Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
$60 Stripped Lower Receivers
DSA is not really known for making the highest quality AR15's, but they do have a great price going right now on stripped lowers.
Stripped lowers are usually the one thing that most common manufacturers DO get right almost every time.
Last I knew, DSA lowers were made by LMT (although I suppose that could have changed since that time). These are made of 7075 T6 hardcoat anodized aluminum.
These are cosmetic "blems" or something similar, but regardless, still a good deal.
Stripped lowers are usually the one thing that most common manufacturers DO get right almost every time.
Last I knew, DSA lowers were made by LMT (although I suppose that could have changed since that time). These are made of 7075 T6 hardcoat anodized aluminum.
These are cosmetic "blems" or something similar, but regardless, still a good deal.
Monday, January 18, 2010
M4 Carbine in for a change
It sounds like the US Army is wanting to change the M4 to match the M4A1 barrel profile, which is heavy under the handguards.
You can see an M4 profile barrel here, "light under the handguards". M4A1 barrels are much thicker in this area (adding 5oz. of additional weight) in order to hold up better under full auto fire.
Testing between the two shows that the M4A1 barrel profile essentially doubles the amount of sustained full auto fire when compared to the M4 profile.
I find this change interesting, considering that the M4 is not full auto but three round burst and it took 18 30 round magazines of sustained full auto fire for the M4 profile barrel to burst.
Many US troops standard loadout is 7 magazines.
Obviously this is an extreme test that pushes the M4 carbine far past it's design and far past anything it might even be asked to perform.
Here is the link to the article I read on this change. It shows the two test videos where they first test the M4 profile barrel until it burst and then the test with the M4A1 barrel to it's limit.
This change seems like a done deal. The only thing up in the air to this point is whether or not they will retrofit the M4's already in service.
You can see an M4 profile barrel here, "light under the handguards". M4A1 barrels are much thicker in this area (adding 5oz. of additional weight) in order to hold up better under full auto fire.
Testing between the two shows that the M4A1 barrel profile essentially doubles the amount of sustained full auto fire when compared to the M4 profile.
I find this change interesting, considering that the M4 is not full auto but three round burst and it took 18 30 round magazines of sustained full auto fire for the M4 profile barrel to burst.
Many US troops standard loadout is 7 magazines.
Obviously this is an extreme test that pushes the M4 carbine far past it's design and far past anything it might even be asked to perform.
Here is the link to the article I read on this change. It shows the two test videos where they first test the M4 profile barrel until it burst and then the test with the M4A1 barrel to it's limit.
This change seems like a done deal. The only thing up in the air to this point is whether or not they will retrofit the M4's already in service.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Ammunition, Part 2
There is an internet myth floating around about the 5.56 that I would like to clear up. It goes something like this:
The people arguing this will often say that the "enemy" will essentially lose 3 people for every wounded soldier, as they will devote two people to each one to care for them.
There are several holes in this argument. For starters, wounded soldiers can still shoot back!
Secondly, anyone who served in the military or knows people who served in the military can tell you that the US military is in the business of killing people. I've heard this from many people in the US military. My brother, who served in the USAF told me that one of his drill instructors made this point abundantly clear to them while in officer training. There is simply no way they would design a primary service rifle with the intent to merely "wound" the enemy.
Lastly, I cannot think of an enemy we have been at war with in the past 50 years that cared half as much for their wounded as our troops do.
For those of you not convinced, there's plenty of evidence out there that the 5.56 is an extremely devastating round, especially when it fragments.
You can see the wound profile of the original US military 5.56 round, M193.
Something many people don't realize is that the 5.56 is as devastating as it is when it fragments. Another thing they don't realize is that fragmentation does not always occur, even under ideal circumstances.
Just to demonstrate this, when shooting bare milk jugs filled with water, on a variety of occasions, I have noticed that although the 5.56 usually does fragment and breaks up in the 2nd and 3rd jugs, sometimes the round will just zip right through.
I have observed this in real life hunting when shooting coyotes as well. I have seen the rounds fragment (instantly killing the animal) and I have seen the rounds zip right through them. A good shot usually results in a kill either way though.
Just goes to show that there is no substitution for good shot placement!
For those who want to see the actual effects on human flesh with the M193 round, you can click on the link below.
WARNING - GRAPHIC PICTURES THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS - WARNING
That guy was lucky that he was shot in the leg. You can only imagine how things would have gone for that man had he been shot in the torso.
I will echo my previous comments, there is no substitution for good shot placement!
That said, myths like this die hard even when there are people out there spreading the truth. Hopefully we can help a few more people learn the truth. ;)
The 5.56 round was created to "wound", not kill because an injured soldier is a bigger drain on the enemies resource than a dead soldier.
The people arguing this will often say that the "enemy" will essentially lose 3 people for every wounded soldier, as they will devote two people to each one to care for them.
There are several holes in this argument. For starters, wounded soldiers can still shoot back!
Secondly, anyone who served in the military or knows people who served in the military can tell you that the US military is in the business of killing people. I've heard this from many people in the US military. My brother, who served in the USAF told me that one of his drill instructors made this point abundantly clear to them while in officer training. There is simply no way they would design a primary service rifle with the intent to merely "wound" the enemy.
Lastly, I cannot think of an enemy we have been at war with in the past 50 years that cared half as much for their wounded as our troops do.
For those of you not convinced, there's plenty of evidence out there that the 5.56 is an extremely devastating round, especially when it fragments.
You can see the wound profile of the original US military 5.56 round, M193.
Something many people don't realize is that the 5.56 is as devastating as it is when it fragments. Another thing they don't realize is that fragmentation does not always occur, even under ideal circumstances.
Just to demonstrate this, when shooting bare milk jugs filled with water, on a variety of occasions, I have noticed that although the 5.56 usually does fragment and breaks up in the 2nd and 3rd jugs, sometimes the round will just zip right through.
I have observed this in real life hunting when shooting coyotes as well. I have seen the rounds fragment (instantly killing the animal) and I have seen the rounds zip right through them. A good shot usually results in a kill either way though.
Just goes to show that there is no substitution for good shot placement!
For those who want to see the actual effects on human flesh with the M193 round, you can click on the link below.
WARNING - GRAPHIC PICTURES THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS - WARNING
That guy was lucky that he was shot in the leg. You can only imagine how things would have gone for that man had he been shot in the torso.
I will echo my previous comments, there is no substitution for good shot placement!
That said, myths like this die hard even when there are people out there spreading the truth. Hopefully we can help a few more people learn the truth. ;)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
BCM Upper
Normally, I like to order all of the parts and put them together myself, but I've been wanting a BCM (Bravo Company Manufacturing) upper for some time now. I debated between getting a 14.5" and attaching my own flash hider (like the Phantom 5C2) or simply ordering one with a flash hider already permanently attached. I wasn't going to add rails.
Ultimately I went the easy route and got one with a flash hider already permanently installed, BCM M4 14.5" Upper. These come with an extended "A2" lookalike flash hider called the "A2X" which, when permanently attached, increases the length of the "barrel" to 16.1".
I am eager to test out the effectiveness of this flash hider.
Initial impressions are good. It appears to be everything that it is advertised as being.
Some of the specs include:
-M4 Feedramps
-Milspec 11595E Barrel Steel
-1/7 twist
-5.56, Chrome lined barrel
-HPT/MP Inspected Barrel
-F Marked Front Sight Base
Can't wait to shoot it. These uppers are the best upper you can buy, dollar for dollar in my opinion.
Ultimately I went the easy route and got one with a flash hider already permanently installed, BCM M4 14.5" Upper. These come with an extended "A2" lookalike flash hider called the "A2X" which, when permanently attached, increases the length of the "barrel" to 16.1".
I am eager to test out the effectiveness of this flash hider.
Initial impressions are good. It appears to be everything that it is advertised as being.
Some of the specs include:
-M4 Feedramps
-Milspec 11595E Barrel Steel
-1/7 twist
-5.56, Chrome lined barrel
-HPT/MP Inspected Barrel
-F Marked Front Sight Base
Can't wait to shoot it. These uppers are the best upper you can buy, dollar for dollar in my opinion.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
M16 Sniper and Designated Rifleman Variants
The M16 design has been altered and enhanced time and time again. Utilizing the inherent accuracy and the unmatched modularity, the M16 has been turned into an excellent sniper and counter-sniper weapon.
Squad Designated Marksmen (SDM's) are becoming more and more common and they are often using slightly modified M16A4's with scopes (often an ACOG), bipods, 2-Stage triggers and other things to enhance accuracy. They don't act as snipers in the true sense of the word, but they do act as a more precise longer range rifleman.
