Thinking of testing the AR-15 waters...

[BR 870]

What is the difference between followers and does it effect reliability?

 

[Richard in LA]

The magpul's are true anti tilt, just like the alloy followers in the old colt 20's the greens *can* tilt the bullet tip downwards and not feed, not saying that they are a million times better since the military has been using green ones for years now, but almost all my mags have them. For the same price its a no brainer

 

[Request Dust Off]

BR870,
to expand upon what 'Richard in La' posted

All 3 of the mags I mentioned work just fine. (In My Wimpy World)

I can take a pencil & push the followers down.

The green one will not tolerate as much off center thrust. You can stick it by getting it sideways enough.

The Enhanced Magpul follower in the Cproducts it almost impossible to do that to. I think that follower will work in any mag that is normal Milspec/AR.

The follower in the Magpul P-mag is made to fit the body, both are unique and differ from other mags.

Of course the mag is made to be used with ammo not pencils but it does let one see what is happening.

I should have all 3 with me if I make it to the Stennis Buffer Zone Sunday, Feb 9, 2008

Later,
RDO

 

[nastynewt]

I picked up the Armalite LEC15A4CBK-2 with carry handle and I am very happy with it

 

[topgunz1]

I have several Cproducts mags w/magpul followers from 44mag and several D&H w/green follower from Rainier, I have had flawless performance from both brands. THe D&H Look alot better with the black teflon finish as opposed to the cproducts though.

For a sling I just swapped from the Gearsector single point to the Larue/Viking Tactics 2 point, I really like this new setup.

 

[bryan0928]

first AR15

Go to CMMG, they are the Burger King of Ar15s and you can have them build it how you want.

Not to mention, they are probably the closest to Mil-spec right behind Colt...which sets the standard.

I have 7 AR15s and they all come from CMMG

 

[BR 870]

Go to CMMG, they are the Burger King of Ar15s and you can have them build it how you want.

Not to mention, they are probably the closest to Mil-spec right behind Colt...which sets the standard.

I have 7 AR15s and they all come from CMMG

You are the first person I have heard say that. I let some others weigh in who are more experienced, but I've never heard anyone besides you rank CMMG with Colt. Noveske or LMT equal with Colt... Sure, but most rank CMMG equal with Stag, RRA, Bushy, DPMS, etc as a midrange manufacturer...
That said, I already ordered a Stag M2 (its supposed to be at da FFL V-Day )

 

[bryan0928]

I couldn't find a good comparison chart that would let me copy it here, but CMMG has a lot of stuff that the other big mid range companies don't have.

I would put them at the very high end of the mid range.

As far as Colt and LMT, they are very nice, but overpriced for what you get over the mid range rifles in my opinion.

I settled on CMMG for all my rifles after doing a lot of searching on AR15.com and never hearing a single bad thing about their rifles.

Stag makes an awsome rifle, enjoy it and hopefully the ammo prices won't put you in the poor house.

 

[LouisianaCarry]

Again, good choice.

The only issues I have had were not the rifle's fault (followers failed to engage bolt hold-open, blown primer from a gun show reload, etc.).

4000+ rnds since I got mine in June, and still counting!

By the way, mine likes Hornady 55gr VMAX. With a good scope, you can get the holes to touch at 100 yds with that stuff in a Stag.

 

[LouisianaCarry]

As far as Colt and LMT, they are very nice, but overpriced for what you get over the mid range rifles in my opinion.

+1

Also, Colt is not known for holding civvies in a real high regard.

 

[BR 870]

Not sure if its just CMMG bashing, but I have heard of complaints of off center bores, higher return rates, etc. I'm not saying any of its true, just repeating what I read...
BTW LC, what is an improper key staking?

