Is 15 Inches Too Long?

Perhaps. More on that later.

After talking with the guys at AP Industries about their carbon fiber handguards, I ordered one for a ‘special project’.  The 15 inch ‘Tactical’ model to be exact, because I want the full length top rail for mounting iron sights.  The Tactical models also come with a couple of 2″ picatinny rails that can be mounted to any of the vents in the handguard.  Those will be put to use later.

New 15″ Tactical Handguard from AP Custom USA.
[Note: strap wrench and action figure NOT required for installation]

I had not attempted this type of project before [I’m not a gunsmith] and because I wanted to learn how to change out handguards / build AR upper receivers, I set about collecting the necessary tools.  The project upper was sporting a Hogue free float tube so I needed a strap wrench to remove it.  The upper receiver vise block I chose is by Wheeler Engineering and includes a very clever gas port alignment tool.  To install the new AP Customs handguard I needed a barrel nut wrench and a barrel nut.  Also required, but thankfully already owned, are a T15 Torx driver, a 1/2″ socket wrench handle, Blue Loctite, and a big honking vise.

Disclaimer: I am not a gunsmith.  This article does not constitute instruction. I’m not responsible for damage to you or your gun if you don’t seek out qualified instruction elsewhere.  I’ll leave it up to you to figure out how to remove muzzle devices, gas blocks, gas tubes, etc.

So, to the part where I remove the Hogue handguard (except that I didn’t get a picture of it in the vise)

Imagine this clamped in a vise… [Gas port alignment rod removed for illustrative purposes]

There. Done.

A couple of neat features of the AP Customs handguards are how light they are and how brilliant the attachment system is. APC designed a cup and a flange that ‘sandwich’ the barrel nut and ensure that when the gas tube port is aligned, the handguard (and therefore the top rail) is too.  Here’s how the parts are ordered: [click images to enlarge]

Parts of the AP Custom handguard attachment system shown aligned in ‘exploded’ view. Milspec barrel nut is NOT included with handguard.

These forum posts have more pictures if you are curious.  I cinched everything up using the highly technical method of turning the barrel nut to ‘hand tight’ and then using the barrel nut wrench to tighten it just enough until the nearest barrel nut notch aligned with the gas tube port.  No torque wrench needed.

As for weight savings, the Hogue midlength tube, with its integral barrel nut, weighs 9.9 ounces on my postal scale. The APC handguard parts and barrel nut combine to weigh 10.5 ounces.  That’s 6 inches more real estate to hold onto, plus a rail to attach sights to for only 0.6 ounces added.  Of course, adding additional rails for lights, VFG’s, etc will cause the weigh to stack up, as will adding those devices but that’s for each to decide on their own.

So how did it turn out?  Tune in Monday for the reveal!

Transparent Glock Frame? Cool!

Lone Wolf Distributors, purveyors of all things Glock and Glock Related had this on display at the NRA convention:

Lone Wolf Distributors Timberwolf (Compact) in transparent plastic

It’s one of their Timberwolf frames (compact model) cast in clear plastic.  Unfortunately they are not for sale.  When I asked if they would consider a limited run of them, they told me that they have looked into it but they have not yet found a clear polymer that will bear the stress of repeated firing.  They also mentioned that some parts manufacturers have shown interest in the transparent frame as a way to display internal parts and how they function.

It would certainly turn some heads if you showed up to an IDPA match with a mostly clear gun (and clear mags, too).  I think a satin finish chrome or stainless slide would look perfect on top.

Clear plastic LWD Timberwolf: Gen 3 Glock replacement frame

Want.

DIY and Mods: User Friendly Chamber Flags

Chamber flags are useful safety items and even when not required due to range rules, I’ll use them just as a courtesy to other shooters.  However, some of them are not the most user friendly of devices, often they require a ‘bit of fiddling’ to get them in and out of the chamber.  With that in mind, here’s how I modify chamber flags.  [as usual, click images to enlarge]

Before and After.

All those right angles and nibs sticking out make for plenty to snag on.  I trim the outside corner and trim the sides to make it easier to insert and remove.  Trimming the inside corner of the flag provides a ‘finger hook’ that makes removal as easy as swiping a finger alongside the receiver.

Also while the standard flag will fit in a .22 rimfire bore, you can make your own by using a piece of string trimmer line and adding a wire crimp butt connector.  (I resisted the impulse of sophomoric humor; the link is safe)

A piece of weed whacker line and a crimped wire connector makes a fine rimfire chamber flag

While the crimp connector isn’t absolutely necessary, I like it there for the peace of mind knowing the trimmer line can’t slip all the way into the bore.

For shotguns, the flags themselves aren’t really unwieldy but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be improved.  I recommend simply drilling a hole and adding a key chain of your choice.

“Because I like it” is enough reason for me.

I realize that these aren’t revolutionary, life-changing mods but they make life a little bit easier on the range.  I hope you find them useful too.

[Belated] Memorial Day 2013

[Apparently I fumbled the scheduling for this which should have posted yesterday]

A quote from Abraham Lincoln:

“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Freedom is most certainly not Free – eternal vigilance is but one price; the highest price was paid by those we honor today.

h/t Knife Rights

Stop Using Crayons; Use Lacquer-Stik [Color Fill In Paint]

On YouTube there are several instructional videos showing how to fill in the stampings and engravings on firearms with color.  Some use crayons, others use nail polish, paint pens, Testors model paint, etc.  Some of these videos advocate heating items with a brazing torch (!) and use of harsh chemicals.  I have yet to find one that actually uses the product purpose-made for these projects: Laquer Stick.

