High Exposure

If it's not shiny, you don't ever have to scrape it. Other than a cursory wipe down there is no need to scrape the tail, or "nipple" as you called it, of the bolt.

I hear you, but no one is saying that they are neglecting or abusing their tools. Since they aren't spotless I am neglecting them? C'mon... I posit that my "dirty" guns will outlast some folks pieces that are kept in a constant state of "Inspection Ready". My weapons are well maintained, function properly, are fed quality ammo, and are inspected regularly. I also follow the recommended preventative maintenance intervals and the manufacturer's guidelines for proper lubrication for each weapon I own. I just don't fret over them being dirty. I have shot my rifles and pistols long enough to know that they don't need to be cleaned obsessively for them to function, so I don't go crazy keeping them spotless. I carry them daily trusting them to function properly if I need them, and never lose a wink of sleep. No one is saying what you do is wrong, they are your "tools" and you have to rely on them. I am just saying that I am very comfortable doing what I do is all.

Interesting but I am still suspect. I believe, and my research points to, it is purposefully built to not meet the spec, making it cheaper to produce while allowing premium prices on the "Civilian" market for "Military" ammo by naming it XM855, since they can't call it M855. It's a shell game. Caveat: There are some loads that are purposefully labelled "X" such as XM556FBIT3. I just realized that I am very jaded by the commercial ammunition industries practices after witnessing decline into the the poor quality of ammo we currently have over the last 5 years or so... If this was what was available 10-15 years ago everyone would be screaming their heads off. As it stands now, we eat their shit and ask for seconds while thanking them... But I digress...

I see what you are saying now and I agree. Also, I wouldn't bet my life on a gun that was short stroking anything. But that's a gun issue, not an ammo one. As for the ATK reps response, that was about 3 years ago. When I say rejects, I mean it was found to be lacking in some way from the mil spec: Cosmetic, shape, power, not annealed, not crimped, primer not staked/boxed etc.... It may be made that way on purpose, it may function fine, but it wouldn't pass mil-spec inspection.

We don't use barrier blind ammo for most jobs, especially on a SWAT team where we spend most of our time in and around buildings rather than cars. The T223L performs reasonably well through intermediate barriers like auto glass in a pinch, just keep shooting According to Dr. Gary Roberts: The barrier "blind" loads are a mix of 5.56 and .223 bonded offerings. In my experience the days of bad ammo are from from long past. I am increasingly reluctant to take the word of ammo manufacturers at face value. Yes, "X" lots may in the words of ATK be: But that sounds like some serious corporate doublespeak by a manufacturer that has some product that is in great demand but doesn't quote meet the spec. They may be first production run but that doesn't mean that it simply didn't meet the original spec the rounds were destined to be manufactured to when they rolled off the assembly line, so they became "civilian market" specific ammo. It is all semantics. Also, I don't trust anything from the Isreali Military. Not their equipment, not the ammo, and certainly not their TTPs.

What's wrong with .223? I use Fed TRU 62gr Hi-Shok SP (http://le.atk.com/ammunition/federal/rifle/details.aspx?id=684) which is a .223 offering for all my guns set up for social purposes - including HD. It is also the standard issued round for many LE agencies and SWAT teams - mine included - and is regularly in the top choices of available rounds out there by the better known ballistics guys.

Good deal. Disregard then.

IMI is the Isreali Milsurp ammo right? Generally it is labeled as "XM" in this instance "XM855". The "X" denotes it was a rejected lot. I wouldn't trust that to trouble shoot a BCM. That just me though. http://www.thegunzone.com/556xm.html

The BCG not locking back on the last round is a classic sign of being undergassed. Checko covered the BCM disclaimer. I have H buffers in both of my BCM Midlength rifles, and they both run like a striped assed ape. But I only shoot mil-spec ammo or equivalent.

I missed you too!

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/67193-domain-expired-error/#entry853092 Some good info here. I just got back on with FIOS this morning.

Meh... I would say it should probably be closer to this:

If I do anything it is a run with a Boresnake and quick wipe down followed by lube. I wipe it down just enough to be able to do a visual check for wear or signs of damage. I spend around 10 minutes on average cleaning. I won't even do that much for less than 1K rounds. Work guns get a little more attention than personal guns, but they also get shot a lot more as well. Once a year they get a more thorough cleaning when conducting PM.

Unnecessary tool. A stiff toothbrush and the cleaner/carbon cutter of your choice is all you need.

That's a belt problem more than a pants issue.

Blake, Mounting a light at 12 is great if you can do it. If your sights and barrel are clear to shoot then you know your light is unobstructed as well. This is a good thing, especially when working around cover where your light can cast weird shadows and backlight your position pretty drastically if you are not careful. The only issue with a light mounted that far out/close to the muzzle is you will get quite a bit of fouling on the lens. It can not be helped. Secret of the Universe #119: Coat the lens of the light with a little WD-40 (those little WD-40 pens are great for this) before shooting. Keeps carbon from adhering to the glass and makes it easy to clean off with just your thumb. Also cleans the lens pretty well without abrasives scratching the lens up and making it milky. Chapstick or a drop of lube works as well in a pinch.

Never underestimate the stupidity of fan-boys and wannabes or the cockiness of firearms trainers trying to prove themselves. Look at Sonny Puzikas.

Good! In my experience grey (or any color - FDE, OD, FG, etc...) is a significantly better choice than "target indicator black" in all environments and lighting conditions, and a better choice than FDE, OD, or FG in urban surroundings and at night. But the real reason that grey is getting popular probably has nothing to do with how well it works and more with how the SEALs are now issuing gear in a new color called "Mass Gray" and all the fanboys out there.

BCM Keymod is on the way Looking to retrofit an old rifle with a tube, for ~ $150 and in grey I am digging these.

Anyone use these yet? They look nice and the price is right. How easy are they to install? I know Geissele is associated with the company, how do these compare to the Geissele rails? http://algdefense.com/rails.html I really like that they make a Grey version.

Correct. The T1 is more rugged and tested to be more "waterproof" than the H1, which is still "Waterproof" just to a lesses degree. However, unless you are planning to make a beach assault after a 6 mile swim in from a nuke sub parked at 150' below the surface you should be fine with the H1. Seriously, unless you are planning on taking this optic white water rafting, through a rainforest, scuba diving, burying it in the snow for the winter, etc.... The H1 is good to go. My pleasure!

I have NVGs (PVS-14) and 3 T1s and I will never use them in conjunction. Unless you are completely stationary it is a useless combination. You are better served with head mounted NVGs and a DBAL/PEQ/IRAL on your weapon than trying to look through the NOD tube and the optic. The H1 is only waterproof - meaning it can take a dunking, be out in the rain, get splashed or spilled on, etc.... The T1 is depth rated, meaning it can spend significant time underwater and take quite a bit of pressure, it is much more rugged than the H1. An H1 will fail before it reaches the depth that a T1 is rated for.

That makes sense and jives with what I heard from industry folks. I also heard a rumor that all Russian weapons and ammo may soon be on a "no import" list due to the saber rattling going on by Russia right now.