Displaced Texan

This one is the extended version to make a 14.5" barrel 16.1"

If you will settle for an A2, the $20 ones over at Arfcom store are hard to beat. I have an extra extended version laying around if it will help you out.

Those are A2 style. HE wants an A1.

I hear ya brother!! I'm getting old, and it's a pain in the ass to carry 2 Pelican 1720's, plus my ruck.

Yep, it's a pretty ingenious design by Colt. It's main problem is that it is a proprietary system. Parts have to be sourced through Colt. The conversion kit, IMHO, make it worth the drawback. I can pack 1 pelican case with the LE901, the conversion kit, and a 5.56mm upper, and have both calibers available for use. Check it out: http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Rifles/MARC901-Series

Personally, I think building a .308 AR is a pain in the butt, regarding part compatability. I bought a Colt LE901, had it made NJ compliant, and called it a day. I don't think it's as much as a precision rifle as many mentioned previously, but it more than suits my needs out to 600m. The 16" barrel is short enough to make getting in and out of my ranch truck easy, but velocity suffers at longer ranges. Added bonus is the conversion kit that allows you to use a 5.56mm AR upper on it. 2 rifles in one. The LE901 was an ideal choice for me, but your mileage may vary. It is worth a look. Mine was $1900 a few years ago, but newer versions without the full quad rail are a bit less expensive.

Welcome, Joe. I look forward to getting to know more about you, and everything you stand for. Nice to have a pro 2A canidate in NJ!

My source says that he has been working with one of the Admins here, and should be on the forum soon.

My friend says that Rullo is interested in chatting with us on the forum. I have sent a link to the site so that he may register. From there, will see what we can set up for a Q&A. Might be fun, and very informative. Nice to have a solid 2A canidate in NJ for once.

Question has been asked, via my friend.

A friend of mine works on his campaign. I'm going to ask her to get him to register here, maybe we can have an impromptu q&a if it's not against the rules.

It used to be (back growing up in Texas) that high schools/community colleges taught these type of courses at a reasonable cost, mostly on weekend for us working folks. I cannot find anything in my area that isn't a tech/trade school full blown course for several thousand dollars a semester. Hell, all I want to do is learn some basic welding and fabrication, so I can be a little more self sufficient out at the ranch. Like to be able to weld up repairs on a tractor implement, or fabricate somethings without having to hire someone from town. Anyone know of something in Camden County that isn't crazy money/time investment?

Yep. That's a good clue!! Nice pic. Thanks for sharing.

Many AR buyers are 500 rounds in a LIFETIME!!

I'm a little disjointed because I'm typing this on my phone. Forgive me, but I think my meaning will come across.... I'm not arguing your point, I'm just saying that high round count static ranges have the potential to provide amazing data on commercial products. You're right, it doesn't take the 'soldier proof' failures into context, but what testing truly does? Soldiers and sailors will find amazing ways to screw up something (believe me, I know. I spent my Naval career on submarines, and the crap I have seen sailors do....). What it DOES do, is allow testing of componets to failure in an unbiased fashion. At least it offers the data, if one chooses to mine it from their records. I haven't seen too many manufactures (in the AR world, for instance, Colt, FN, probably KAC, maybe a couple of other smaller players) that have the resources, time, or the need to test their componets to failure. I'm going to pick on PSA for a moment, simply because their name rolled off my tongue. Do you think PSA cares that much about how many rounds it takes for their bolts to fail? Probably not. Nor do they have the resources to do so. They don't manufacture them, they buy them from someone who does, made to PSA's 'spec' (whatever that is). The higher grade product, like the premium line, may get mil-spec materials and similar testing than a GI grade bolt from FN or Colt. The lower grade stuff, like the PTAC, who knows. Colt, and other mil-spec manufactures, do care how many rounds it typically takes for a bolt to shear lugs, or fail otherwise. They have the materials and resources to test to failure. And a stake in the game. I think that the type of data that can be provided by a static range is very useful, if compiled correctly. I would love to have some of their discarded barrels, for example, to section them, and analize rifling, throat erosion, gas port wear, ect. Would need to know round counts on each (and that's the difficult part, getting exact round counts), but the data would be very, very telling....

Not conclusive, but it is a very good indicator of who's parts fail at high round counts. I know they don't have the time to set up a more scientific set of tests, but it would be amazing it they could. I for one, would love to set up better logging and tracking of each individual weapon, with round counts, failure logs, and do failure analysts afterwards. The data is there, it's just a matter of how to extract it.

The Battlefield guys DO gather some interesting data!

I get what you are saying, but my point is to be able to prove it, and demonstrate that the 'improvement' is actually an improvement. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of marketing bullshit.

The Army does not own the TDP. They have the right to allow other companies to build rifles using the TDP, but they do not own it. Needs of the Army, enabling multiple sources for mission critical equipment. In the case that another company builds rifles for the .gov (like FN), Colt gets paid a royalty for each rifle.

I've always wondered what 'exceeds the TDP' really means. I suspect it's nothing but a marketing term.

While I am a Colt guy, and am stocked up on AR's at the moment, I rather like the Mega forged uppers/lowers. If I was inclined to build an AR, that's who I would choose. They also make some outstanding billet pieces too. The monolithic uppers they make are lovely....

The FN-15 is more or less a 'hobby grade' AR. It may use a lot of 'mil-spec' parts, but that is a term that has to be used carefully. Mil spec is MORE than just materials used to make something, like the grade of aluminum used to make receiver extensions. True mil spec calls for specific ways to heat treat, bead blast, parkerize, and assemble. It even calls out for the specifications on the QA testing these parts go through. There are a LOT of tiny details to make a weapon follow the TDP, and details make a difference. While FN makes a large percentage of the M4's and A4's for the military, Colt owns the TDP (technical data package). Simply put, the TDP is what makes an A4/M4 truly 'mil-spec' (I can hear the groans and arguments starting now...lol). FN is allowed to make and commercially sell AR rifles, but by contract, they are not allowed to use any knowledge gained in the TDP 'recipe' . That is propriatary Colt property. The FN may, for example, use the same steel for a barrel that the TDP calls for, but they cannot use the same, or ALL of the same tests or inspections that barrel may go through as part of the TDP. Same with bolts. Their boots may all be HPT, but they may not use all of the other gauging and testing Colt's TDP calls for in the spec. The 6920 can, and does, follow the TDP, because Colt owns it. Besides, it is cheaper from a manufacturing standpoint, to build them 1 way with one set of parts. Aside, of course, from the lack of a full auto FCG. I have heard many good things about the FN-15, but for around the same money, I'd rather have the rifle that is closest to the TDP.

Over at AR15.com, there is a long running thread from Henderson Defense, owners of Battlefield Las Vegas, a high volume, 'rent a machine gun' type range. The use many complete guns and parts from various vendors, and have posted up the real world experiences with these guns and parts. A real gold mine of information. According to Henderson, he has excellent experience with the PSA premium uppers, and BCG's, and they they hold up well through 10's of thousands of rounds. He also reports excellent experiences (as one would expect) from Colt, BCM, and DD equipment. Pop over there and have a read of the thread. Again, a real gold mine of information about who's parts break, where they break, and about how many rounds it takes to break them. Edited to add: I know that linking to another site may be considered poor form, but I thought in this case, the information available here in this thread it worth it. Moderators, please feel free to slap me accordingly, if need be. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/677135_High_round_count_AR_M4_s__over_100_000_rounds__and_how_they_have_handled_on_our_range.html

If Barney the dinosaur had an AR-15....