 

[LouisianaCarry]

The gooseneck thing that sticks up from the bolt carrier is the gas key. It mates with the gas tube to route the gasses into the carrier to cycle the action. The key is held in place by two hex head screws. Those screws could easily work loose with all the pressure, so a good manufacturer stakes them in place (by scoring the heads on two sides) which knurls the key and head and prevents turnout. If the key does come loose, it could cause short stoking (where the carrier does not move far enough to the rear to chamber the next round), because some of the gasses would escape before doing their job. Chemical bonds cannot be relied upon because this is an area of such high heat.

Improper manufacturing would be to not stake them, or to not stake them in a way that knurls the metal and prevents movement.

 

[LouisianaCarry]

By the way, since we are on the subject-

The AR is a very modifiable platform, but this is not one of the routes you should go.

 

[bryan0928]

By the way, since we are on the subject-

The AR is a very modifiable platform, but this is not one of the routes you should go.

HO-LY ****, that is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Epic failure.

 

[BR 870]

So how does this sound for a basic supply kit for the gun box:

Field Repair Kit $32.00

Stag Arms Field Repair Kit
This is the perfect kit for the shooter that likes to be prepared.
This kit includes (from the left):
Extractor spring insert, Extractor spring, Cam pin, Trigger Spring, Firing pin,
2 pcs Firing pin retaining pin, Safety detent, Extractor pin, Detent Spring,
3 pcs Gas Ring, Disconnector, Hammer Spring.

Lost Parts Replacement Kit $13.00

Kit with some of the most commonly lost parts. Don't let a tiny spring or detent stop you from shooting.

4 Takedown Pin Detents
4 Takedown Pin Detent Springs
2 Buffer Retainers
2 Buffer Retainer Springs
2 Safety Detent
2 Safety Detent Springs
2 Extractor Spring Inserts
2 Extractor Springs

Otis .22-.30 Cal. Rifle Cleaning Kit $11.00

7 CProducts 30rd USGI Mags w/Orange Magpul follower $70.00

Anything else scream ESSENTIAL to you that I am missing? How important is getting a spare bolt?

 

[BR 870]

Bryan: After researching, CMMG does look pretty decent. I'm still satisfied I went with Stag though. I doubt this will be my only AR before Nov. so I might go with CMMG for my next one though...

 

[LouisianaCarry]

Spare bolt is good.

EOTech is good.

Otis sucks.

Dewey system for the win.

http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR0093NMK&storeid=1&image=nmtrgg.gif

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=28&

I have the Stag field kit, decent kit for the money. CMMG has some decent kits in that link I posted. Keep a few gas rings around, too. Not because they wear out fast, but because they are small and useful. If you get one of these, you can keep the spare bolt on you at all times.

 

[swagge1]

The gooseneck thing that sticks up from the bolt carrier is the gas key. It mates with the gas tube to route the gasses into the carrier to cycle the action. The key is held in place by two hex head screws. Those screws could easily work loose with all the pressure, so a good manufacturer stakes them in place (by scoring the heads on two sides) which knurls the key and head and prevents turnout. If the key does come loose, it could cause short stoking (where the carrier does not move far enough to the rear to chamber the next round), because some of the gasses would escape before doing their job. Chemical bonds cannot be relied upon because this is an area of such high heat.

Improper manufacturing would be to not stake them, or to not stake them in a way that knurls the metal and prevents movement.

My Colt M-4 has that "staking" on it. The first time I broke it down I noticed this and wondered how I was supposed to ever get those allen head screws out. Now I know... just put a Q-tip in there for cleaning and leave it alone. The "gooseneck" does not need to be disassembled and cleaned.

 

[LouisianaCarry]

Pipe cleaners with Carbon Cutter for the win.

 

[BR 870]

• So would you consider a spare bolt essential, or just handy?
• Is the 3pc gas rings included in the field repair kit sufficient, or do I want more?
• What is wrong with the Otis Kit IYO?

EOTech is gonna have to wait for now. I'm gonna stick to irons for awhile. Plus if I were to have enough for an EOTech, I'd put that toward half of a CMMG Bargin Bin AR just so I'd have a 2nd before Nov (my goal is to have 2 b4 election time). I seriously doubt any AWB is gonna ban EOTechs...