[seagiant]

Hi,
Decided to build a 12.5 Pistol as something a little easier to carry in a truck or an around the house defense weapon.

Most that I saw at my LGS were expensive and did not have what I really wanted in the build.

I had a Tactical Machine Lower left from 3 I purchased at one time.

Faced the upper EXPO receiver, to get everything as straight as possible, removed about .005 to get square and flat face.

I show a pic of the upper on a flat mill vise with a square, this proves nothing for accuracy of course, but was just curious and in for the education.

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Got my Lo Pro Gas Block, this is a Ballistic Advantage "Blem" Gas Block to go with the BA 12.5 Nitride Barrel.

Made a Jig to set the Gas Block straight and will divot drill for the set screws in the Mill.

Will double check "center" on the barrel to set screw marks with a center finder and the Mill DRO.

Hopefully one will match the other!

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
On the TM Lower I went ahead and did the set screw upgrade for the Thumb Safety and the Rear Take Down pin.

This is where you go in and just tap the original hole for a SS set screw.

On the Safety Mod the spring is cut and the original plunger is replaced with a steel ball.

It actually makes the safety "snappier" and more secure to me?

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Just some of the Parts I'm using.

Trying to make the best economy build I can but still something I would trust.

A friend of mine was talking about one of his Buddy's that ran a CNC Machine making AR-15 Barrels.

His Friend said he made 300 Barrels a day which I thought was sort of stretching it.

I found out when I picked out a Ballistic Advantage Barrel for this build that they were just down the road so to speak, and...

Now wonder if that was the place this Gentleman was working?

Spikes Tactical is down the road also! (Central Florida!)

Oh yea, the Rail Handguard, is a Matrix Arms, admittedly an economy hanguard, but gets good reviews.

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
I'm still trying to make up my mind about a muzzle brake...

I see there is now different "Blast Diverters", also brakes with screw on cans/covers.

Just wondering what others have done with these shorter barrel builds???

 

[Wasted ammo]

I don’t own one but I’ve shot a 10 inch 5.56 with and without a blast diverter. If you aren’t going to suppress it I would seriously consider putting a diverter on it. For you and the guy next to you at the range.

 

[seagiant]

I don’t own one but I’ve shot a 10 inch 5.56 with and without a blast diverter. If you aren’t going to suppress it I would seriously consider putting a diverter on it. For you and the guy next to you at the range.

Hi,
Thanks, there are just plain Diverters and then there are Muzzle Brakes with screw on Diverters... (see above pics!)

I don't know if you still get the benefit of a Muzzle Brake, when you have the Diverter screwed on or not?????

Just a plain Diverter is of course cheaper than the Combo!

 

[Wasted ammo]

The diverter also diverts the recoil straight back and the sound straight away. Never experimented with the 2 piece models so I can’t really say.

 

[seagiant]

The diverter also diverts the recoil straight back and the sound straight away. Never experimented with the 2 piece models so I can’t really say.

Hi,
So we can say the Diverter is good and bad (to me) as it decreases Blast but increases Recoil...

Probably no big deal with an AR-15 in 5.56, but just looking at things, might try a cheap Diverter only.

I can always sale it if I don't like it?

 

[Wasted ammo]

I think you’ll like it and like you said if you hate it sell it.

 

[Kopper]

You’re gonna dig it. I built a 10.5, put a forward blasting compensator on it.

I used a 1x prism scope on it. Like a red dot but with an etched reticle so you don’t lose your sight if your battery dies. This way I could avoid irons.

That allowed for a tubular handguard which looks great on a pistol build.

I put a T2 buffer in it and have had no problems shooting anything through the Odin barrel. Fun little gun.

And yeah, I’d imagine BA could pump out 300 barrels a day. They make their own, plus Aero, plus Stag, and more.

 

[Para Pete]

I have an AR-Stoner Linear Muzzle Brake (more accurately- a flash/sound forwarder) on a 300 BLK, but it's on a 16" barrel. I cannot feel any increase in recoil over the A2 Birdcage that was there previously. I did a fair amount of research on linear compensators/brakes/flash/sound forwarders online before purchasing one, and I can confirm that my experience with it matches the results that others have reported- if there's any increase in recoil it's too small to physically measure.

 

[seagiant]

I have an AR-Stoner Linear Muzzle Brake (more accurately- a flash/sound forwarder) on a 300 BLK, but it's on a 16" barrel. I cannot feel any increase in recoil over the A2 Birdcage that was there previously. I did a fair amount of research on linear compensators/brakes/flash/sound forwarders online before purchasing one, and I can confirm that my experience with it matches the results that others have reported- if there's any increase in recoil it's too small to physically measure.

Hi,
Thanks, I have a Spikes Tactical Muzzle Brake on my 16" and it kicks like a Pellet Gun.

Would like to see the same, on the 12.5"...

We shall see!

 

[Para Pete]

Might be like a "magnum" pellet gun, or maybe a CB cap... 😉

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Well....Just found some new respect for Nitride, Ha!

The size end mill cutter I wanted to use was in HSS and although leery, tried it anyway and not even close.

Had to go to Carbide, which was a bigger cutter than I wanted to use, but I have enough stuff in the mail already so pushed ahead.

The OEM set screws are flat faced on the Gas Block and bite into the flat face of the end mill cut, better than a round drill bit.

The upcoming pinning will make that a moot point anyway, but she's not going anywhere!

 

[Jackofalltrades03]

Just be careful of how tight the set screws are. I have had people say they can feel the bumps in the bore where the screws are.

 

[seagiant]

Just be careful of how tight the set screws are. I have had people say they can feel the bumps in the bore where the screws are.

Hi,
Thanks, just another reason to pin it.

The old Cabeza just turned on and I realized, I was going to have to obtain a #31 carbide drill bit ..

To drill that Nitride for that Colt taper pin!

 

[bfoosh006]

FWIW... most blast cans, can dramatically increase muzzle flash.

Choose carefully.

 

[seagiant]

FWIW... most blast cans, can dramatically increase muzzle flash.

Choose carefully.

Hi,
I'm up for suggestions?

What I don't like is the Blast Diverter, HAS to increase recoil, if it is directing gases straight ahead but...

From what I see, even with that, people seem to like them???

 

[seagiant]

Hi,
Looking at this Kaw Valley Precision, it seems to be liked by different shooters on different guns...

It is "slim", compared to some, and it is affordable.

Some even say it has a muzzle break effect or no more recoil than with a muzzle brake...

Which is interesting?