The SPR (Special Purpose Rifle), also known as the Mk12 as named by the USN, is another M16 variant. Featuring an 18" free floating match grade stainless steel heavy barrel, the SPR is usually fed with 5.56 Mk262 Mod 1 77gr OTM (Open Tip Match) Black Hills rounds. This load is known not only for it's supreme accuracy but also for devastating fragmentation (when traveling at or above the fragmentation threshold of 2300fps).
A KAC (Knights Armament Company) 2-Stage trigger is used, as is a PRI free float tube and a Bi-pod. A typical scope is a 3.5–10x40mm Leupold.
There are some variations out there in the SPR family, including a variety of stocks, but you get the picture. Many AR15 enthusiasts make their own versions of the SPR based on the various features I mentioned.
Similar to the SPR, the SR25, or Mk11 Mod 0, made by KAC is made for use by snipers. However, this rifle is chambered in 7.62x51 NATO.
This picture shows the difference between the 5.56 (top) and the 7.62x51 (bottom).
The SR25 uses 20 round magazines along with match ammo.
A USMC Marine is shown shooting the Mk11.
The Mk11 Mod 0, USN and USMC version, is very similar to the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) of the US Army ,and both are made by KAC.
Squad Designated Marksmen (SDM's) are becoming more and more common and they are often using slightly modified M16A4's with scopes (often an ACOG), bipods, 2-Stage triggers and other things to enhance accuracy. They don't act as snipers in the true sense of the word, but they do act as a more precise longer range rifleman.
The SPR (Special Purpose Rifle), also known as the Mk12 as named by the USN, is another M16 variant. Featuring an 18" free floating match grade stainless steel heavy barrel, the SPR is usually fed with 5.56 Mk262 Mod 1 77gr OTM (Open Tip Match) Black Hills rounds. This load is known not only for it's supreme accuracy but also for devastating fragmentation (when traveling at or above the fragmentation threshold of 2300fps).
A KAC (Knights Armament Company) 2-Stage trigger is used, as is a PRI free float tube and a Bi-pod. A typical scope is a 3.5–10x40mm Leupold.
There are some variations out there in the SPR family, including a variety of stocks, but you get the picture. Many AR15 enthusiasts make their own versions of the SPR based on the various features I mentioned.
Similar to the SPR, the SR25, or Mk11 Mod 0, made by KAC is made for use by snipers. However, this rifle is chambered in 7.62x51 NATO.
This picture shows the difference between the 5.56 (top) and the 7.62x51 (bottom).
The SR25 uses 20 round magazines along with match ammo.
A USMC Marine is shown shooting the Mk11.
The Mk11 Mod 0, USN and USMC version, is very similar to the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) of the US Army ,and both are made by KAC.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
M4 Carbine
The XM177 and M16 Carbines led to the eventual development of the M4 Carbine.
Colt tried to determine the optimal shorter length carbine barrel and ultimately determined that (at the time) the shortest they could make the barrel without losing a considerable amount of reliability was 14.5" long.
You may also notice that the M4 barrel has a distinctive "notch" cut in the front of it. This is in order to properly attach the M203 grenade launcher.
Most M4's are also "light under the handguards", meaning that the barrel is skinnier under the handguards, similar to how the current M16 barrels are.
Here you can see an M4 profile barrel.
M4's have adjustable buttstocks like the early M16 carbines, but they are an updated version. M4's without rails have handguards that are "bigger" than most others and include dual heat shields.
It has many of the same features as the M16A4, including the flat top upper, A2 flash hider, pistol grip, and the same fire control group (Safe, Semi, Burst). M4A1's are full auto instead of 3-round Burst and have a thicker barrel profile (under the handguards).
M4's are currently being made and issued by Colt (who has the contract with the US Military) and are seeing more and more use over the M16's in the military, particularly in the US Army.
Colt tried to determine the optimal shorter length carbine barrel and ultimately determined that (at the time) the shortest they could make the barrel without losing a considerable amount of reliability was 14.5" long.
You may also notice that the M4 barrel has a distinctive "notch" cut in the front of it. This is in order to properly attach the M203 grenade launcher.
Most M4's are also "light under the handguards", meaning that the barrel is skinnier under the handguards, similar to how the current M16 barrels are.
Here you can see an M4 profile barrel.
