for A-zone hits. I think I have a good brake; VG6 Epsilon. I am certainly okay with a minimal gain if that's the case...it's still a gain and it has to add up, right? I also put a lot of pride into building my rifle, so if I can make a modest performance increase for $100 I will take it. I am not looking for shortcuts or any substitution for practice...I'm at the range at least once per week.
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I'm sure someone stated it (not going to read this whole thread) but its probably worth repeating if we're still discussing individual stand alone parts.
The gas SYSTEM is just that, a system. as a whole it can be tuned to be a soft shooting rifle.
One part on its own, be it a comp or a gas block, will only make small differences to the feel of the rifle.
My first AR was a 16" Stag with carbine gas system.
I installed an adjustable gas block, removed the internals from the buffer and had the stock bolt carrier group machined to reduce its weight.
Installed a JP Cooley comp.
With the gas block turned down, it was a soft shooter.
I now shoot a 20" barrel with rifle length system with all the go fast toys.
Its a soft shooter.
Softer than my "custom" rifle mentioned above, with the same ammo, but the Stag I modified would serve anyone well in competition.
I placed well with it at 3gun matches in the US.
If someone was on a serious budget, an inexpensive but effective brake/comp, and an adjustable gas block would be the only expense really required.
Cheap/free lightweight internals can be had by doing what I did.
Take your buffer and remove the weights from the inside.
Take your bolt carrier and with a couple swipes with a milling machine, you have a reduced weight BCG. (google images for this and copy the one you like)
a machine shop shouldn't charge much if anything for this. You aren't looking for aerospace tolerance in the accuracy of the cuts. Just hogging out material.
Probably can do it with a dremel if you really wanted to.
The next step up is to swap everything for brand name parts.
If you are going to go through that expense, maybe just get a ready built upper and a buffer, or a full on "3 gun" rifle
At the end of the day, even with a ready built rifle, you will swap out parts you don't like once you actually learn why you don't like them.
Its all part of the fun
The gas SYSTEM is just that, a system. as a whole it can be tuned to be a soft shooting rifle.
One part on its own, be it a comp or a gas block, will only make small differences to the feel of the rifle.
My first AR was a 16" Stag with carbine gas system.
I installed an adjustable gas block, removed the internals from the buffer and had the stock bolt carrier group machined to reduce its weight.
Installed a JP Cooley comp.
With the gas block turned down, it was a soft shooter.
I now shoot a 20" barrel with rifle length system with all the go fast toys.
Its a soft shooter.
Softer than my "custom" rifle mentioned above, with the same ammo, but the Stag I modified would serve anyone well in competition.
I placed well with it at 3gun matches in the US.
If someone was on a serious budget, an inexpensive but effective brake/comp, and an adjustable gas block would be the only expense really required.
Cheap/free lightweight internals can be had by doing what I did.
Take your buffer and remove the weights from the inside.
Take your bolt carrier and with a couple swipes with a milling machine, you have a reduced weight BCG. (google images for this and copy the one you like)
a machine shop shouldn't charge much if anything for this. You aren't looking for aerospace tolerance in the accuracy of the cuts. Just hogging out material.
Probably can do it with a dremel if you really wanted to.
The next step up is to swap everything for brand name parts.
If you are going to go through that expense, maybe just get a ready built upper and a buffer, or a full on "3 gun" rifle
At the end of the day, even with a ready built rifle, you will swap out parts you don't like once you actually learn why you don't like them.
Its all part of the fun
You know, the more you post on here, the more moderate your responses get, you are helpful and considerate, with well reasoned replies.....I'm not sure I like it!
