Official T4R "Firearms" thread

[LandCruiser]

If your thumb is sticking up at all while you rack the slide back, it will rotate the safety lever to the fire position. Think of holding the pistol in your right hand as if you're going to fire it. Your right thumb is laying just below the slide, but if your thumb is sticking up at all it can be just enough to take the pistol off of safe.

The hammer also has a half way safety stop too but that's only going to catch the hammer when the slide is fully forward. In this case the hammer follows the slide forward and has enough force to hit the firing pin simultaneously as the round is chambered.

All of this happens when the slide hasn't been pulled far back enough to lock the hammer to the rear but just far enough back to load a round from the mag.

Oh, I understand the hammer part, but there's a firing pin block that keeps the firing pin from moving forward when struck by a hammer (even at full force). For what you have described to have happened

a) the firing pin block was damaged--where the firing pin moved forward despite being locked in place by the block
b) someone pulled the trigger while the hammer dropped on the firing pin (and disengaged the block)
c) someone modified the to override this feature
d) it was the rare 92S (not the 92SB/92S-1 that was adopted by the USAF which had the FP block)

 

[SV_Dude]

Oh, I understand the hammer part, but there's a firing pin block that keeps the firing pin from moving forward when struck by a hammer (even at full force). For what you have described to have happened

a) the firing pin block was damaged--where the firing pin moved forward despite being locked in place by the block
b) someone pulled the trigger while the hammer dropped on the firing pin (and disengaged the block)
c) someone modified the to override this feature
d) it was the rare 92S (not the 92SB/92S-1 that was adopted by the USAF which had the FP block)

Interesting. I don't know exactly what caused it then. I don't know about different variants of the m9. Our unit armorer looked at the pistol and went over the steps the guy (army ranger captain) who fire the pistol in the aircraft and determined that it wan no fault of the pistol and the guy messed up by deactivating the safety and not pulling the slide all the way to the rear. I never really looked much into it and took their word for what happened. Maybe I need to tinker with a few different m9's if I get the chance and see if I can duplicate what happened. Maybe the guy did in fact pull the trigger or something stupid and didn't want to admit it.

 

[sportrunner2001]

so I'm looking for a little input here. I've looked online quite a bit and theres so much out there for AR's and I don't have a very good idea on what would be best for my uses. Hopefully my fellow 4Runnerer's can help!

I am not new to firearms but i am new to building ar's. This summer I plan on slowly piecing together something i can carry around at the cabin and shoot coyotes, beavers, prairie dogs, whathaveyou.

Ive been looking around online lately at all the different parts and things i can get. Im leaning towards a stag upper 3HL or 6HL (I'm a lefty), with all their upper parts for left configuration.

I plan on scoping it with a nikon p223 or m223. monarch glass if i go all out on this thing, prostaff if i don't.

my questions are:

-should I also get a stag lower to match? i don't know if theres a difference between lowers for the left and right handed uppers

-I want to build it as reliable as I can but not overly heavy, options?

-triggers? no idea where to start, along with what the best lower build kit is

-Stag arms has pre built upper halves and I'd like to go that route but I want to have a different handgaurd with rails to mount a grip. I really like the look of the magpul angled fore grip...

It will most likely have some pretty furniture for it haha

Although I already have a .223, that beast is heavy (R700 SPS varmint).

I know this is a a lot to ask but any help/guidance is greatly appreciated and hopefully I'll have many pictures to follow in the future!

 

[LandCruiser]

-should I also get a stag lower to match? i don't know if theres a difference between lowers for the left and right handed uppers

Lowers are ambi. If you buy your lefty upper in parts, you will need a left handed BCG (which has the extractor on the other side because you're throwing brass from the left side of the rifle). Safety can be switched from one side to another or be ambi.

-I want to build it as reliable as I can but not overly heavy, options?

Stick to plastic furniture and don't add quad rails or metal foregrips. Aluminum skeletonized quad rails are an option... or you can go with a carbon fiber foregrip if you're nuts about spending.

-triggers? no idea where to start, along with what the best lower build kit is

Geissele is what I have on my Colt. It's not cheap. There's not much else to a lower build kit than some cheap switches and levers, you can get what you want.

-Stag arms has pre built upper halves and I'd like to go that route but I want to have a different handgaurd with rails to mount a grip. I really like the look of the magpul angled fore grip...

I like the UTC vertical grip, but I have a monolithic rifle and I don't notice the extra weight. It's very solid and can double as a monopod in a pinch. Magpul makes a bunch of plastic options for your needs. See what works best.

 

[darkie3495]

-should I also get a stag lower to match? i don't know if theres a difference between lowers for the left and right handed uppers

You can if you want the upper and lowers to match, sure. However, any lower will work. I too am a lefty and run all standard uppers and lowers. all my AR's run Rainier Raptor ambi charging handles, ambi safeties and a few run ambi mag releases.

-I want to build it as reliable as I can but not overly heavy, options?

for weight savings you probably want to go with a medium contour or quality lightweight barrel, forged receivers and lightweight stock. As for handguards, I'm a big fan of the lightweight skinny rails such as the Noveske NSR, BCM KMR, Centurion CMR, etc. As stated before, quad rails will add more weight. IF you plan on building any part of the rifle (assembling stripped parts) make sure you either buy or have access to the proper tools and have an experienced builder helping you out.

-triggers? no idea where to start, along with what the best lower build kit is

As LandCruiser mentioned, Geissele's are great triggers but definitely try out others to see which one you like best in your price range.

-Stag arms has pre built upper halves and I'd like to go that route but I want to have a different handgaurd with rails to mount a grip. I really like the look of the magpul angled fore grip...

You might want to try and shoot different setups to see what fits your needs/shooting style...it may look cool, but actually running the rifle might change your mind.

It will most likely have some pretty furniture for it haha

As for the pretty furniture...since you're going to be hunting and carrying this rifle around, be weary of all the "pretty furniture" as they could potentially get snagged on stuff and add unnecessary weight. I would also recommend getting a dedicated bipod and stay away from the vert grip/bipod combos.

Good luck...looking forward to seeing the progress :thumb3:

 

[LandCruiser]

I use an ACS-L stock which minimizes snagging, it's very expensive for an AR part, tho.

I have built a 458 SOCOM off of a STAG lower, but my go-to is a Colt 6940 which is minimally modified.

If you've never built an AR, there's a DPMS kit on Brownell's that's fun to put together. I bought it for the wife's first AR and built it over a day or two over Christmas.

 

[sportrunner2001]

Thanks for the help [MENTION=92049]LandCruiser[/MENTION] and [MENTION=20116]darkie3495[/MENTION]!

Whichever lower I plan on going with I'll be having an ambi selector. On price points Im planning on going with a "middle of the road approach"(for now) since I don't know a whole lot about all the different manufacturers and whats best.

My buddies dad has his FFL so I texted today and asked if he could get me a stag lower. Now that I know lowers are universal I might be changing that but Its not a big deal

The part that has me most weary about building is correctly installing the barrel and gas tube, along with getting ones that are the correct size. Which is why I've been leaning towards an assembled upper from stag and I don't want the front sight aperture, it seems unnecessary on a scoped rifle IMO

I'll definitely take a look at those triggers! My dad will likely want a new one for his too since he hates how heavy his DPMS trigger is

and by pretty furniture I meant something that looks good but will take some abuse haha its not going to have million dollar paint job on it

Ive shot plenty of right handed guns not to care too much about the difference but I like to have something different than others. For example all my hunting buddies bought SBEII's and I went for an over under, now I have that and picked up a Montefeltro two seasons ago

I'll have to get some pics this weekend when I'm home of the "collection" to tide everyone over until I get all the parts I need!

