Buying a Gucci rifle

Tim

Tim

Checked Out
Staff member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Vendor
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
16,522
Location
A Glass Cage of Emotion
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
Help me pick. Complete rifle or just an upper. ~16”

At this last match, I/we took 1st on all of the rifle only stages. I cannot complain about the little 11.5” PSA factory upper when it comes to accuracy or reliability. However, I think I’d be better served by a 16”-18” barrel.

I’m starting to feel the cracks about a $1,500 optic on a $500 rifle, so I’m looking at “better” rigs for this purpose.

What’s the current hotness that’s a tier above Aero?

16”
.223 Wylde
Accuracy > weight > style
 
I’m interested in this as well. I’m looking at a Christensen Arms 223 wylde carbon fiber wrapped barrel and carbon fiber hand guard. Thing is super light at 5.8 lbs and guaranteed sub moa. Also has a super sweet single stage trigger. However it is $2500.
 
Maybe build a rifle around your needs. (??)

• Lower of your choice
• Billet M4 clone upper
• DLC coated MilSpec BCG
• Craddock Precision Barrel ( my choice )
• Handguard & furniture of choice
• Trigger of choice
• High quality optic mount/rings

Building techniques can have a great impact on your rifle performance. Especially the barrel torque. Following "general" assembly procedures will yield "general" performance.
The devil is in the details.
Hmu if you want some additional details.
 
Last edited:
Tim said:
Help me pick. Complete rifle or just an upper. ~16”

At this last match, I/we took 1st on all of the rifle only stages. I cannot complain about the little 11.5” PSA factory upper when it comes to accuracy or reliability. However, I think I’d be better served by a 16”-18” barrel.

I’m starting to feel the cracks about a $1,500 optic on a $500 rifle, so I’m looking at “better” rigs for this purpose.

What’s the current hotness that’s a tier above Aero?

16”
.223 Wylde
Accuracy > weight > style
Click to expand...


Ya know, there is a great AR builder just down the road from you…. I can see a U.S. Rifle in your future.
 
Tim said:
Help me pick. Complete rifle or just an upper. ~16”

At this last match, I/we took 1st on all of the rifle only stages. I cannot complain about the little 11.5” PSA factory upper when it comes to accuracy or reliability. However, I think I’d be better served by a 16”-18” barrel.

I’m starting to feel the cracks about a $1,500 optic on a $500 rifle, so I’m looking at “better” rigs for this purpose.

What’s the current hotness that’s a tier above Aero?

16”
.223 Wylde
Accuracy > weight > style
Click to expand...
If you want I can build you one.

I would focus on the upper and for your uses I would skip MLOK handguard styles and go with a more ridged handguard profile. Like a qual rail that has hard 90 degree angles in its design.

As far as barrels go, midgas 16" with a standard A2 flashhider is great, you can go with a three chamber comp if you want. I personally stay away from them.

On spec's of performance: the end goal is a a rifle that shoots a 3x10 round groups at 300 yards at an average of 2.1" mean spread.

John
 
cubrock said:
Ya know, there is a great AR builder just down the road from you…. I can see a U.S. Rifle in your future.
Click to expand...
Jim is a real world friend. Was texting with him yesterday about this.
 
Tim said:
What’s the current hotness that’s a tier above Aero?
Click to expand...
I think solgw is a step over aero but I'm not quite sure you'll get more accuracy than a ba Hanson barrel unless you really jump up in price.

If you want to build it criterion barrels are great. They have complete uppers but some of their rails are goofy and a love it or hate it situation. PSA also has some factory FN barrel uppers now that are dirt cheap for what they are in the "sabre line". Larue is really pricey but everyone that has a Larue upper claims it is stupid accurate.

I would not recommend a G upper.

Are you doing any nighttime matches running nods? If you are not using a laser aiming device it'd be worth going crazy on a barrel and trigger and saying screw the handguard.

At minimum I would definitely match the upper and lower to reduce slop between receivers.
 
Squanchy said:
Are you doing any nighttime matches running nods? If you are not using a laser aiming device it'd be worth going crazy on a barrel and trigger and saying screw the handguard.
Click to expand...
I have a dedicated SBR set up for night matches with all the doo-dads.
 
Locally, Citizen Arms has a great rep for a more 'custom build'. COTS upper...KAC, DD, Noveske maybe? Ranier has some competition-forward uppers I believe.

I am not a 'slop between receivers' guy. I think it's a non-issue 99% of the time, but some people like no movement. If you want to build, Criterion, WOA, Douglass, McGowen, a handful of others. Me, I also don't build my own, but I'd have zero issue having John Boyette do it.
 
Last edited:
Chuckman said:
Noveske maybe
Click to expand...
Their barrels are great. Buddy had a 7.5" that would actually stabilize and was very accurate. Which is rare for a 5.56. They are becoming somewhat of a cuck company and an outlook for memes though.
 
