They hired some anti-gun people to work for their training division.  Fired them after the public backlash but they've burned a ton of goodwill within the community.

 

Well that seems like a terrible idea haha.  I didnt know anything about that. 

I heard about their poor choices because of the Ruby Ridge incident.

 

They make a great product. However I'm currently avoiding buying their stuff. Personal choice.

 

C

I bought all my stuff before all that happened. And this is the first im hearing of it. I wont be buying any more or their stuff unless they straighten their shit out.

I made a decision!!!

 

I've decided to go with the Seekins Precision SP3R in a 15" length (sorry Ty ) I like that it has a flat bottom and a bit of a different look. The scattered reviews that I found all seem pretty positive. I'll post pics when it gets here, along with everything else. I believe that with the exception of optics, which can wait, I'm pretty much done. I need to get a sling at some point but am in no real hurry for that as this is going to be a range gun.

 

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Seekins_Precision_SP3R_Competition_Handguard_V2_Ke_p/skn-sp3r.htm

 

C

Sooooooooooooooooo...

 

My Mega Arms charging handle and MidwestPX bolt carrier group showed up today. To say that I'm pleased would be a total understatement. Ty's customer service is beyond amazing. His shipping is fast and prices are reasonable if you don't make the minimum for free shipping. Add to that that he is a walking encyclopedia of AR knowledge and a complete gentleman and if he had everything that I wanted for this gun he would have been my only stop.

 

The charging handle is a charging handle. Decent price. The cool logo matches my upper and lower. I like it. I'll use it until I break it.

 

The bolt carrier group I was honestly, a little nervous about. However in speaking with Ty, he convinced me to give it a try. Steel is 8620 for the carrier. Machining is nice with absolutely no sharp edges. No machining marks to speak of. Gas key seems to be properly staked and is chrome lined. Where the bolt rides in the carrier is also chrome lined. Makes clean up a breeze I hear. The bolt is not Carpenter 158 it is 9610. It is MPI'd but not HPT'd. That's fine with me as putting undue stress may work foe some but in my feeble mind it shortens the lifespan. Same deal with the bolt, nice machining throughout with no chatter marks. I did spring for the enhanced bolt so some of this may be different on the plain Jane BCG from them. The enhanced bolt carrier group also comes with a stronger extractor spring with an extended life. That's a win in my book. All in all, I'm thrilled to run this stuff and really pleased with the service from MidwestPX.

 

And no, Ty did NOT put me up to this. I simply believe that when someone does me right, folks should know. I also did not receive any compensation in any way for this write up.

 

C

 

How much was the CH?

30 bucks-ish.

 

C

Hmm. I honestly don't know much about the mega but I would have looked at a bcm gunfighter in that price range. Can someone chime in and speak to the durability of mega vs bcm?

The BCM was out of stock. When this one breaks I'll replace it with a BCM.

 

C

Thanks for the nice review!

 

As for BCM vs. Mega, charging handles of all kinds fail given enough use.  I've seen them bend as well as latches break at the roll pin.  The BCM Gunfighter and Rainier Arms Raptor both were redesigned/upgraded to take the stress off the roll pin and more or less eliminate it as a failure point.  But given enough use, even those premium, re-designed charging handles will fail because the long part of the handle will eventually bend.  It's just a function of how metal fatigues.  Like most parts on the rifle, charging handles are a consumable item.

My barrel just showed up from Satern.

 

First off I have to say that the folks that work at Satern are some of the nicest that I've dealt with.  Super friendly and very knowledgeable.  The barrel I ordered and received is the 14.5" M4 contour barrel in 300Blk.  The barrel is melonited (I believe) and button rifled.  It is on the "Barrels on Hand" section of their website (Saternmachining.com) and is a reasonable $210+shipping.  The do offer LE and Military discounts.  The barrel has absolutely no machining marks of any kind.  It is smooth as the proverbial baby's booty.  The extension has M4 feedramps and everything is nice and smooth.  The rifling is also chatter free and I can't see any obvious deviations or deformities.  All in all, it seems like a really nice barrel for the money.  As I said, the barrel is button rifled.  The good folks at Satern informed me that although they can make a cut rifled barrel in 300Blk, it's not worth the money as 300 only realistically reaches out to 150 to 200 yards effective range.  Cut rifling is of benefit to those wishing to reach out a bit longer. 

 

Additionally I ordered their lo-pro gas block and carbine length gas tube.  I did pick up their helically ported muzzle break but in looking at it, I'm not all that sure that it will work for me.  I'll get the handguard mounted and make my decision from there. 

 

Pictures are below.  Thanks for keeping with me on this.

 

C

 

Hey Topher that's a really nice looking barrel. I spoke to Lindsey today and she was able to help me out. They sound like really nice people.... I ordered the 5.56 barrel for a friends build. But myself Iam really looking into doing a 300 BLK for myself. Keep me posted on your build Iam very interested. I already have a Mega upper and lower in the safe.... shit Iam going to need a bigger safe.....lol

P.S did you order the barrel with the matched bolt?

P.S did you order the barrel with the matched bolt?

No.  I got the MidwestPX BCG.  It's reviewed above.

 

C

Got ya had to go back up to the top........

The handguard/rail showed up today.  I picked up the Seekins SP3R from Joe Bob's.  The service was top notch from JB's which was really no surprise to me given who made the recommendation.  The rail is awesome.  It is triangular in shape, for those that don't know.  I believe it's about 2" wide and is super comfortable to hold.  I imagine that it will be very steady on a bag or in a rest for those that inclined to do that kind of thing.  It is also pretty light.  Installation is straightforward and pretty neat with the Ti barrel nut and all.  The guard itself is seemingly very strong and solid.  I'm pretty impressed with it.  That may change when I actually get it out on the range but for now, it'll work. 

 

Now I just need the compensator which is looking to be about two weeks away.  Sucks but it's what it is. 

 

C

Great post. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Just a quick update...

 

I haven't lost the drive. Still looking for parts!!

 

C

any pics for us to see?

Not yet...

 

C

double post.

 

C

Nice --  I do like the look of a long hand guard --   Does that seekins come with a special barrel nut? --  How did the hand guard attach?

Yes, but you use a crows foot or crescent wrench. A large triangular shaped nut threads on to the upper. The barrel is put in and then you thread a titanium nut into that which squeezes everything together. 8 bolts hold the handguard on, 4 of which pinch the ti bolt to make sure it doesn't back out. Pretty well thought out little deal. I was duly impressed with the way it all went together.

 

C

anything new to report? i just bought a lower and im thinking about a 300 blk build. seeing as you just went through the process is there any wisdom you found along the way that i wouldn't normally think about? specifically about the barrel and what length gas system.

They hired some anti-gun people to work for their training division.  Fired them after the public backlash but they've burned a ton of goodwill within the community.

that's not what it was, they hired a person from the Ruby Ridge team of shooters (Dale Monroe) which set the firearms community off it's edge.  To follow that up, they hired Jody Weis whose belief in the 2nd is labeled as 'antagonistic'. 

 

The Dale Monroe hire alone should make anyone thinking of buying Troy products look elsewhere but with Weis, you are absolute disgrace to the 2nd if you continue to support that company.

Barrels, in any but the most common profiles, are a touch difficult to get.  I wanted a semi-bull, fluted and ported.  Doesn't seem to exist.  So, I got an M4 in 14.5".  Gas systems are commonly pistol or carbine.  Anything longer that 9-10" (save the jokes) gets a carbine system which should be fine for supersonic rounds.  If you are gonna run it suppressed, you'll want pistol.  It's the guys that are trying to run both that seem to really run into problems. 

 

All this is theoretical at this time for me as the rifle is at my gunsmith's waiting on a muzzle brake. 

 

Everything else is cake.  I reload and have been steadily making my cases from discarded .223/5.56.  So, ammo isn't a problem to find.  I have an assortment of bullet profiles and weights to play with and a couple of pounds of H110.  I just need the gun to fire everything thru. 

 

Hope that helps.

 

C

Barrels, in any but the most common profiles, are a touch difficult to get.  I wanted a semi-bull, fluted and ported.  Doesn't seem to exist.  So, I got an M4 in 14.5".  Gas systems are commonly pistol or carbine.  Anything longer that 9-10" (save the jokes) gets a carbine system which should be fine for supersonic rounds.  If you are gonna run it suppressed, you'll want pistol.  It's the guys that are trying to run both that seem to really run into problems. 

 

All this is theoretical at this time for me as the rifle is at my gunsmith's waiting on a muzzle brake. 

 

Everything else is cake.  I reload and have been steadily making my cases from discarded .223/5.56.  So, ammo isn't a problem to find.  I have an assortment of bullet profiles and weights to play with and a couple of pounds of H110.  I just need the gun to fire everything thru. 

 

Hope that helps.

 

C

so since were in NJ and theres really no reason to ever shoot subsonic rounds since we cant own suppressors just go with a carbine length gas system? and im not worried about barrel profile as long as its CHF. this will be used mainly as a range toy and possibly some hog hunts if i can get down to my buddies in GA.

so since were in NJ and theres really no reason to ever shoot subsonic rounds since we cant own suppressors just go with a carbine length gas system? and im not worried about barrel profile as long as its CHF. this will be used mainly as a range toy and possibly some hog hunts if i can get down to my buddies in GA.

I don't know what "CHF" is, but yes, carbine should be fine. Pistol will be too harsh with the amount of gasses coming off the round in such a short tube. Carbine will smooth that out pretty well. At least, as I've been hearing, that's the theory.

 

C

I don't know what "CHF" is, but yes, carbine should be fine. Pistol will be too harsh with the amount of gasses coming off the round in such a short tube. Carbine will smooth that out pretty well. At least, as I've been hearing, that's the theory.

 

C

Cold hammer forged.

^^^Thank you^^^

 

C