I had always been a 7.62 person until I began reading all the wonderful stories of the AR 15 platform. It was not until I actually shot one that I knew I just had to have one. My knowledge of the rifle was quite limited so with the help of people like CWood I began my own build project.
It all began with this.
As I learned more about longer sight radius and the flexibility of accessories, I asked the assistance, Chris (CWood) as to what would best suit my needs. What stood out the most for me was Chris did not sell me something he wanted me to have but rather sold me something that I had asked for after hearing what my intentions were. I decided to go with the VTAC Extreme 13" battle rail. Now, understand I am not a gunsmith to any degree of the word so CWood offered to install the rail for me. When you think about what I paid him to do this and the fact he shipped it back on his dime, it was as if he did it for free. Patience it not one of my virtues so I was thrilled that I sent the upper off on a Tuesday afternoon and received it back the following Tuesday morning.
I had read an interesting post a week or so ago about a person that did a build with and for his son. He also chose the VTAC 13' Extreme Battle rail. The phrase that caught my eye was after someone had viewed the rifle he mentioned he thought the rifle suffered from an identity crisis. The rifle did have a few modifications I probably would not have chosen for my rifle but it was what the guy’s son wanted and that is what really counts. I had two purposes for my carbine. I wanted a CQB rifle but also wanted the ability to hit target at 200 -300 yards. I am an older guy with not so good vision so I chose the Aimpoint solution. The first item I purchased to effect my needs was the Aimpoint Pro. I had tried other red dots but the quality just was not there. I needed for not only the scope to perform but also give me the confidence it would every time I needed it to. The Pro gave me just that. Next, I needed to achieve some way of improving my aim at longer distances. I again chose the Aimpoint way and went with the 3X magnifier. Now, some of you guys will say that those were both expensive solutions for my needs but in reality, I gambled on Botach' not so good reputation and bought both at what I would consider very good price. In addition, I suffered no problems at all dealing with Botach. I paid $400.00 for the Aimpoint Pro, which came with a QRP2 mount with free shipping. I don't know what it will sell for in the future or from other venders but I think the scope being comparable to the COMP3, it was a bargain. The magnifier listed at $715.00 but I paid $393.25 and it came with a twist off mount. Again, very affrdable in my opinion. I did however choose to upgrade my mounts to LaRue. The reputation from everyone here on this site convinced me that that was the best way to go so I went with the LT 129 cantilever for the Pro and the LT 755 for my magnifier.
I don't think my rifle suffers from any identity crisis but I do believe it has a split personality. It is not shy about getting up close and personal but it also sometimes prefers to engage people at a distance. I received a lot of motivation from reading esrice' build project and with CWoods assistance I was probably able to avoid making a mistake in the rail I would have chose. So overall, I am quite pleased. Here are a few pictures of the rifle as it now appears and I will be going out later today to field test my rifle. I also read about the AR bug and I think I have caught that. If I can exersize patience, I should be receiving a BCM Gunfighter charging handle which should arrive this afternoon to add to my project. Anyway, I just thought I would share and I will be posting what my experience in field yields.
As it looks today.
It all began with this.
As I learned more about longer sight radius and the flexibility of accessories, I asked the assistance, Chris (CWood) as to what would best suit my needs. What stood out the most for me was Chris did not sell me something he wanted me to have but rather sold me something that I had asked for after hearing what my intentions were. I decided to go with the VTAC Extreme 13" battle rail. Now, understand I am not a gunsmith to any degree of the word so CWood offered to install the rail for me. When you think about what I paid him to do this and the fact he shipped it back on his dime, it was as if he did it for free. Patience it not one of my virtues so I was thrilled that I sent the upper off on a Tuesday afternoon and received it back the following Tuesday morning.
I had read an interesting post a week or so ago about a person that did a build with and for his son. He also chose the VTAC 13' Extreme Battle rail. The phrase that caught my eye was after someone had viewed the rifle he mentioned he thought the rifle suffered from an identity crisis. The rifle did have a few modifications I probably would not have chosen for my rifle but it was what the guy’s son wanted and that is what really counts. I had two purposes for my carbine. I wanted a CQB rifle but also wanted the ability to hit target at 200 -300 yards. I am an older guy with not so good vision so I chose the Aimpoint solution. The first item I purchased to effect my needs was the Aimpoint Pro. I had tried other red dots but the quality just was not there. I needed for not only the scope to perform but also give me the confidence it would every time I needed it to. The Pro gave me just that. Next, I needed to achieve some way of improving my aim at longer distances. I again chose the Aimpoint way and went with the 3X magnifier. Now, some of you guys will say that those were both expensive solutions for my needs but in reality, I gambled on Botach' not so good reputation and bought both at what I would consider very good price. In addition, I suffered no problems at all dealing with Botach. I paid $400.00 for the Aimpoint Pro, which came with a QRP2 mount with free shipping. I don't know what it will sell for in the future or from other venders but I think the scope being comparable to the COMP3, it was a bargain. The magnifier listed at $715.00 but I paid $393.25 and it came with a twist off mount. Again, very affrdable in my opinion. I did however choose to upgrade my mounts to LaRue. The reputation from everyone here on this site convinced me that that was the best way to go so I went with the LT 129 cantilever for the Pro and the LT 755 for my magnifier.
I don't think my rifle suffers from any identity crisis but I do believe it has a split personality. It is not shy about getting up close and personal but it also sometimes prefers to engage people at a distance. I received a lot of motivation from reading esrice' build project and with CWoods assistance I was probably able to avoid making a mistake in the rail I would have chose. So overall, I am quite pleased. Here are a few pictures of the rifle as it now appears and I will be going out later today to field test my rifle. I also read about the AR bug and I think I have caught that. If I can exersize patience, I should be receiving a BCM Gunfighter charging handle which should arrive this afternoon to add to my project. Anyway, I just thought I would share and I will be posting what my experience in field yields.
As it looks today.
