New Stag Model 3L needs upgrading.

[Icecoldviper]

Just got it from Machine gun tours @ tanner on Sunday and I'm a total AR15 noob. Been looking for awhile so i kinda know what i want it to look like not sure on a few things.

I want to do a Free floating quad rail but want to keep the gun on the light side was thinking a LaRue 7" or 9" not sure how hard or what kinda tools i need to install one. My gun has the stock gas block on it not sure if I should get a lower one to put rail over it or not.

Then I need to put some Irons on it. I really like Troy folding battlesights with the tritium to make it easy to see in the dark. They don't make a front sight to work with the gas block tho. Does anyone else make something like it? maybe i should just get a longer rail and mount it on it. What do you guys think of that sight?

Then looking for a red dot not sure what i really like does anyone around here carry them in stock so i could compare them? EOTechs I think look the coolest but for function I'm not so sure.

Plan on doing more like mounted light, grip, maybe a different stock, sling etc but for now thats where I'm at. Btw its a plinker/SHTF gun.

[7idl]

not sure who's left in the area with stuff to drool on, so many places have closed their doors.

if you can find your way to a 3 gun competition, there should be a qood variety of optics and set ups that pretty much everyone would be glad to talk about and let you take a look at. (don't forget to bring your own stuff so you can shoot as well) ;)



you could also attend one of our monthly shoots, lots of guys with lots of hardware

[ryanek9freak]

I was gonna get a VLTOR low profile gas block to solve the optics problem, but then my buddy just gave me his old stock one, so I just took my band saw to it and cut the sight posts off. Works great!

[Marlin]

Well, if you can find all the parts you need (want) I do have the tools to put them in place..

[Icecoldviper]

Ya i guess ill take a look into the 3 gun.

Thanks Marlin i may take you up on that. I found a video on LaRues sight and doesn't look to bad with the right tools.

Its this model http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=13_21&products_id=215
If i was to get a longer rail you think the rail would clear the block? If not think i could cut off some of the top to get it in there?

[Icecoldviper]

Oh and probably the most important question i forgot to ask. Should I just go shoot it or do some kind of lube/cleaning job to it first? Can anyone point me to a good and complete cleaning kit?

[DOC]

Simple Green and clean it like a dish.

[Marlin]

DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN, it will mess up the finish.. The Army doesn't allow it..

CLP or a good commercial cleaner.. SW or Gander sells the cleaning kits.. For the most part civilian equals to GI issue, but they work and have everything you need. I'd clean it first,, Just because...

[CO-FreeShooter]

not sure who's left in the area with stuff to drool on, so many places have closed their doors.

if you can find your way to a 3 gun competition, there should be a qood variety of optics and set ups that pretty much everyone would be glad to talk about and let you take a look at. (don't forget to bring your own stuff so you can shoot as well) ;)



you could also attend one of our monthly shoots, lots of guys with lots of hardware
The place I have found that has the most AR after market parts is the firing line. They have a case that has alot of tangodown, magpul and vltor parts. I actually bought my vltor from Midway along with the tangodown battlegrip. Find what you want, then take a look on ebay. They don't have any operating parts, but when it comes to accessories, they have a good amount. I have the model 2tl, you picked a damn good manufacturer. Good luck!!

[Icecoldviper]

Okay think I found what I want to add to my first ar.

http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=8&cat=2 eotech 557.ar223 or
http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=27&cat=2 eotech 517.65
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=50 LaRue Tactical 9.0" Handguard LT15-9
http://troyind.com/FrontFoldingM4Tritium.html Troy front folding battlesight with Tritium
http://troyind.com/RearFoldingTritium.html Troy rear folding battlesight with tritium
http://troyind.com/ModularGrip.html TROY Modular Combat Grips
http://troyind.com/railcovers.html 3pack troy rail covers black
http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=107 Daniel defense low profile gas block
http://www.bowerstactical.com/store/norgon-ambicatch-p-1186.html Ambi catch (mag release)

What you guys think? Look good? Anything you would do differently? Anything i am missing? Now just to find where to get all of it...

[CO-FreeShooter]

everything looks good, i would also look at magpul and tangodown rail guards. If you mix and match, it makes ur rifle more unique. As well as check out the low pro gas block by stag. You have a stag already,you should stick with the parts that go with the manufacturer. Thats just my opinion, if you need ideas, check out the thread "evil black rifles" mine is on there. also check out the tango down fvg it is cheaper than the troy, and it has a pocket for a pressure switch. hope this helps. you picked a good maker for an AR.

[Icecoldviper]

everything looks good, i would also look at magpul and tangodown rail guards. If you mix and match, it makes ur rifle more unique. As well as check out the low pro gas block by stag. You have a stag already,you should stick with the parts that go with the manufacturer. Thats just my opinion, if you need ideas, check out the thread "evil black rifles" mine is on there. also check out the tango down fvg it is cheaper than the troy, and it has a pocket for a pressure switch. hope this helps. you picked a good maker for an AR.

I was thinking the Troy gaurds cause they have a 3 pack for 35 bucks where as the others are 15 bucks each... i dont know maybe im just being cheap...

thanks for throwing the tango down vertical grip out there i think im going to go with that instead.

