Thursday, November 12, 2009

You Can Customize an AR???

So I've had my Bushmaster for nearly a year now. I've added a scope to it thanks to Ambulance Driver, and I've purchased or been given a goodly amount of pre-ban magazines. Aside from that, though, it's remained in the same configuration that it was in when I brought it home.

There's something horrifically wrong with that.

The AR-15 based rifles are noted for their modularity - the ability to change uppers for different calibers, change between carrying handle and flat-tops, have different barrel lengths, etc. - and I have yet to take advantage of this strength. Well, that's about to change... There are several improvements I'd like to make for the time being:
  • Upgrade the pistol grip. It's got the stock Bushie grip, which isn't the most comfortable grip possible. I like the looks of the Hogue grip (big shock there) but am open to other suggestions.
  • New stock. Being in MA, I can't have an adjustable stock on a new semi-automatic rifle without running afoul of the accursed Assault Weapons Ban (fuck you Mitt RINO Romney). Therefore, having a collapsible stock that's pinned in one position makes about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. I really like the looks of the ACE Skeleton stock, but there's a bunch of other sweet looking stocks out there as well.
  • Handguard/forend. Realistically, I just want something I can jam a cheap vertical forend grip on just because I can (and it makes liberal gun-grabbers wet their pants). Something like this, perhaps, that gives me the option of a rail for a forend/bipod, lights, or scout-type scope. However, the Hogue forend looks mighty slick, and is available in OD green as well...
  • Flattop upper with a 20-24" barrel. Something like this for more serious long distance work. This is the least likely of the add-ons for now, given that it's by a significant margin the most expensive option.

So many options, so little money - what should I change first???

That is all.

17 comments:

TOTWTYTR said...

Funny, I'm looking for a 16" upper to go with my Bushie 20". I'm not going to go all tacticool with mine, but I do want better sites, perhaps a Red Dot. Maybe a flashlight holder too.

That's about it.

wolfwalker said...

So many options, so little money - what should I change first???That is all.

Well, of all the things you could do to it, which one do you want the most?

(wv: autanous. Looks like it should mean something, but what?)

West, By God said...

I have a pink handguard set I can send you :)

Sigboy said...

Fair warning on that Hogue grip. I have one on my AR, at somewhere around 5 below, the rubber gets super hard and it is difficult to hold.

Anonymous said...

you could always go with some color:

http://www.cavalryarms.com/furniture.html

-SayUncle

Jay G said...

TOTWTYTR,

Heh, maybe we oughta just swap uppers...

I'm not lookin for tacticool so much as "make Sarah Brady wet herself".

I'd like a carbine with a red dot sight and a 20-24" rifle with a ~ 12X scope for long distance. It can be accomplished with the same lower, I believe...

wolfwalker,

That's just it - I really don't know. I think the pistol forend grip is what I'd like to change first, although the pistol grip is the cheapest (and easiest) to swap.

WBG,

That'll come a little later, when BabyGirl G. is ready to start shooting.

Although she may insist on an AR-10...

Sigboy,

I can honestly say that your problem will not be my problem... 5 below I'm shootin' on the indoor range...

Unc,

That's a thought, too. Given that MA has the stupid AWB, go with the retro handguard and stock, but in desert tan or OD green.

Or find one of those places that makes wood furniture. That'd be a hoot...

Wally said...

Jay,
CAA makes inexpensive rails that attach to standard handguards. I have on of the real short ones under the 635.

20" 1/8 would be about the best for long range accuracy. The sky is the limit for AR mods... GL!

Mike W. said...

I'm going to go ahead and suggest an expensive option.

http://anothergunblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/big-brown-truck.html

Spike's .22 upper. It's a ton of fun!

The Magpul Miad grip is really nice. My brother has one on his AR. I have the crappy Bushy grip as well and am not a fan.

Murphy said...

'what should I change first???'

Your address. C'mon now, a non-adjustable collapsable stock? Hmm, guess it makes butt-stroking a hippy that much easier...

Not really towards modularity but I didn't see it in the photo, something to consider if'n you don't already have it: a plain old sling for long distance work.

doubletrouble said...

You might try a Stark pistol grip.

http://www.starkequipment.com/

The guy is the engineer, manufacturer, sales & marketing manager, & CEO- AOW, it's a one family show. I met him at a show w/his young son tagging along; Paul carries his product, among other retailers...

Made in Manchester, NH.

Revolver 223 said...

I'm fond of the ERGO Grips (Model 1 carries 'em) and they are only about $20.

The ACE stocks are nice -- a buddy has an SBR using one and its *fun*.

I picked up the new Magpul MOE Handguard. Darn sexy, great price, and takes rail inserts so you can add rails at like 8 different angles.

Fairly new RSS follower, nice blog, keep it up!

Alan said...

Flat top upper is very handy if you're gonna do any long range shooting with a scope. Trying to fit a 10x scope on a carry handle just doesn't work out well.

Rick R. said...

JG,

If you want to avoid teh expence of getting a dedicated long range upper, I would recommend the free-float railed forearm you linked.

Another advantage of a free floated railed end is you can attach your forward sling swivel to the forearm, so no matter how tight you pull it, it won't affect the barrel. That will give you your Sarah Brady pants-wetting vertical foregrip capability AND significantly improve the long capacity of this rifle.

You could even go whole-hog on the vertical foregrip idea, and get a Grip-Pod. Makes Sarah Brady cry, AND you've got a bipod for long range stuff in the prone. (It's not a Harris bipod, but it's more stable than your hand.) I picked up a Grip-Pod (probably a CHinese knock-off, I didn't bother checking) for $20 off Flea-Bay.

Even better -- these things come with spring loaded legs, so you can push a button and they deploy with a CLACK! (I took teh spring out of mine for that reason. . . )

ZOMG! An Eeeee-ville SWITCHBLADE bipod and "assault grip"!!! It's a "assualt SNIPER RIFLE"!!!{snicker}

ZerCool said...

Are you happy with the scope mount and the height over the bore? I'm seriously thinking about scoping my A2 setup (you shot it at BlogShoot) but I'm not sure about the quality of cheek weld I'm going to get...

In other news, I have an ERGO grip on mine and love it. LOVE. The over-mold hand-specific version, specifically.

Eric R. Shelton said...

I'd take note of the bad reviews the free float you linked to has received. But a free float is the only thing you've mentioned that will actually change the shooting characteristics- I'm a big believer in 'em.

I'd suggest a Viking Tactics free float tube, by JP enterprises. Free float for accuracy, much lighter than the Hogue, and gives you the option of attaching rails where you want 'em.

Pop N Fresh said...

if you got the money: two stage non adjustable geissele trigger. Best invention since hookers. For a quick/cheap fix on a foregrip you could slap a Midwest Industries handguard rail on your setup, it's like having rails but only 2 inches of em where you need em for like $15. If you wanted Sarah Brady to not only shit herself but be driven so far into madness she would then rub the shit in her hair while crying in the fetal position you could always mount an Remington 870 MCS to those fancy rails. oh yeah and +1 for the ergo grip.

dr mac said...

First change the lower receiver to a pre-ban. Then...