Maccabee build using my BCL stuff

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Mystic Precision

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Got a BCL and thinking about one of these straight pulls from either Maccabee or Maple Ridge Armoury.

Any thoughts on what parts can be transfered over? Really hoping there is a way to reuse the forend and barrel nut.

Thanks

Jerry
 

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Normally, I would also concur but BCL has a nasty habit of using proprietory or mixing DPMS and Armalite... so I just want to be sure the few lower parts will transfer over.

I know the barrel nut and forend likely will not.. and I have a solution for that. Just the mag release, bolt release, safety, buffer tube that I am unsure about.

Jerry
 
Mag release, bolt catch, safety, and buffer tube should all be compatible. The Ambi bolt release paddle won't be compatible.

Only their MK7 handguard will directly mount without issue since they fixed the armalite/dpms patterns.
 
thanks for the info guys... got a maccabee onroute and will change to a build thread once it arrives.

As much as the BCL has its problems, many have it and this will be interesting to see what actually will fit. I will be moving a Timney targa 2 stage trigger over so hopefully, it will fit.

Will update once my kit shows up... MPA DPMS compatible forend is onroute so that should resolve the front end.

Seal off the gas port... have a 0.936" journal so will have to figure out something for that. Don't want to destroy the gas tube cause... you never know. See if I can knock out that itty bitty cross pin and then just flip the gas block 180 degs

Jerry
 
No idea if this is an option for the 308-based platforms, but for the smaller Renegades alot of people simply tapped out the roll pin holding the gas tune in, reinstalled the gas block on backwards, and were good to go. Tape the pin to the tube so you don't lose it, just in case the nonsense is overturned.
Hopefully MRA will make collars for the big .936 journals at some point.
 
With the position of the gas port in most every gas block I have seen, the hole is quite a bit offset. Flipping the block 180deg will put solid alum over the barrel port. I don't see the need to fill any of the current holes. My concern is not destroying the current cross pin as it is itty bitty.

Will update once all the stuff arrives

Jerry
 
Unholysavage said:
No idea if this is an option for the 308-based platforms, but for the smaller Renegades alot of people simply tapped out the roll pin holding the gas tune in, reinstalled the gas block on backwards, and were good to go. Tape the pin to the tube so you don't lose it, just in case the nonsense is overturned.
Hopefully MRA will make collars for the big .936 journals at some point.
Click to expand...

You could also just reinstall the pin with a drop of loctite so it does not fall out.
 
Mystic Precision said:
With the position of the gas port in most every gas block I have seen, the hole is quite a bit offset. Flipping the block 180deg will put solid alum over the barrel port. I don't see the need to fill any of the current holes. My concern is not destroying the current cross pin as it is itty bitty.

Will update once all the stuff arrives

Jerry
Click to expand...

A proper roll pin punch will not ruin the roll pin in the gas block. You could also get a .935" collar made and sweat it onto the barrel over the gas port
 
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Got it put together and put some rds downrange. Here are my quick thoughts

All the BCL lower parts transfered over including bolt, cam pin, firing pin although the spring can be used, mag release, bolt stop, buffer tube/spring and buffer, grip, safety

I don't know about the factory trigger as that went into the dumpster a long time ago. I have a Timney Targa and this most definitely does not drop into the lower. You have to widen the lower some and enlarge the front for the trigger housing. I would really hope that Maccabbee (and MPA) make a lower to accept the after market trigger packs.

DMPS spec barrel extension was a very nice tight fit into the upper.. needed just alittle coaxing to get it in.. very positive. The DPMS spec MPA forend and nut went on easily. The contours are not a perfect match.

Didn't try the BCL forend/nut debacle.. don't like this design.

Yes, that is the original gas tube out the front. I just flipped the gas block and tube around so I could shoot it. Gun worked so will have to decide if I want to drill out the cross pin or just chop the tube. I will also see if a thin shim is possible to add to really seal the port up.

The Maccabee upper and lower are well machined and finished. The fit between the two is nice and tight but still can be removed with a little bit of tapping... I like this. There is a bolt in the front to secure it all together. Seams lines are not perfectly matching which is a bit surprising. Given they are making these parts, I would have expected the dimensions to match. Not matching with some other manfs forend is understandable but not matching your own internal parts... kind of odd.

Operation of the bolt is smooth and the carrier does move nicely in the upper. There was another quirk where the carrier would get stuck when pulled fully to the rear. I had to hit the bolt handle to get it to go forward. After cycling the bolt a bunch of times and after some shooting, it seems to have resolved itself... maybe a burr or rough spot that needed to wear in????

Using LAR mags.. tight fit and lock up only when bolt is opened. I don't like to slam a mag into place and that is required on a closed bolt. Still working on the feeding as my first attempt left some really dented cases. When I was shooting, I loaded singularly.... I am going to make some dummy rds and see if I can resolve. I prefer my mags to drop free.. not in this lower, you need a nice tug to remove.

Shooting was both happy and sad... happy that I got to use my parts again.. sad cause it had to be manually cycled. What I don't like is the bolt handle which will constantly come loose. Yes, it needs to be removable to take the rifle apart but I would prefer a way to lock it down when in use. Yes, it can loosen and fall out... and that is not a good day in the field. The length and shape is functional and appearance is very basic. How durable this interface will be, time will tell but I will have to look at getting another bolt handle cause I fully expect to loose this one. This is likely the weakest part of the design and I don't like it.

Another niggle, if you rack with the right hand, the empty is going to hit you on the way by. The bolt handle could have been like 1/2" further back and problem solved. When racking with the left hand, there was no issues.

Nothing different when shooting this (except manually cycling) vs my BCL. Accuracy looks like it could be more stable vs the BCL and look forward to tuning my reloads. Something to consider, there is no camming leverage in this type of set up. If you are running ammo that is warm and the cases swell, you are hammering the bolt open which I doubt is good for longevity.

Proper sizing is a big must do as it will stop going into battery if the case is fat. You can push the handle forward and hope it does fully lock AND extract once fired. If not, you are mortaring this and hope for the best.

I will update later once I get some time to play with the feeding and load tuning.

Jerry
 

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Looks good!
Just throwing this out there it may be nonsense, if you run the gas block out of index wouldn’t it block off the gas port?
 
I can imagine you had tried that already and wasn’t trying to invent a new style of bayonet Laugh2

If a manufacturer would have an undrilled gas block it could be a nice solution.
My gas blocks have allen socket screws that’s why I was imagining turning it a bit, if they are pinned it’s another story...
 
Looks great BUT seriously Jerry... With the gas block reversed there's ZERO need to leave the gas tube installed in the gas block.

Punch that little pin out and get that gas tube off of there. Tape the pin to the gas tube and put it in a safe place. It's not rocket science to do it. And if you're worrying about damaging or losing the pin you can get a couple of them from TNA. They cost peanuts.

https://truenortharms.com/ar15_default_store_view/gas-tube-roll-pin.html

Looks great otherwise. Hopefully it shoots well.

:cheers:
 
For the WK180-C, people Loctite in the screw-in charging handle until such time as they need to do a field strip. Perhaps this could be done on the Maccabee? Also, Spectre Ballistics International make a hardened bolt charging handle with an expanded 3D printed shell for the WK; would an enlarged handle be of use on the Maccabee?
 
jiffx2781 said:
Looks great BUT seriously Jerry... With the gas block reversed there's ZERO need to leave the gas tube installed in the gas block.

Punch that little pin out and get that gas tube off of there. Tape the pin to the gas tube and put it in a safe place. It's not rocket science to do it. And if you're worrying about damaging or losing the pin you can get a couple of them from TNA. They cost peanuts.

https://truenortharms.com/ar15_default_store_view/gas-tube-roll-pin.html

Looks great otherwise. Hopefully it shoots well.

:cheers:
Click to expand...

the current cross pin is pounded to 1/3 shorter orginal length... wouldn't budge. Drill is the next solution but I wanted to make sure the rifle would even work before taking things apart further.

Feeding is the next issue... might have to look at other brands/types of mags. Surprised that such a well established design can have so many quirks

Jerry
 
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