I recently picked up one of the 18" Faxon Group Buy barrels for my first 6.5 Grendel project. It is just my second AR build (the first being a 16" all-purpose rifle in .223 Wylde). My lower parts purchases are complete, but I have the majority of my upper parts to buy.
Purpose: Hunting (primarily) and some long range shooting, both for me and my four kids (ages 8-16).
Design Goals: Adjustable stock for multiple shooters. Light(er) weight for field carry. Two tone BLK/FDE. Scope only but option for BUIS a plus.
Budget: $1200 before optics.
Lower: I have spent $400 on the following.
Upper: The group buy barrel and a thread protector were $205 total, leaving $595 in the budget. I am decided on the upper parts except for the following...
My first AR build has a 13" ALG EMR V2 rail. While I like the EMR I've been leaning toward the Aero Precision ATLAS S-One, which is the same overall weight but with more aggressive cuts in the rail (it's the barrel nut that's a pig). But then I got the Faxon barrel and saw that the gas journal was clean (note: my first build has a Ballistic Advantage barrel that came with a pre-pinned low-profile gas block). I'm totally up for dimpling the barrel (more tools!), but in researching the process I stumbled across a multitude of opinions ranging from orthodox (anything less than pinning is heresy) to liberal (hey, if it's not a SHTF rifle then a clamp-on is just fine).
Given the intended purpose for this build, I'd appreciate your thoughts/opinions/experiences on the following:
The gas block I have been gravitating toward is the SLR Sentry 7. Their website says the set-screw model would fit the ATLAS S-One, but for the clamp-on model I'd need a handguard with an inner diameter of 1.35" or more. I'm now contemplating the SLR clamp-on gas block and maybe AP's Quantum handguard, which seems rock-solid and well priced (albeit a little fatter in the hand than I need/desire).
Purpose: Hunting (primarily) and some long range shooting, both for me and my four kids (ages 8-16).
Design Goals: Adjustable stock for multiple shooters. Light(er) weight for field carry. Two tone BLK/FDE. Scope only but option for BUIS a plus.
Budget: $1200 before optics.
Lower: I have spent $400 on the following.
- Stag Arms Stripped Lower Receiver
- CMMG PART KIT AR15 LOWER PINS/SPRING
- BAD ENHANCED PIN SET
- MAGPUL POLYMER TRIGGER GUARD BLK
- RADIAN TALON SFTY SLCTR 2 LEVER BLK
- BCM GUNFTR STOCK KIT MOD0 SOPMOD FDE
- Strike Industries Enhanced Bolt Catch
- Strike Industries Enhanced Magazine Catch - Black
- LaRue Tactical A-PEG Grip FDE Smooth
- LaRue Tactical MBT-2S Trigger
Upper: The group buy barrel and a thread protector were $205 total, leaving $595 in the budget. I am decided on the upper parts except for the following...
- Handguard - FDE in a 12"-13" length. Long enough to use a bipod, but not so long to add extra weight. Preference is a smooth top (no picatinny).
- Gas Block - Adjustable...not to run suppressed but to reduce felt recoil and wear/tear, etc.
My first AR build has a 13" ALG EMR V2 rail. While I like the EMR I've been leaning toward the Aero Precision ATLAS S-One, which is the same overall weight but with more aggressive cuts in the rail (it's the barrel nut that's a pig). But then I got the Faxon barrel and saw that the gas journal was clean (note: my first build has a Ballistic Advantage barrel that came with a pre-pinned low-profile gas block). I'm totally up for dimpling the barrel (more tools!), but in researching the process I stumbled across a multitude of opinions ranging from orthodox (anything less than pinning is heresy) to liberal (hey, if it's not a SHTF rifle then a clamp-on is just fine).
Given the intended purpose for this build, I'd appreciate your thoughts/opinions/experiences on the following:
- Is an adjustable gas block worth it in the long run?
- Does a set-screw gas block (and/or pin) really affect accuracy?
- How much of a concern is handguard strike from a gas block when firing?
The gas block I have been gravitating toward is the SLR Sentry 7. Their website says the set-screw model would fit the ATLAS S-One, but for the clamp-on model I'd need a handguard with an inner diameter of 1.35" or more. I'm now contemplating the SLR clamp-on gas block and maybe AP's Quantum handguard, which seems rock-solid and well priced (albeit a little fatter in the hand than I need/desire).
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