M4's have adjustable buttstocks like the early M16 carbines, but they are an updated version. M4's without rails have handguards that are "bigger" than most others and include dual heat shields.
It has many of the same features as the M16A4, including the flat top upper, A2 flash hider, pistol grip, and the same fire control group (Safe, Semi, Burst). M4A1's are full auto instead of 3-round Burst and have a thicker barrel profile (under the handguards).
M4's are currently being made and issued by Colt (who has the contract with the US Military) and are seeing more and more use over the M16's in the military, particularly in the US Army.
XM177 - The First AR15 Carbines
Also known as the CAR-15 (Colt Automatic Rifle - 15) and the Colt Commando, these short barrel rifles were the first AR15 versions to see action in the US military in Vietnam.
Generally, they had a shorter (11.5") barrel and collapsible stocks, and a different muzzle device called a moderator, although there were different models and variations.
Early versions of this rifle lacked a forward assist while many later models featured one. They were very similar to the M16A1's of the Vietnam era in other ways, such as selector switches (with some exceptions), barrel profiles, and A1 rear fixed sight, pistol grip, etc...
Other M16 Carbines were made as well, but these designs all eventually led to the development and use of the M4 Carbine.
Generally, they had a shorter (11.5") barrel and collapsible stocks, and a different muzzle device called a moderator, although there were different models and variations.
Early versions of this rifle lacked a forward assist while many later models featured one. They were very similar to the M16A1's of the Vietnam era in other ways, such as selector switches (with some exceptions), barrel profiles, and A1 rear fixed sight, pistol grip, etc...
Other M16 Carbines were made as well, but these designs all eventually led to the development and use of the M4 Carbine.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
M16A4
The M16A4 did not feature any radical changes as far as the operating system compared to the M16A2, but the two changes that were made have helped it to become a much better weapon system.
Changes include a flat top upper for mounting of optics or a detachable carry handle and KAC M5 RAS rail system. Like the M16A2, Selector switch is safe, semi, and burst (3 round).
These rifles are being fielded mostly by the USMC and the vast majority of them are currently being made by FN (Fabrique Nationale) for the US Military. However, the full size M16 rifles like these are starting to lose favor in the military, as many units are getting more and more M4 Carbines.
More on the evolution of the original AR15/M16 to come.
Changes include a flat top upper for mounting of optics or a detachable carry handle and KAC M5 RAS rail system. Like the M16A2, Selector switch is safe, semi, and burst (3 round).
These rifles are being fielded mostly by the USMC and the vast majority of them are currently being made by FN (Fabrique Nationale) for the US Military. However, the full size M16 rifles like these are starting to lose favor in the military, as many units are getting more and more M4 Carbines.
More on the evolution of the original AR15/M16 to come.
M16A2
Introduced in 1983 and adopted by all branches a few years later, it featured a longer, stronger buttstock, round handguards, more complex rear sight with different sized apertures, brass deflector, a slightly different pistol grip, closed bottom birdcage flash hider to reduce dust signature and act as a compensator.
It also featured a heavier government profile barrel (light under the handguards) in 1-in-7 twist as a compromise of the best twist rate for the 62g M855 ammo (with a steel penetrator for better performance on Soviet helmets at 600 meters and light cover) and the M856 tracer round (which was much longer than the M855 round due it needing to store the tracer compound). Selector switch, safe, semi, and burst (3 round).
Most changes were prompted by the USMC.
The switch to 3 round burst was added instead of full auto in order to promote more deliberate shooting and ammo conservation. The M16A3 would be exactly like this rifle only to include the option for full auto instead of 3-round burst. The M16A3 is used in some cases by the USN.
The M16A2, although still in use was later replaced by the M16A4.
It also featured a heavier government profile barrel (light under the handguards) in 1-in-7 twist as a compromise of the best twist rate for the 62g M855 ammo (with a steel penetrator for better performance on Soviet helmets at 600 meters and light cover) and the M856 tracer round (which was much longer than the M855 round due it needing to store the tracer compound). Selector switch, safe, semi, and burst (3 round).
Most changes were prompted by the USMC.
The switch to 3 round burst was added instead of full auto in order to promote more deliberate shooting and ammo conservation. The M16A3 would be exactly like this rifle only to include the option for full auto instead of 3-round burst. The M16A3 is used in some cases by the USN.
The M16A2, although still in use was later replaced by the M16A4.
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