Color Fill-In w/ Lacquer Stik for easy ID.  [Click to enlarge; Background – Hawaiian Shirt Friday]

Used like grease pencils, you just rub / smudge the compound into the markings you want to highlight and then wipe away with the excess with a cloth.  [I to use 100% cotton patches to prevent any chance of scratching.]  After a while it dries and becomes permanent. You can degrease with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits beforehand if you want, but I don’t always do that.  The surface of the marker will dry between uses so the next time you need it, just take a knife a slice off the dried layer to expose fresh compound.  And they go a long way; at $5 per stick, one of each color you want to use is pretty much a lifetime supply.

While I generally don’t feel the need to advertise the makers’ marks on my firearms (Flair!), I do enjoy being able to quickly discern which flavor of Glock magazine I’m looking in the back of the safe without having to shine a light on it.  They are also useful for highlighting the round count numbers on magazines or safety selector marks on receivers.  A product reviewer on Brownells website used it to fill in engraving to prevent rusting of the bare metal.

So avoid the ‘Crayon and Flame’ method and do it right.

New AR-15 Bolt Shatters After Only 4 Shots [pic]

A Reddit user posted a picture of an AR-15 bolt (supposedly Bushmaster) purchased through a third party seller that suffered a catastrophic failure after only four shots.  The bolt reportedly has no maker mark on it.  Even though the Great Gun Buying Frenzy of 2013 is tapering off some things in the pipeline apparently were rushed past QC (or are of questionable provenance).

I send this along just as a reminder that you should test parts before trusting them.

Catastrophic Failure of AR-15 Bolt after 4 shots [click to enlarge]

UK: Muslim Slasher Kills Soldier in Gun Free Utopia

So let me get this straight: In [Previously] Great Britain, two ‘radicalized Islamists’ (i.e. An “Overseas Contingencies”) run down a soldier with a car, begin stabbing and hacking with a knife and cleaver trying to behead the victim and tell bystanders to film it – and they do it while waiting 20 minutes for a cop with a gun to show up to “cut them down in a hail of bullets” (consisting of “up to 6 shots”, from which they survive).  During this time, the only one with the stones to confront the murderers is a lady cub scout leader.

And ‘unarmed subjects’ is the model the Anti-Rights crowd want us to adopt?  Of course they do.  In their eyes, this was a success because the soldier wasn’t murdered with a gun.

[Update: Edited title for accuracy]

Shootrite Katana Update: new specs, new manufacturer

Tiger McKee just released new info regarding his lightweight fighting rifle, the Shootrite Katana:

 I’ve been playing with the new Katana, and it is great.  We’re still fine tuning a couple of things but it should be ready for shipping soon.  We’re still offering the original version of the carbine, and the new version retains all the original concepts except with a couple of different options.  MHT has done a great job with this build.  And, there won’t be any of the problems – such as no customer service – as there were previously.  It will be available in black or the FDE.

MHT will now handle the production of the Shootrite Katana

Here are the specs:

UPPER RECEIVER GROUP

• Forged 7075 AL , flat top upper receiver with 1913 rail and no forward assist
• Soon to be made in-house with M4 feed ramps, mil-spec hardcoat anodizing
• BCM Medium or Small Gunfighter charging handle
• Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sight
• PRI Gen 3 Delta Mid-length handguard or Hiperform round handguard

BOLT CARRIER GROUP

• Bolt carrier material is 8620 steel, M16 spec, gas key properly staked
• Bolt material is Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened, and HP and MP tested
• Extractor material is tool steel
• Extractor spring is Colt “gold” type

BARREL ASSEMBLY

• 16″ lightweight profile with .625″ diameter forged front sight base
• Barrel material is 4150 CMV, Cold Hammer Forged, 1:7 twist, Chrome Lined, HP and MP tested, and Mil-Spec heavy phosphate coated
• Mid-length or carbine gas system
• A2 Flash Hider with crush washer

LOWER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY

• Forged 7075 AL lower receiver, machined in-house and mil-spec hardcoat anodized
• ALG Defense ACT Nickel Boron coated fire control group and pins
• Aluminum winter trigger guard
• Duckbill pistol grip
• Magpul MOE Rifle stock or optional CTR carbine stock with H buffer or original style A1 stock

CUSTOM WORK

• Remove forge flashing, bayonet lug, sling swivel mount, and smooth front sight base
• Grey phosphate coat all steel parts on rifle
• Fabricated custom sling mounts
• Tune action for smoothness
• Match serial numbered upper and lower assemblies
• All parts on rifle hand assembled, matched and fitted with function checks and test fire

The MHT Defense website is currently under construction, but does list a contact email.  [MHT will also be offering a Shootrite AR-15 lower receiver].

The Katana to date has had a few ‘hiccups’ with regard to it reaching the marketplace (apparently due to the first shop contracted to build it being more concerned with their TV show than actually serving customers).  This doesn’t diminish the rifle’s concept in the slightest.  All small businesses have obstacles to overcome in order to serve their customers.  I applaud Tiger’s effort to see that the Katana is made to spec by people who respect and communicate with those customers.

Oklahoma Twister: Please Donate to Relief Fund

The news regarding just how devastating the Oklahoma tornado damage is just keeps getting worse.

Please donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

If you know someone looking for a relative there, check the Red Cross Safe and Well registry.

A tad busy at the moment…

Tune in tomorrow.