Tim said:
At this last match, I/we took 1st on all of the rifle only stages. I cannot complain about the little 11.5” PSA factory upper when it comes to accuracy or reliability.
Click to expand...
That’s great! I question changing what’s working. I completely understand having a bad case of the ‘wants’.
Tim said:
However, I think I’d be better served by a 16”-18” barrel.
Click to expand...
Other than velocity, why?
Tim said:
I’m starting to feel the cracks about a $1,500 optic on a $500 rifle, so I’m looking at “better” rigs for this purpose.
Click to expand...
Indian >arrow, don’t let those you out performed peer pressure you.
There’s something bad assed when someone dominates with an off-the-shelf item.
 
Get Off My Lawn said:
Other than velocity, why?
Click to expand...
Good question.

I typically run the 11.5" with a can, brining the OAL up to around what an 18" barrel would be. However, for the competitions I do, having a can can - at times - be disadvantageous.
- The can can get hot and burn my tender areas while slinging it around and running. Even with a good quality cover.
- Sometimes the ROs aren't able to be in position to pick up my last shot with their timers.

I ran it without the can at this last match and the short barrel can sometimes cause issues with things like getting a sight picture through a barricade, using an improvised rest/support, having space for a QD bi-pod that won't interfere with sling attachments, etc.

Get Off My Lawn said:
Indian >arrow, don’t let those you out performed peer pressure you.
There’s something bad assed when someone dominates with an off-the-shelf item.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah! I agree completely. I threw that in just for giggles.
 
Last edited:
seems PSA has worked fine for you so far... why not just buy a mid 16 and remind all the people making cracks that you still took 1st even with cheap crap. they don't want you to get a better rifle if they want it to stay competitive.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
seems PSA has worked fine for you so far... why not just buy a mid 16 and remind all the people making cracks that you still took 1st even with cheap crap. they don't want you to get a better rifle if they want it to stay competitive.
Click to expand...
Or keep it up and see if some Pony sponsorship can be picked up
 
Tim said:
Jim is a real world friend. Was texting with him yesterday about this.
Click to expand...


I know. That is why I posted what I did to jerk your chain a little. Lol. I’ve been dragging my feet buying one of his rifles, but I will own one. Just trying to decide what needs to go to be replaced by his.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tim
Chuckman said:
Who?? Don't keep it secret!
Click to expand...



I've known Jim for a long time. He and I started the 3-Gun match at VOD Tactical together. Great guy, his kids are wizard engineers. Short story is that he builds a great rifle from quality components. One of his rifles, or at least an upper, is on my short list for this project.
 
Tim said:

I've known Jim for a long time. He and I started the 3-Gun match at VOD Tactical together. Great guy, his kids are wizard engineers. Short story is that he builds a great rifle from quality components. One of his rifles, or at least an upper, is on my short list for this project.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I appreciate the info; always happy to see a good business local(ish).
 
If you are looking strictly for a match rifle you are best served with a custom build. One big factor in success is balancing out the gas, BCG and recoil spring/buffer. For average joes like me the fraction of a second between follow up shots don’t matter but you seem to doing good in the matches so you will be well served by that.
 
I should clarify that I'm looking for 'practical' accuracy and maneuverability more so than bench rest accuracy. For this application, I'm looking at 3-4MOA targets at 400 yards.

Now, that said, I want the most mechanical accuracy I can reasonably get to mitigate 'stacking' issues. If the rifle is only able to hold 2MOA and my heart rate is elevated, AND I'm standing on 1 foot using a t-post for a rest...then a 2 MOA rifle isn't gonna do it.
 
Tim said:
I should clarify that I'm looking for 'practical' accuracy and maneuverability more so than bench rest accuracy. For this application, I'm looking at 3-4MOA targets at 400 yards.

Now, that said, I want the most mechanical accuracy I can reasonably get to mitigate 'stacking' issues. If the rifle is only able to hold 2MOA and my heart rate is elevated, AND I'm standing on 1 foot using a t-post for a rest...then a 2 MOA rifle isn't gonna do it.
Click to expand...

Thats why I find a 2/3rd MOA rapid fire "one shot every 20-30sec's or so" at 300yds shooting match ammo is the right precision and durability needed.

John
 
JBoyette said:
Thats why I find a 2/3rd MOA rapid fire "one shot every 20-30sec's or so" at 300yds shooting match ammo is the right precision and durability needed.

John
Click to expand...
exactly
 
If I were buying a factory rifle, I'd be hardpressed not to get a LWRCI.

If buying a slightly nicer upper to slap on a basic lower, I'd be buying another BA upper or perhaps a SOLGW. Though I'm hearing more and more great stuff about larue uppers.
 
cubrock said:
Ya know, there is a great AR builder just down the road from you…. I can see a U.S. Rifle in your future.
Click to expand...

I done did it...proud owner of a custom built Black Dog Armory US Rifle as of an hour or so ago. Jim says you're one of his favorite people at the shows by the way!

16” Shaw 1:8
Geissele SSA
Black Dog Armory billet receiver set (Alphatech)
Custom Alphatech SiCo compatible brake
Toolcraft BCG

Sub-MOA guaranteed

IMG_7451.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I emailed Jim several days ago and I am going to have him build me one in the next few months. Thanks for the info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom