SLR tips, tricks and observations

RUM said:
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.
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A Maple Ridge installed with the set screw tightened.

 
Sqr said:
A Maple Ridge installed with the set screw tightened.

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Not surprising that some fit better than others. However, with the Colt Canada ambi-safety, it did not fit well when that screw was anything more than snugged up.
 
Got mine in. Put it together from the parts that I’ve been collecting. Put the scope on this morning - Strike Eagle 4-24 (might be a little to much scope, but I want to see what it will do for accuracy)

What did I find in the build - no real issues. Bolt catch pin was tight, but no tighter than some AR’s I’ve put together. Used a proper punch, and tapped it into place with the end of my screwdriver. Safety was tight, but not unmanageable. A little lithium grease and it works nice. Not loose. You have to mean to manipulate it - the way I like it. Tried all kinds of mags ( P-mags, Troy, Aluminum milspec, Steel milspec, 2 different LAR’s). They all seated properly, and dropped free.

Didn’t have a lot of time to shoot, but I wanted to see if it would function, and if I was going to be really disappointed in the accuracy. Put 100 rounds of American Eagle 55gr bulk through it. Not a lot of rounds compared to some guys, but it gave me a feel for the rifle. No FTE’s. No FTF’s. Fed from every mag. Was able to keep 10 rounds in a 2” shoot-n-see without any problem. It wasn’t rapid fire, but it sure wasn’t slow precision shooting. Shoot, reaquire, shoot. Probably 1 round every 3-5 seconds.

My first impression: I’m happy. Coyotes won’t be. With hand loads, maybe some heavier bullets, and some load development, I think it can be very accurate. MOA? Maybe. Heck, it’s not even broken in yet. I didn’t encounter any of the issues that have been talked about, and was pleasantly surprised that the pile of parts I put together seems to be dependable from the git-go.
 
20" Criterion barrel with 15" Geissele Mk14 handguard.
Geissele SSP Flat bow trigger
Nightforce 2.5-10x24

A little over 10lbs as it sits... not TOO bad I guess for a 'DMR'ish .223. Looking to make this my general varmint and plinking gun.
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Does anyone know if a Magpul BEV block works? The SLR doesnt have the pivot pin hole in the upper.. If everything else fits, I just need someone to hold the receiver in the block so it doesnt fall forward????

Edit: I think the ATRS MS might be different too, not sure if the BEV block works with it either
 
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Keodis said:
Does anyone know if a Magpul BEV block works? The SLR doesnt have the pivot pin hole in the upper.. If everything else fits, I just need someone to hold the receiver in the block so it doesnt fall forward????

Edit: I think the ATRS MS might be different too, not sure if the BEV block works with it either
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I just used a block of wood and some cardboard to assemble my lower. Never used the magwell block it didnt lock into place (not the magpull one).
 
Keodis said:
Does anyone know if a Magpul BEV block works? The SLR doesnt have the pivot pin hole in the upper.. If everything else fits, I just need someone to hold the receiver in the block so it doesnt fall forward????

Edit: I think the ATRS MS might be different too, not sure if the BEV block works with it either
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The bev block and Wheeler delta series AR kits work.
 
Keodis said:
Does anyone know if a Magpul BEV block works? The SLR doesnt have the pivot pin hole in the upper.. If everything else fits, I just need someone to hold the receiver in the block so it doesnt fall forward????

Edit: I think the ATRS MS might be different too, not sure if the BEV block works with it either
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Bev block works fine. Just can’t put the pin in the receiver, still does the job just the same, at least it did for me.
 
Is there a list of triggers that will work in that POS trigger box?
Pretty sure just wasted a couple hundered bucks on a Hyperfire trigger so can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.
 
Tractorguy said:
Is there a list of triggers that will work in that POS trigger box?
Pretty sure just wasted a couple hundered bucks on a Hyperfire trigger so can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.
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You could remove some material from the trigger box to allow your trigger to fit. Theres a few here that have done so already Im sure.
 
smokenhope said:
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.
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I put in a new mag catch and sure enough it works great. Will take almost any mag I put in there now.

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anyone try heavier ammo thru there 223? like the 77gr variety?
I have a MRA fluted barrel, and was curious as to what ammo your 223 prefers. I found 53gr hornady superformance very accurate. some 55gr variety was also decent. AE black box was very mediocre
 
maurice said:
anyone try heavier ammo thru there 223? like the 77gr variety?
I have a MRA fluted barrel, and was curious as to what ammo your 223 prefers. I found 53gr hornady superformance very accurate. some 55gr variety was also decent. AE black box was very mediocre
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That heavily depends on the quality of barrel used and the twist rate.
 
r34skyline said:
That heavily depends on the quality of barrel used and the twist rate.
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This. If your barrel isn't 1:8 or faster, it likely won't shoot 77 grain bullets well.

Looks like all of Maple Ridge's barrels are 1:8, so you should be good? I have an S&J stainless match barrel on mine, also 1:8. I'm looking at picking up some heavier bullet ammo and see if I can find something that it likes. Accuracy with surplus 5.56 and Norinco ".223" (With a military headstamp. Super convinced that it's .223 remington and not 5.56 Nato, lol) was pretty meh. Good enough for 3-gun, but not great by any means. I also only have a 1-6 strike eagle on it, so not an ideal reticle for attempting to shoot tiny groups. I ordered in a 4-16 for accuracy testing, so that will hopefully help a little bit.
 
My SLR was just approved on my Form 6NIA and I'll be taking it to Texas in a few weeks. I'll have access to a 2400+ yard range. Should be bringing a 6.5CM, but I'll be able to stretch the SLR's legs quite a bit. Looking to buy some 77 OTM (as well as 55gr and maybe 62gr) down there for testing, so hopefully will have some decent accuracy results.
 
Scotty454 said:
This. If your barrel isn't 1:8 or faster, it likely won't shoot 77 grain bullets well.

Looks like all of Maple Ridge's barrels are 1:8, so you should be good? I have an S&J stainless match barrel on mine, also 1:8. I'm looking at picking up some heavier bullet ammo and see if I can find something that it likes. Accuracy with surplus 5.56 and Norinco ".223" (With a military headstamp. Super convinced that it's .223 remington and not 5.56 Nato, lol) was pretty meh. Good enough for 3-gun, but not great by any means. I also only have a 1-6 strike eagle on it, so not an ideal reticle for attempting to shoot tiny groups. I ordered in a 4-16 for accuracy testing, so that will hopefully help a little bit.
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What kind of results are you getting with the S&J Stainless Match? I have one ready to go for my ATRS MS build and haven't seen any reports yet. When I ordered originally the specs said it was like 1.6 lbs, then it changed to 2.2 lbs or so after I ordered. I'm hoping it shoots lights out at that weight and price.



I'm running the light-profile Rise Armament 18.5", 416R, 1:7 twist barrel in my SLR. This is from the first time out with the gun, I've only put a few rounds through it and it was with a 1-8X optic. So far it shoots the X-Tac 62 gr M855 great, started at around 2.0 MOA and was shrinking closer to 1.25 - 1.5 MOA on the last few groups. Will do a bit of shooting with the cheapo AE223 and Independance and see how it fares, along with some Fiocci 77 gr match next time.

M855 (PMC X-Tac), 4 groups, 100 yards

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