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Originally Posted by TriggerHappy
When I first started looking at options, I couldn't decide between 16" or 20". The 18" popped up as an option and I thought a perfect split for the decision. Have had my mind set on that since then but it sounds like it might be tough to get that and a mid length paired up.
I appreciate that Jim! Any help and direction on this is great.
For what it's worth, I put together an 18" barreled rifle and really liked the way it felt and the way it balanced. (Yes, the free float tube is kind of a 1980's/90's throwback but it was cheap)
I can't give you my impressions of it beyond that because I never got around to putting optics on it and actually shooting it before I needed funds for something else and parted it out and sold it.
The barrel actually started life as a 20" barrel and I just had Bert (BPTactical) cut it down to 18" and thread it.
Maybe not as tough as I thought. While I am not a huge fan of DPMS, they do have a good reputation for having accurate barrels. Kaiser.Shooter was kind enough to point this one out.
Well, I got a start on the build finally. I did pick up a Stag Arms lower parts kit and have it partially assembled. The fun begins!
We looked at a lot of options at the gun show and my son and I liked the Magpul CTR stock as an option. How would that figure in to the scheme of what I'm trying to build? Would it be a show stopper?
Build within your budget then revamp from there. You see more Gemsall over the internet, someone thought would look great on their gun. 2 weeks later it's for sale @ 1/2 price. The trading post is a good start for browsing acc for good prices. I'd wager a good portion of board members have something on their firearms that was purchased used here. Want to browse through containers of crap (oops) GEMS, stop on by.
The Great Kazoo's Feedback
"when you're happy you enjoy the melody but, when you're broken you understand the lyrics".
Just got done building an 18" middy for a buddy.
They aren't hard to find, but light weight 18" are a bit difficult. Most are match heavy barrels. The one I built used a Rainier Arms 18" ultra match, 1:8 223 Wylde chamber. Pricy but shoots like a dream. Definitely not light weight though. But not terrible heavy.
The CTR would be fine on your build, if that's what you like.
I found an upper pretty close to what I was looking for with a little heavier barrel. It is an 18" Stainless mid-length with an aluminum free float barrell made by Specialized Dynamics. I just need the CTR stock and a winter trigger guard and will be ready to take it out and put it through the paces. It's getting exciting around here!
I am a fan of piston over gas. Dump a few mags in a short period of time and that CLP cooks off pritty quick. One will not have that issue with a piston system. Less foul and runs cooler...but a bit more expensive and a bit heavier simply because it is more metal.
Check out LWRC
Just trying to expand your options.
i would go with a heavier contour or a shorter barrel. a lot of the barrels accuracy comes from its stiffness. think of a piece of spaghetti, the longer it is the more it wabbles and the shorter you make it the stiffer it gets. any gas system longer than carbine will do good. longer gas systems will give you softer recoil pulses. 1x8 twist so you can shoot anything from 40 granin to 77 grain. if you want a high end build i would go with polygonal rifling. it has a tighter gas seal and produces more fps also less bullet deformation. i would use a stainless barrel and get it cryoed. i would also use a stiffer upper like vltor mod.(already cryoed). get a quality bolt and carrier. free float handgaurd. quality lower. good trigger like a timney or such. make it worth being a scope only gun. and get a set of backup flip ups. for the kids you can get a hydraulic buffer for softer recoil impulses. grips, stocks,bipod, lights, slings and other accessories. just some ideas, my 2 cents.
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