I can be a handful. Being friends with me is not often easy. Being a friend with me for twenty five years most certainly an award-worthy achievement. 2014 was something of a signpost year for one of my close friends: he turned 40, got married, and welcomed a son into the world (that was actually 2013, but close enough to include). 2014 also marks 25 years of putting up with my antics, an exceptional achievement deserving of an exceptional reward. My first thought was to present him with a nice Swiss watch...a nice automatic in stainless, but I don't think he would wear it, and I want it to be something he will use...maybe even pass down to his son someday.
I decided to build him a rifle:
The build:
I started with a Colt "Government Profile" M4 Barrel chambered in 5.56 NATO (1/7 twist). I fitted that to a CMMG upper receiver (w/ forward assist) with a CMMG bolt carrier group. I fitted a Troy folding battle sight and a DoubleStar mil-spec charging handle. I finished the upper out with a Knights Armament quad rail and rail covers. I fitted an INGO dust cover for good measure.
For the lower I used a Surplus Arms and Ammo forged lower. These are (supposedly) made by Aero Precision, and the machining and finish are OUTSTANDING, better than my Colt or my old Bushmaster by far. I fitted a CMMG lower parts kit, a mil-spec buffer tube and buffer. I like Hogue-style grips, so I added a Rock River Arms-branded Hogue-stype grip, and a generic ambi safety. I added a Magpul ACS stock because I prefer the modified cheek weld.
To make it "presentation-worthy" I added a basic rifle case and sling, a couple of Gen M3 PMags, and a Magpul "Bullet" take-down pin tool. I also tossed in a set of mil-spec hand guards, stock, grip , and dust cover. Sort of an "AR-15 Starter Kit"
He would never consider buying an AR-15 of his own, but he is a military rifle guy (mostly Dubya Dubya Eye Eye stuff), so it seems right to me.
What do you guys think of my idea?
I decided to build him a rifle:
The build:
I started with a Colt "Government Profile" M4 Barrel chambered in 5.56 NATO (1/7 twist). I fitted that to a CMMG upper receiver (w/ forward assist) with a CMMG bolt carrier group. I fitted a Troy folding battle sight and a DoubleStar mil-spec charging handle. I finished the upper out with a Knights Armament quad rail and rail covers. I fitted an INGO dust cover for good measure.
For the lower I used a Surplus Arms and Ammo forged lower. These are (supposedly) made by Aero Precision, and the machining and finish are OUTSTANDING, better than my Colt or my old Bushmaster by far. I fitted a CMMG lower parts kit, a mil-spec buffer tube and buffer. I like Hogue-style grips, so I added a Rock River Arms-branded Hogue-stype grip, and a generic ambi safety. I added a Magpul ACS stock because I prefer the modified cheek weld.
To make it "presentation-worthy" I added a basic rifle case and sling, a couple of Gen M3 PMags, and a Magpul "Bullet" take-down pin tool. I also tossed in a set of mil-spec hand guards, stock, grip , and dust cover. Sort of an "AR-15 Starter Kit"
He would never consider buying an AR-15 of his own, but he is a military rifle guy (mostly Dubya Dubya Eye Eye stuff), so it seems right to me.
What do you guys think of my idea?