Alright, motherbitches... I have returned with what can only be described as the most gnarly of Tilted Weaponry super porn posts!
Now that I’m independently wealthy (HAH!), I’ve decided to reward myself with a “dream rifle” assembled out of parts made by top quality main stream fightin' man weapon manufacturers. I find it to be an amazing toy; the kinda piece that is made by ancient dwarven blacksmiths out of old Harley motorcycle engine blocks and the melted down receivers of WW1 machine guns. No gimmicky bullshit and no safe queen treatment; this gun is going to be rode hard and put away wet. I received the last component this afternoon and put it all together for this mediocre photo shoot. I'll do a range report of some sort next week to confirm that KirStang already knows first hand: no amount of money will ever make me a decent shot.
Read ‘em and weep.
First, the porn:
Now for the specs:
Upper Receiver:
* Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) upper receiver with 16” 1-in-7 government profile barrel and mid-length gas system
The mid length gas system (9.8” versus 7.5” carbine) changes the gas impulse from solid tap to a more gentle push. It may also increase reliability on action parts but not that'd I'd ever notice. The 1-7” rifling offers improved accuracy with heavier loads (62 to 77 grain bullet weights). The government profile is a skinny “pencil profile” underneath the hand guard and makes the weapon lighter on the front end by shaving off a few ounces.
* Viking Tactics (VTAC) (by Daniel Defense) TRX 13” Extreme free float hand guard with rail insert panels and RSM QD sling mount
The thinner extended free float hand guard is really ergonomic and allows you to really push your support hand forward on the gun to better “drive it” for follow-up shots on one target as well as assisting in traversing between targets. It features bolt-on 1913 rail panels for accessories (pistol grip, flashlights) and a low profile sling mount point.
* Fail Zero nickel boron coated bolt carrier group (bolt, bolt carrier, firing pin, cam pin, etc.)
Nickel boron is an extremely hard non-porous metal finish and has been torture tested in weapon components by very famous guys with well-groomed beards. It supposedly prevents the caked on accumulations of carbon seen on standard phosphate coated internals and can be quickly cleaned to field standards without harsh chemicals or scraping. I'm not really worried about reliability nor do I intend on firing 15k rounds without cleaning my blaster; I just want to make it easier to clean every 1k rounds.
* Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) (by VLTOR) Gunfighter Model 5 charging handle
The charging handle is one of the most important controls on the weapon and this improved design may prevent "pulling a Walt" as it distributes stress more evenly The Gunfighter Model 5 is the only model worth owning; the other models are way too big and catch on gear like crazy, pulling the weapon out of battery.
* Daniel Defense A1.5 bolt-on fixed front iron sight with Trijicon tritium front sight post
Flip-up sights are for chumps. I’m all about running fixed iron sights and Daniel Defense makes the best ones on the market. The tritium (glow in the dark) inserts are too Gucci for some guys but I’ve a positive experience with them. Being able to immediately orient my iron sights in total darkness is something I value, especially for home defense.
* Daniel Defense A1.5 bolt-on fixed rear iron sight with Trijicon tritium aperture ring
Again, flip-up sights are for chumps. I prefer to cowitness my optics (iron sight and red dot both aim on the same aiming line) so that if my optic goes down, I can still look through it and engage the target without wasting time and losing my sight picture by taking my hand off the front of the rifle to flip up a BUIS (backup iron sight). You can't break it. Again, the tritium two-dot rear aperture is for those "oh shit" moments.
* EOTech XPS2-0 electronic red dot sight (1 MOA dot with 65 MOA ring)
You can argue EOTech / Aimpoint for a million years. People do it every day. It's stupid. I'm an EOTech guy until further notice. I like the big window, I like the 1 MOA dot and I like the fact that it didn't cost $700.
* Surefire X300 LED weapon flashlight
It's small, it's tough, it's bright as fuck. It sits on the 12 o'clock position where I can access it with either thumb. I've never owned a Surefire before (because I'm a cheap bastard) and I'm not really liking the poopy-feeling stiff activation paddles, but it's small and has a good reputation.
Lower Receiver:
* Knight’s Armament (KAC) SR-15 IWS lower receiver; 4.5# match trigger, integrated ambi controls (selector switch, bolt release, mag release)
The AR's biggest flaw is lack of ambidextrous controls, especially since almost every other modern assault rifle on the planet has ambi controls. While incredibly expensive, the Knight's SR-15 IWS lower incorporates things that I would have had to buy separately (match trigger, ambi controls, and fancy SOPMOD stock) so it works out in my favor to just buy the one lower receiver with all the goodies I want already installed. Unlike bolt-on ambi controls (Norgon mag release, Magpul bolt release), these integrated controls aren't going to snag on my gear or interfere with the normal manual of arms (and thus cause training scars). The match trigger is smooth and deliberate (I prefer a flat trigger surface to this rounded one, but whatever).
* Magpul MOE+ pistol grip (coming soon)
Even though one is currently mounted on the gun, I don't like GI pistol grips. I have a pretty long palm (orangutan-style) and thus prefer larger girth pistol grips (ex: one of my favorite pistols is the H&K USP 45). The Magpul MIAD with large insert is my all time favorite but it won't work on the KAC lower due to the placement of the rear takedown pin detent/spring. The MOE+ was the next best choice.
* LMT SOPMOD buttstock (replaced by Magpul MOE stock soon)
Everybody loves the hell out of the LMT SOPMOD buttstock. I have no idea why. I find the wide saddle to cock my head to the side uncomfortably when I square up and it doesn't ride as well with my body armor so I'm replacing this $212 piece of plastic with a $57 piece of plastic that doesn't throw off my groove. That and I don't need to carry a dozen CR123 batteries on my weapon, either.
* Noveske lower receiver end plate QD sling mount
The Noveske QD end plate is the cheapest thing on the gun and one of the most important for me. Having the sling attached to the back of the receiver instead of the side makes it a million times easier to flip the rifle shoulders without binding. As Charles Barkley used to say in those deodorant ads: Anything less would be uncivilized.
* Emdom/Military Morons Gunslinger adjustable two-point / one-point sling
The best rifle sling on the market. It doesn't have a heavy metal adjustment (Viking) or superfluous straps (Viking, Vickers) or require different motions for tightening / loosening (Viking). It is nice and wide, the hardware is flat and it can accept whatever attachment you prefer (QD, HK, etc.).
...
Also:
New Glock 19
- Factory smooth trigger (G19 stock serrated trigger is crap)
- Tru Dot tritium night sights (gotta be able to see in the dark)
- Vickers slide release (good compromise on size)
- Vickers mag release (good compromise on size)
...
Current state of my old blaster, the trusty RRA that has yet to turn to dust in my hands:
