I have what I think is a mid level home built AR that I use for carbine matches and want to make it into a better three gun carbine. For those with more experience, mine is only local carbine matches at 25yrds or so at most. The bit I've played with it, it seems okay up to 200 on 12" plates.

Currently it is:
Spikes Upper and Lower
JP Low Mass Coated bolt and carrier
JP Silent Captured buffer assembly
JP adjustable gas block
ALG ACT Trigger
PSA lower kit, will be changed to CMMG or something
Magpul CTR stock and MOE grip
16" PSA midlength barrel, with A2 FH until a permanent barrel is decided, then a Surefire brake
ALG 13" hand guard
Leupold VX-5 1-5x24 Fire Dot scope with CDS in a Leupold MK cantilever

It shoots well enough, but I wonder if it'd be worth getting an 18" barrel with rifle gas?

Any suggestions for a better lower parts kit?
How about a lightish weight fixed or more solid stock?

I'm undecided on the 45* red dot or open sights. I'm currently shooting XM193 ball until I get my reloader setup, which will be a bit, and then I'll find a heavier bullet load.

Thanks!

There's nothing wrong with your lower parts.


18" barrel with rifle gas would be splitting a very fine hair compared to your 16" midlength with adj gas.

I have both setups. A 16" mid with adj gas and an 18" rifle with adj gas. Don't worry about it. The difference is not enough to worry about. Shoot that barrel until it is shot out, unless it doesn't meet your accuracy criteria.

How does it group? 2 MOA is plenty good enough for 3 gun especially if you are getting it with bulk 55gr ammo.


You could lighten up your stock but then you may wind up with a muzzle heavy gun. A balanced rifle, light or heavy, is more important than a light rifle that doesn't balance well.

I am very partial to Magpul UBR stocks. The Gen1, not the Gen2. I was very disappointed the first time I handled a Gen2. Feels cheap.


But I prefer a slightly heavier rifle. The UBR locks up very solid. You could consider that. A lot of guys are using the LuthAR stock. If I were going to go that route I would buy a TacMod and give my money to the guy who developed that style of stock.

I bought a pair of offset sights. Meh, with a good optic like you have, they will rarely be useful. 45 degree red dot will put you in open. Nothing wrong with that but you will be competing against full on race guns all across the board. I would recommend against it.


A muzzle brake will definitely change how your rifle feels. For 3-gun, it is worthwhile. I have used JP brakes (excellent) and am currently using a Nordic corvette comp (excellent but out of production).


Snag yourself a JP comp, 2 or 3 port doesn't really matter.

Get a JP EZ trigger or a Hiperfire Hipertouch Elite. Both are an excellent single stage trigger.

Select a stock of your preference. That is very subjective. I like the UBR quite a bit but I have considered a TacMod for my 16" midlength.

quote:

Originally posted by IndianaBoy:
There's nothing wrong with your lower parts.


18" barrel with rifle gas would be splitting a very fine hair compared to your 16" midlength with adj gas.

Yep. Your rifle is fine. Your skills and techniques will matter more than PSA vs. CMMG lower parts, or 16" mid vs. 18" rifle.

Go practice.

Oh, practice is number one!

Yeah, but that Corvette brake couldn't hurt. That thing flat out works!

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
Yeah, but that Corvette brake couldn't hurt. That thing flat out works!

Bruce

They are unfortunately out of production but DSG Arms still has some old stock.

For $50, I’ll give it a try. I was looking at the Cross Machine as it’s reputed to be a little less obnoxious, but I’ll try the Nordic Corvette first.

quote:

Originally posted by IndianaBoy:
There's nothing wrong with your lower parts.

that's what she said *badump-psh*

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:
For $50, I’ll give it a try. I was looking at the Cross Machine as it’s reputed to be a little less obnoxious, but I’ll try the Nordic Corvette first.

I have used both. I have a barely fired Cross Machine. It is quieter. It doesn’t reduce recoil as much. If you find the Nordic obnoxious I will trade you straight across for my Cross Machine. It has maybe 30 rounds through it.

Thanks! The Nordic will be here tomorrow and I hope to try it this weekend.