Hello.
So I have this job-related need to tote around an AR carbine. Actually, in addition to the carbine I also tote an M1A and a 590 shotgun and a couple handguns. It gets a bit cumbersome most of the time, let me assure you. Thank god for in-vehicle carry and not over-the-shoulder carry.... <grin>
I took a few photos to show you what I've done with my "base" carbine to make it more individualized for my tastes. Keep in mind that I am in no way endorsing what brands or products are shown here. Several other really good doo-dads have been field tested and cast off, and this is what I am left with and what I have stayed with in order to train and stay familiar with my carbines controls. I have tried to keep things as simple as I could, but obviously I failed because if I was going for simple I would have a very basic rifle/carbine with nothing added.
My carbine was born as a 16" A3 flat-top with a foliage green pistol grip and telescoping stock and round carbine-length handguards. And here it is after some field evaluations and mods.
I replaced the handguards for some Magpul MOEs. And added a Magpul left-side MOE picatinney mount for a Streamlight TLR-1. I tried the high-output TLRs and they were actually too bright at normal distances. I hate tape and pressure switches and their cords and limited accessability from only the hand it was set up for. This setup allows me a comfortable grip on the handguard with either my left or right support hand giving me momentary or constant switching using a simple tap on the toggle. And any shadow cast by the weapon light is downward (GOOD). Upward shadows are (BAD) ju-ju.
For sights I have an F-marked A-2 FSB and an EoTech XPS holo sight with a GG&G rear BUIS. Oli700 maybe turned me on to the GG&G quality and robustness and repeatable clicks that their sight provides. Or perhaps he didn't. We may never know....
I also traded out the small EoTech mounting screw for a YHM oversized thumb knob screw, which allows me to detach the EoTech in a couple seconds if something really has gone wrong with that accessory.
I tried desparately to get a good photo of the absolute co-witness of the EoTech reticle and the irons but I screwed this pic up...
You can see on the lower reciever that I have a single point QD sling attachment courtesy of Noveske, and Magpul MS3 QD Sling, and also a Magpul B.A.D. Lever.
I like the B.A.D. Lever because it just plain works for both right- and left-hand shooters and if the damn thing breaks nothing is lost because the original OEM bolt-stop is still there and is unaffected. Reloads with a B.A.D. Lever are very much improved and clearing malfs by locking the bolt back is just easy-peasy.
The MS3 QD Sling transitions from a single point attachment which is great for shooting on-the-go...
... to a two-point sling for climbing and handcuffing and weapon security in about two seconds. This 2-point allows me to do an over-the-shoulder carry which looks less intimidating if choose to do that. I use a GI front sling mount for its greater width to attach the clip under stress, rather than the small rings I have tried and found I had to "hit just right" to snap the clip into. It looks crude but the GI sling mount is much easier to clip on the go.
Going back to a single point connection takes a mere two seconds. The MS3 QD is a pretty good sling.
And last is something that many of you already have noticed: a Raptor charging handle. It is just amazing, and coupled with the B.A.D. Lever and the single point sling when shooting left-handed and dealing with failure drills and such the Raptor is really in line with what I wanted to accomplish.
So.....
My carbine has had plenty of stuff replaced but very little ( the TLR light and B.A.D. Lever) added so I didn't really add many ounces and I tried to keep it pretty simple from the standpoint of having a rifle that shoots left-handed as well as right-handed.
Damn.
I think this is the longest post I have ever done.
Sorry, guys.
So I have this job-related need to tote around an AR carbine. Actually, in addition to the carbine I also tote an M1A and a 590 shotgun and a couple handguns. It gets a bit cumbersome most of the time, let me assure you. Thank god for in-vehicle carry and not over-the-shoulder carry.... <grin>
I took a few photos to show you what I've done with my "base" carbine to make it more individualized for my tastes. Keep in mind that I am in no way endorsing what brands or products are shown here. Several other really good doo-dads have been field tested and cast off, and this is what I am left with and what I have stayed with in order to train and stay familiar with my carbines controls. I have tried to keep things as simple as I could, but obviously I failed because if I was going for simple I would have a very basic rifle/carbine with nothing added.
My carbine was born as a 16" A3 flat-top with a foliage green pistol grip and telescoping stock and round carbine-length handguards. And here it is after some field evaluations and mods.
I replaced the handguards for some Magpul MOEs. And added a Magpul left-side MOE picatinney mount for a Streamlight TLR-1. I tried the high-output TLRs and they were actually too bright at normal distances. I hate tape and pressure switches and their cords and limited accessability from only the hand it was set up for. This setup allows me a comfortable grip on the handguard with either my left or right support hand giving me momentary or constant switching using a simple tap on the toggle. And any shadow cast by the weapon light is downward (GOOD). Upward shadows are (BAD) ju-ju.
For sights I have an F-marked A-2 FSB and an EoTech XPS holo sight with a GG&G rear BUIS. Oli700 maybe turned me on to the GG&G quality and robustness and repeatable clicks that their sight provides. Or perhaps he didn't. We may never know....
I also traded out the small EoTech mounting screw for a YHM oversized thumb knob screw, which allows me to detach the EoTech in a couple seconds if something really has gone wrong with that accessory.
I tried desparately to get a good photo of the absolute co-witness of the EoTech reticle and the irons but I screwed this pic up...
You can see on the lower reciever that I have a single point QD sling attachment courtesy of Noveske, and Magpul MS3 QD Sling, and also a Magpul B.A.D. Lever.
I like the B.A.D. Lever because it just plain works for both right- and left-hand shooters and if the damn thing breaks nothing is lost because the original OEM bolt-stop is still there and is unaffected. Reloads with a B.A.D. Lever are very much improved and clearing malfs by locking the bolt back is just easy-peasy.
The MS3 QD Sling transitions from a single point attachment which is great for shooting on-the-go...
... to a two-point sling for climbing and handcuffing and weapon security in about two seconds. This 2-point allows me to do an over-the-shoulder carry which looks less intimidating if choose to do that. I use a GI front sling mount for its greater width to attach the clip under stress, rather than the small rings I have tried and found I had to "hit just right" to snap the clip into. It looks crude but the GI sling mount is much easier to clip on the go.
Going back to a single point connection takes a mere two seconds. The MS3 QD is a pretty good sling.
And last is something that many of you already have noticed: a Raptor charging handle. It is just amazing, and coupled with the B.A.D. Lever and the single point sling when shooting left-handed and dealing with failure drills and such the Raptor is really in line with what I wanted to accomplish.
So.....
My carbine has had plenty of stuff replaced but very little ( the TLR light and B.A.D. Lever) added so I didn't really add many ounces and I tried to keep it pretty simple from the standpoint of having a rifle that shoots left-handed as well as right-handed.
Damn.
I think this is the longest post I have ever done.
Sorry, guys.
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