My Bushmaster M4 Build-in-Progress

[shooter521]

It should be.........the PR is for Pat Rogers

That would also explain the small size...

 

[esrice]

It should be.........the PR is for Pat Rogers

I'm pretty sure that gives me extra Kool-Aid points. . . . .

 

[mettle]

I'm pretty sure that gives me extra Kool-Aid points. . . . .

And we ALL know koolaid is pretty good.

 

[mettle]

I put my order in today for a LaRue LT-129 Aimpoint mount, which will be here on the 6th (my birthday!). This marks the final piece of this AR project. Not that this will be the last gadget I toss on it, but it is the last piece that I originally had planned for this carbine.

Time for a price breakdown update. . .


$1,000 Bushmaster Patrolman's M4 + 1 magazine, out-the-door (March '09)
FREE 5 C-Product magazines tossed into deal
FREE hardcase came with gun
FREE Blackhawk soft-sided carbine case (gift)
$367 Aimpoint Comp-C3
$25 black rubber cover
FREE cantilever mount on loan from shooter521
$19 Ergo Suregrip
$19 Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard
FREE (6) PMAGS (gift)
$21 (1) Lancer L5 magazine
$163 Midwest Industries MCTAR-20 quadrail
$20 CAA SVG vertical foregrip
$24 (3) Magpul XT railcovers @ $8/each
$12 (1) Ergo ladder railcover
$3 INGO patch
$42 VTAC padded 2-point sling
$38 Daniel Defense front sling mount w/QD swivel
$90 Magpul CTR stock
$30 Midwest Industries BUIS
$40 TangoDown PR-4 rear sling mount w/QD swivel
$10 Wilderness single-point sling in coyote
$20 VTAC light mount
$35 Streamlight PolyTac LED light
$140 LaRue LT-129 optic QD mount
$20 Flip-up Butler Creek Aimpoint covers, front and back
$245 CMMG .22 Conversion w/3 mags

$2,383 total

Future additions:

????

Have you shot the CMMG convert kit yet? I'd be interested in seeing how it performs; and, if you results are like the other fellow that just posted a report on it.

 

[esrice]

Have you shot the CMMG convert kit yet?

I have not. NFA Day kept me pretty busy over the past few weeks. I hope to do so in the next couple weeks.

 

[theweakerbrother]

Mettle and I will shoot it for you if you're just too dang busy.

 

[esrice]

Mettle and I will shoot it for you if you're just too dang busy.

Come get it. Seriously.

 

[bwframe]

I ordered my dedicated 22lr upper from Spikes on Friday. Lowers to go together at the build party. How foolish is it to buy the "toy" before you buy the real thing?

 

[esrice]

How foolish is it to buy the "toy" before you buy the real thing?

Are you saying this ".22 toy" will be your first AR?

I don't see any issue with that, really. Building the lower will be the same in either caliber. It will just make you want a "real" one. . . or two. . . . or ten.

 

[bwframe]

Are you saying this ".22 toy" will be your first AR?

It will just make you want a "real" one. . . or two. . . . or ten.

Yep, first one.

That's why I'm building two lowers (to start.)

My thoughts are the "22 toy," that I'll be running a few times a month, will give me a decent platform to wring out which sights and other gadgets work best for me.

 

[esrice]

My thoughts are the "22 toy," that I'll be running a few times a month, will give me a decent platform to wring out which sights and other gadgets work best for me.

Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[esrice]

It's here!

It's here!

Now, before I go any further, I want to take a minute to again thank Mark (shooter521).

Mark was instrumental in the building of my first carbine. From the beginning, he was very patient as I sent him PM after PM asking all the newbie questions that naturally come with a fascination in the AR platform. He offered advice that fit my needs/budget, and could always offer a direct and well-articulated reason why he held his views.

Then, then was even kind enough to physically put the gun together once I had accumulated a few parts. When I had an Aimpoint but no mount, he graciously offered one of his as a loaner-- that was 7 months ago.

Fast forward to today, and I now have the final piece of my AR build-- a LaRue LT-129 Cantilever mount. Removing the loaner mount and wrapping it up to give back, I wanted to give Mark one last THANK YOU!

Ok, now back to the pictures!

I've never seen ANY manufacturer give so much EXTRA FREE STUFF with an order! I got a hat (nice quality), dillo 'Beverage Entry Tool', Dillo Dust dry rub, a couple bumper stickers, and a couple catalogs-- oh yeah, AND a mount .

I'm TOTALLY hooked on the kool-aide now. . . .

First, LaRue's shipping/processing is crazy. I placed my order on 10/1 @ 3:30pm. At 4:40pm that same day, I had a shipping confirmation in my email inbox, with an expected delivery date of 10/6, which was spot on. Shipping charges were a typical $9.95.

Second, the sheer quality of the mount is amazing. There is an obvious difference between this and the cheapie loaner I had. The ring walls are much thicker, the screws more substantial, and the QD hardware is impressive. The mount was simple to install, and it locks up TIGHT on the M4 rail.

So, in closing of the "official" build, I'd like to thank my wife, Mark (shooter521), my Father (lovemywoods), and Chris (Cwood/Indiana Supply Depot).

 

[bigcraig]

Welcome to the LaRuminatti !!

 

[shooter521]

SUH-DIRTYWORD-WEET.

Why'd you opt for the cantilever mount instead of the LT-150?

The Dillo Dust is awesome - not just as a dry rub on steaks/ribs/etc, but as a seasoning on just about anything; I've had it on fish and chicken in the last few days. mmm-mmmm, tasty!

 

[esrice]

Why'd you opt for the cantilever mount instead of the LT-150?

I kept going back-and-forth, and had a tough time deciding.

LT-150:

• Cheaper price ($115)
• Slightly better overall balance (negligible)

LT-129:

• More expensive ($140)
• Has spare battery compartment on side
• Would accommodate a 3x magnifier (if I ever went in that direction)

In the end, I was sent a bit of birthday money from the Grandparents that pushed it in the 129's favor. I've liked the cantilever position that the cheapie provided, so I thought I would go ahead and roll with it.

 

[dave29]

Nice mount. Your AR is really looking good!!!

 

[MoparMan]

I just got to convince myself to spend the extra money and buy their rail system. I just love their moto thats on it.

 

[shooter521]

In the end, I was sent a bit of birthday money from the Grandparents that pushed it in the 129's favor. I've liked the cantilever position that the cheapie provided, so I thought I would go ahead and roll with it.

Not a bad choice; I was just curious. I have one of each, and don't notice a bit of difference in terms of sight picture or weapon balance/handling.

 

[mvician]

 

[Fenway]

Larue really does send out a bunch o swag with an order! Nice mount