How come no one told me i missed the light? lol. I have no idea what to look for in one i would like one with a pressure switch and be able to mount it on the left side. What would you guys recommend?

[CO-FreeShooter]

I went with the SureFire 6P Defender with a larue mount. It works well. I don't have the pressure switch cuz mine is mounted just infront of the VFG. I use my knuckle to turn it on and off. I know that isn't the best method, but i am being cheap right now and not getting the pressure switch. I believe you can get them online at almost any place they sell SureFire. I like the light cuz it has a jagged bevel. Hope this helps. And that thread was under Photo Gallery "Evil black guns" if you wanna peep mine.

[BadShot]

Another rail option for you is a Daniel Defense 9.5 or 12.0 FSP lite rail .. Troy is also making a new rail system that is seriously lower weight than anyone else (8.5 OZ for their 12" MFR version). Don't get me wrong, you won't be doing yourself wrong at all by going with LaRue.. I personally just like the weight reduction of the DD or Troy rails.. all three are as good as it gets with FF tactical rails.

Daniel Defenese: http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/browse&category=railsystems_ar15literails

Troy Industries: http://troyind.com/MRFRails.html

For a light.. there's a rolling trend with a lot of folks to reduce weight and foot print. Low profile traditionally relegated to Pistols type lights (Surefire X200/X300 and Streamlight TLR-1/2's) are really effective options. I've recently changed over to Streamlight TLR-1's on 2 of my rifles now and absolutely love it over the SureFire G-2 LED's I had on them. Still either light option works great.

Rail covers.. bleh.. complet personal choice here. I run ladder covers because I like the lower profile and extra little bit of grip. I know plenty of folks who like the new MagPul kits.

For the Optic.. Unless you're hard set on CR123 batteries, you'll get a good deal picking up a used 512.

Something else to think about is a LaRue Po'Boy 2.5x flip to side magnifier... it's a great option for added the ability to reach out to 300+ yards and flips out of the way to let you run the red dot without it being in the way.

Verticle grips.. again personal choice. I've been dealing with a bum shoulder for years but have finally decided that I like the VFG further out on the rail (pretty much as far out as I can get it).. to that end I'm swapping over to stubby grips. The longer traditional VFG's interfere with prone and supported shooting when that far out on the rail. Both Troy and LaRue have excellent offerings here.

Excellent choice on the BUIS, another more afforable option is the MagPul MBUIS sets. No trittium that I know of, though you might have the ability to swap out the front sight post.

As to the gun itself ... ask around and see if anyone here can help with restaking the Gas Key. It's most likely well enough done to sufice, but it never hurts to take the extra step to make sure that is done correctly. Replace the extractor spring with a heavier one .. plenty of extractor reliability upgrade kits available out there for really good prices. There's some good reading about the why's and differences here and a few other places.

Snag a pin and spring parts kit and maybe even a spare bolt and firing pin. Just handy things to have as ready spares in your range bag.

MagPul PMag's are pretty much the cat's meow for mags. I run a mix of both metal and PMag's.. both run very well, but my ready mags are all PMag's. Take that for what it's worth and YMMV.

So the AR is a very durable platform but runs better when lubed correctly and heavily. Run em' wet. Plenty to read around here about care and feeding.

Cleaning, well here again.. everyone has thier own ways. I clean my AR's somewhere between 500 and 1000 rounds. I rarely if ever have issues with funtional reliability in my 5.56 AR's, my 9mm.. well that's a finicky pig :)

Other's clean after every range trip or what not. Just depends on you. Keep it lubricated and clear of significant debre and have fun!

Welcome to the additiction..

[CO-FreeShooter]

I have been 1-uped.[Rant2]

[BadShot]

Nah, I just took a really long time saving pennies for my last AR..

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7854&page=15

It's evolved very little since then... dropped the G2, added the TLR-1, Vickers Padded Sling, QD sling mounts and all that along with it for buffer tube and rail mounts. Still need to put the Stubby VFG on it too.

[Icecoldviper]

Nice guns guys! Thanks for the info on the troy rails being so lite. Thinking i am going to get a troy 9" its like half the weight of the larue 9". Think i may go with the ladders to. You guys rock :D

[BadShot]

If you're already considering the lo-pro gas block, think about going longer with the rails, 12 or 13" for the little extra bit of sight radius. Not to mention, it just looks cooler :)

Another interesting trend that seems to be taking hold is putting the pistol light (TLR or X-200's) out in front of the front sight. the rational is that if you have to get the forend up on a barrier, you're light is not going to interfere and you won't be throwing a muzzle shadow.

I can't confirm how well this works other than from reading other reviews from folks I respect. All said and told, this is yet another option in the AR-15 Lego's world

[CO-FreeShooter]

Nah, I just took a really long time saving pennies for my last AR..

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7854&page=15

It's evolved very little since then... dropped the G2, added the TLR-1, Vickers Padded Sling, QD sling mounts and all that along with it for buffer tube and rail mounts. Still need to put the Stubby VFG on it too.

I'm not talking about being one up'ed on the rifle side, i am talking about the novel of suggestions you wrote.

[BadShot]

Ah ... well Hi.. I'm BadShot and I'm addicted to gadgets and gear..