#Ar-15

Meet William Larson of Semper Paratus Arms. Think of him as a doughnut-fueled AR-15 Yoda with near three decades of experience building and diagnosing the AR-15 platform. He has much knowledge, and you want to possess it.

Our good friends over at TorkMag have launched the new G-Block mag well with a video showing the new conversion block in use. Our very own Ray got a chance to catch up with Jarret at SHOT 2017 and was able to look at one of the prototypes at the show, you can read his post HERE.

Having worked on antique firearms in the past, I really appreciate the modularity and ease of repair that modern firearms have.  This is especially true in the case of the AR-15 platform.  That being said, quality parts are needed when making repairs or modifications.  Though I come from a gunsmithing background, I  was not aware just how many high-quality AR-15 parts DSArms makes in-house nowadays.  Better known for being masters of the FAL-platform, DSArms is no newcomer to the AR-15 game.  When I had need of a duty rifle, the first AR-15 I ever purchased over a decade ago was a DSA ZM4 that featured a DSArms-made lower mated to a 1st-generation POF-USA piston upper.  When I learned I would be testing some of DSArms’ parts and tools, I assumed there would be 3 or 4 parts in the box. To my surprise, I opened it up to find a smorgasbord of 34 parts plus 2 different versions of their combination axe/AR-15 armorer’s tool!

I recently picked up an Armasight AIM, which is a novel way of outfitting a rifle with night vision capability. If you’re already intimately familiar with night vision systems (Say, if you know what the pots are and where to find them) and just want to hear about the AIM, scroll down to the first through-the-tube night vision image. Otherwise, read on and lets think together about shooting things in the dark…

DoubleStar “Mortar Plate” is a minimalistic AR-15 stock, which clamps on the rear of the buffer tube (receiver extension). It is compatible both with mil-spec and commercial buffer tubes. The “Mortar Plate” is machined from a billet 7075-T6 aluminum and is black anodized. The only adjustment you can make is to increase the length of pull by adding recoil pads. Mortar plate also features five (!) QD sling swivel mounting points. The overall length of this stock is 2″.

The GL-Core stock from Fab Defense uses a novel system of polymer inserts to change the stock between milspec and commercial diameter buffer tubes.

Colt is running a pair of promotions to encourage you to buy its guns. One is centered on the Expanse rifle while the other is for some of its 1911-style pistols.

I just received an email that some Brownells AR-15 barrels are being recalled due to a small error in the manufacturing process. It appears that when drilling the gas port, some barrels may show signs of the drill bit contacting the rifling on the opposite side of the barrel.

To me, the only major and glaring design issue behind the AR-15 and similar two-receiver designs is the interface between the two receivers. By using only two pins and having variable tolerance between them for mass-manufacturing inevitably leads to excessive slop. This is compounded by the choices in materials as steel rubs on aluminum receivers (but that is another issue entirely).

Frontier Tactical announced the company was now offering a new AR-style rifle called the FT-15 War Lock Entry Carbine. This rifle uses the company’s War Lock multi-caliber system that allows for multiple barrels with a single upper receiver.

The .300 AAC Blackout has enjoyed wild popularity over the last few years. Its subsonic performance is a big part of the marketing appeal, but there is little practical need for subsonic ammunition for most users. Subsonic ammo, no matter how cool, is still subsonic. At least so far as terminal effect is concered, 220 gr subsonic .300 AAC is no better than .45 Auto. In some ways, .45 Auto is better since there are projectiles for it that will actually expand when fired through heavy clothing. Now, before someone accuses me of saying that subsonic .300 AAC is useless or pulls out the worn out rejoinder of “I dare you to let me shoot ya with it,” I need to point out that no, it isn’t totally useless. Some folks have found it particularly well suited to discrete pest control and hunting. And no, I don’t want to be shot with it. I don’t want to be shot with a slingshot, either, but that doesn’t make it suitable for defense. Hey, subsonic .300 AAC is still fun. It’s okay to like it. Just because it isn’t practical doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.

Ever had a gas key that came loose? I know I have, especially with some of the bargain prices bolt carrier groups that I have bought over the years. The Michiguns MOACKS Plain is designed to allow the home gunsmith the ability to stake the gas key screws properly without expensive machines. This particular BCG is an IWI that I purchased on closeout and hasn’t come loose yet, but it is a matter of time in my opinion.

Last year we posted about an improved safety for the Mossberg shotgun from CDM Gear. Well here’s something for the Remington and Benelli shotgun owners, the folks over at S2-USA just released their AR-15 style safety switches.

I think its safe to say that many of our readers view the AR-15 as a thoroughly modern weapon system. Admittedly, it’s hard not to with various companies and innovations popping up all the time. Various improvements to the base design, newer materials, and modern CNC milling have given this actually antique platform a long lease on life.

Juggernaut Tactical showed off their new California Compliant stock at the 2017 SHOT Show. California passed laws requiring their residents to either register their “assault rifles” or take off evil features to bring them into compliance. The evil features being the adjustable stock, flash hider and pistol grip. This has caused companies to develop new products to help Californians out. Companies have been developing everything from new compliant mag locks to fixed stocks with no pistol grips. Some of them are actually pretty cool looking, and some not so much.