5th4x4

That's your concern? Stupid NJ laws being followed? In a situation like that? Move your family to a gun friendly state. The fact that this even concerns you is preposterous.

That sure is a mighty expensive gizmo. Check out the Leatherman line. Less pricey, more tools.

Good on them. But just an FYI to those who were wondering: This doesn't apply to your basic run-of-the-mill military veteran. (darnit)

The accompanying video was quite... uh.... eye opening! Tested for the 2-way range. Pretty wild. Those come with (or can come with) different color lenses. So that brings up this question: T Bill had mentioned that yellow lenses are good for indoor/overcast. So would the yellow lens be better than simply a clear lens in those type of conditions? I would assume yes, but I've learned that I don't need to rely on assumptions here; someone will know ; )

The only reason I can assume that it wouldn't have flat edges, would be to prevent the nut from compressing. It's not thick - and even though it's reinforced internally by the extension - a leveraged wrench could (possibly) flatten-out/distort the shape. (???) The grooves (castle shape) on the outside distributes all of the torque of the wrench equally from the end. No pressure applied on the face. That's a total guess on my part, so I'd also be curious to know if there is a specific designed purpose for that configuration.

When you consider that it would only be another mechanic who would ever really see that ball joint (if at all).... that is one stylish looking cotter pin configuration : P

No way. No punch sets either ; ) If we can't take it apart with our hands, then we're not meant to mess with it. The armory guys obviously have everything... but they aren't like medics. They don't go running out onto the battlefield when a weapon goes down ; )

It's use is actually mechanical. Vehicles have them as well. It's a nut that is used when torquing is required. So no.... it's not a conspiracy to disrupt your build ; )

I believe that's the same company that manufactured the left-handed smoke bender. Very innovative company.

You guys crack me up. It's gonna take me forever to dig out from under this pile of options! But I'm obviously very grateful for that, so thanks for coming thru guys! Btw JimmyAGR and bhunted, you two had me thinking that I might actually have a non-over the ear solution.... and then you both later admit that your half deef to begin with! Say what??!!!!! : o (exactly!!!) : P (and now of course I'm really curious as to JimmyAGR's playlist) Anyway, I'm sure that I'm going to get myself something from within all of these options, so seriously, thanks again. I really do appreciate everyone's contribution.

I gotta admit.... I was waiting for a "second" on that one (Hmmmmm..... Hmmmmm)

Obviously I am trying to do this in a way that satisfies the range requirements as well as the health of my eyes and ears. So even though they've already seen - and heard - better days, 'skimping' on this can only go so far, since I'm not exactly done using them quite yet. My latest reality is the additional costs associated with the range. And by that I mean the added peripheral costs: Eye protection Ear protection Rifle bag/case (am I missing anything else? Other than the actual range costs, of course) Oh how I long for the days (post-Corps) of open desert Mad Max style ad-hoc ranges.

Thanks dad. ; )

Oh! : P

Yeah, that's quite unobtrusive. Hmmmm.....

Do tell. Valid enough to pass the scrutiny of the range police?... or are you so regular that no one says anything to you?

Those look sharp. The tint might be an issue for indoor shooting though(?). For iron sights, I mean.

That's my fear. (well, not "fear", but certainly a concern) I must admit that I haven't been particularly kind to my ears during my lifetime, but if I'm going to be required to protect them, I'll certainly take on the task with a certain degree of seriousness. But I just don't want anything getting in the way.

Yeah, I knew that the pistol headsets would be more hard-core (just because they can be). I'll look into those for my wife. She's got a 38 that she still needs to shoot, and she's the type who needed to use foam earplugs for the Foo Fighters.... and we couldn't have been physically further from the stage if we had wanted to be (well, maybe if we had climbed back another 2 rows we could have).

I figured it would be best to limit this topic to the rifle crew, since it makes no sense to clog up the thread with the pistol guys who wear carrier-deck grade headsets when they shoot ; ) Apparently only in the military can you run around poking each other's eyes out with a stick and get away with it. But here in the civilized world they make you protect your eyes.... and your ears. So in order to be properly (or minimally, or maximumly) protected for range shooting (shoulder-fired rifle of course) what do all of you wear when you shoot? We can skip the designer Vera Wang gear, I'm thinking more along the lines of moderate to trailer-trash style. Thanks : )

Good point, and now that I have already installed my LPK (lower parts kit) and since it was the 2nd item that I purchased (the first was the lower), I am curious if my choice was adequate - especially since it was a fairly spontaneous purchase based at least partially on a desire to just "get parts". I went with a Spikes Tactical PK. And based on some recommendations here and on name familiarity, I felt good about that at the time. That said, is this something deserving of an upgrade, or is this considered at least above average? (although please.... don't suggest that top-shelf trigger that I hear about around here. Because while I certainly don't mind re-building the lower and upgrading the trigger, I really can't afford to have my rifle to be worth more than my truck!) : P

Btw... when I first arrived at NJGF I found myself learning quite a few new acronyms. Many I already knew from my Marine Corps/M16 days, but many I did not. Of course now I see that I am spewing acronyms without regard to those who are starting where I started from when I had first arrived here. My bad. I already should know not to shortcut my way through these terms, since I myself struggled at times trying to learn this new language on the fly. Therefore: BCG means Bolt Carrier Group. Looks like this... That was one of those acronyms that I already knew very well (since I must have broken down those things a million times in my life), but not every new builder (or potential new builder) could be expected to have any familiarity with that. No brainer? Maybe for some. But this is for those who don't know. (that's to fullfil a promise that I made to myself that I would try to help others in the way that I wanted to be helped myself)

If it's a complete upper, those will be a part of it. Complete is pretty complete. Except for the BCG. That is not always included, although you can often add it as part of an optional package when you place the order for the upper. I know that a couple of the manufactures that I looked at offered that option, and BCM definitely did (I selected the BCG option when I purchased their complete upper).

Btw, do you have that short carbine? I almost went that route. (although I was originally planning on a 20"!!!). The 16" is a good compromise though, but if I ever lose my marbles and build another, I'm seriously considering the 14 (well, at least as serious as someone who lost their marbles can be about something like that)

I had the gun-shop swap-out the suppressor for a muzzle brake (plus they shaved off the bayo lug as well) on that 16" upper for me. OP had listed a 16, so I added the link to the 16. But yeah, he'd need to get it made legal, so you're right about that. Either way he'd get a quality upper though.