 

[sportrunner2001]

*edit : double post

 

[JBecker]

Don't buy a lefty upper. There is no need and you will be stuck with proprietary parts. I shoot my rifles left handed all the time without issue.

I would also consider going away from Stag uppers. Not saying they aren't decent, but you can do better for the same price or just a bit more.

You could get a BCM upper from www.bravocompanyusa.com in pretty much any configuration you want. They are built to a very high standard using quality parts.

You could also just but a Colt 6920 and have a great all around rifle.

 

[LandCruiser]

You could also just but a Colt 6920 and have a great all around rifle.

I'm biased, but I agree.

 

[lastlaugh]

Both BCM and Palmetto State make very good rifles and components

 

[JBecker]

Both BCM and Palmetto State make very good rifles and components

PSA can kick rocks. They have the worst customer service in the business.

If I order an item from BCM, it ships same or next day, they answer emails promptly and if you have a problem they will take care of it in a timely fashion. They also don't "forget" to include items in your order.

PSA can't even seem to check their lower parts kits to make sure they include all the correct detents and springs. How can I trust a companies quality control procedures when they can't even be bothered to make sure all the parts are in the bag?

PSA, you get what you pay for.

 

[lastlaugh]

PSA can kick rocks. They have the worst customer service in the business.

If I order an item from BCM, it ships same or next day, they answer emails promptly and if you have a problem they will take care of it in a timely fashion. They also don't "forget" to include items in your order.

PSA can't even seem to check their lower parts kits to make sure they include all the correct detents and springs. How can I trust a companies quality control procedures when they can't even be bothered to make sure all the parts are in the bag?

PSA, you get what you pay for.

they did seem to get pretty shitty after the sandy hook rush. still don't think they ever recovered from it. (or they have so much money now they just don't care).

 

[sportrunner2001]

I'll check out some different uppers before officially deciding, I have plenty of time haha.

Pretty much the only reason I want a stag upper thats left handed is because they're different and it makes people look twice when they see it.

 

[bofa]

Doubletap Ammo is having a 10% off sale if anyone is interested.

Use code Spring1410

 

[bofa]

PSA can kick rocks. They have the worst customer service in the business.

they did seem to get pretty shitty after the sandy hook rush. still don't think they ever recovered from it. (or they have so much money now they just don't care).

I usually place an order or two from PSA every year for various stuff and have never had issues. At least they know what they actually have in stock and don't have you endlessly waiting. They also didn't jack their prices up like some other companies. I don't doubt your experiences but they haven't given me a reason to totally write them off... yet.

 

[LandCruiser]

I usually place an order or two from PSA every year for various stuff and have never had issues. At least they know what they actually have in stock and don't have you endlessly waiting. They also didn't jack their prices up like some other companies. I don't doubt your experiences but they haven't given me a reason to totally write them off... yet.

PSA is a place where you place your order and forget about it--because they sure as hell have no idea if you call them (assuming they answer).

If you're patient you'll eventually get your upper/parts when you least expect it.

It's like Christmas.

 

[NOVA46]

Even though I don't quite feel that posting our guns out in the open is the best of ideas, I can't quite resist. For the sake of ambiguity, I will be posting my favourite from the collection...

Lets call it a "Keckler & Hoch M417". teflon-coated receiver, chrome barrel, holographic, magpul decorations

And I have never fired it.

This is an example:

 

[LandCruiser]

Even though I don't quite feel that posting our guns out in the open is the best of ideas, I can't quite resist. For the sake of ambiguity, I will be posting my favourite from the collection...

Lets call it a "Keckler & Hoch M417". teflon-coated receiver, chrome barrel, holographic, magpul decorations

And I have never fired it.

This is an example:

Shoot it.

308 wears out barrels faster, but you still will get 15-25k rounds thru the pipe before you see any real wear. Especially in an HK rifle where it's designed more for longevity.

What's an AR 308 barrel run, anyway, compared to all that ammo?

 

[esrice]

Here's the goofiest looking thing I've ever hit at 700 yards with. :50cal: