Triangle Tactical Podcast and Blog on Guns, Gear, and Competition Shooting
Back on election night around 10:00pm, when it became apparent that Obama was going to win re-election, I went on a little online shopping spree. I purchased a couple AR lower receivers, and an A2 lower parts kit. It’s obvious why I purchased the lower receivers, but even I wasn’t quite sure why I purchased the A2 LPK.
Anyways, I received everything, and built the A2 lower a week or so ago. The kit I purchased was from Palmetto State Armory, and it went together without issue. I headed down to the Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center last night for the monthly Action Rifle match, and shot the newly built lower (first time I’d shot it) with my primary upper attached to it.
Holy crap!
I couldn’t hardly believe how soft that rifle length buffer system made the rifle shoot. I could literally run the trigger as fast as could pull it, and my sights never moved from the target. Some of this could be due to the extra weight of the A2 buttstock, but I think most of it had to do with the buffer system.
For some time now, I’ve been considering building a rifle just for the shooting sports, and now I believe I’ll slowly begin gathering parts for the build. Here’s the plan:
- 18″ .223 barrel, with rifle length gas system
- Miculek Compensator (I’ve used these in the past, and I think they work as well as the $$$ comps)
- Some sort of long free-float tube without any rails/sights/etc.
- Standard upper
- Standard BCG (for now at least)
I’m still on the fence about which optic I’d like to run, but thankfully I’ve got some time before I need to worry too much about that.
If you have any suggestions on parts I should consider, let me know in the comments below.
Yes, the rifle length buffer makes a big difference. Particularly the heavy buffer and long spring. The longer the gas tube, the lower the pressure. All this
slowes the bolt cycle and softens the feel.
The Miculek comp is one of the most efficient brakes/comps out there.
One more thing you might consider on a match gun besides the obvious high quality barrel, its an adjustable gas system.
Get up with me and I'll let you try my Barnes before you build yours. You'll love it.
Jeff
Will do Jeff, I won't be building mine any time soon, just starting to gather some parts.
When should the recoil springs in a 1911 be changed? After 1,000 rounds? After 5,000 rounds?
Do you know when the military armorers change springs? The SOF guys?
Skip, I believe the military uses the Beretta M9, as the 1911 was phased out in the 1980's. Some USMC units have purchased some new 1911's recently, but I'm not sure how often they are changing springs. If you think it needs to be changed, I don't think you would hurt anything by changing it. I've got a Glock 17 that has over 20,000 rounds through it on the factory spring with no issues.
The JM compensators are the $$$ ones. There is no reason for a comp to cost I’ve $50.