Rifle near complete.  Waiting on a Magpul trigger guard. ~5 LBS 2 OZ with iron sights attached...  I'm happy with the overall weight.   

Range report to follow.  Thanks again to dustoff for the wolf ammo, to test reliability.    I will also test out some XM855, some 77 OTM, and some other stuff if I can get my hands on it. 

Rifle near complete.  Waiting on a Magpul trigger guard. ~5 LBS 2 OZ with iron sights attached...  I'm happy with the overall weight.   

Range report to follow.  Thanks again to dustoff for the wolf ammo, to test reliability.    I will also test out some XM855, some 77 OTM, and some other stuff if I can get my hands on it.

that's awesome, man
post when you are planning to hit the range, maybe i can stop by to check it out

that's awesome, man
post when you are planning to hit the range, maybe i can stop by to check it out

Probably have to squeeze in a short session.  Pretty busy at work and home.  I'd like to get a scope on it too and evaluate the core accuracy of the system.  With the irons it's going to be hard to see the true potential.  The apertures are quite large and the front blade is pretty wide for precise work.  I'm thinking it's 'good enough for government work' as they say, though.

that's awesome, man
post when you are planning to hit the range, maybe i can stop by to check it out

I really wanted to try er out at your guys range day, but waiting for all the parts to come in and work is screwing things up. Lol.  (Inspector's thread on shipping https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=21081.0  )

Vltor A5 receiver extension.   Slightly longer than a carbine extension.   Suppsed to make the system run smoother and more reliable.  Anyone use this? What are your thoughts?   Uses a heavier and longer buffer than a carbine buffer in conjunction wit a rifle length spring.

I have been running the A5 set-ups in all of my builds since they hit the scene.  They run in everything from a 10.5" carbine gas, to a rifle length gas.

I have been running the A5 set-ups in all of my builds since they hit the scene.  They run in everything from a 10.5" carbine gas, to a rifle length gas.

Funny how they work so well.  I am anxious to see the difference in jolt from a carbine buffer, and hoping it runs as well as people say.   Are you using the standard weight buffer (5.3oz), or did you lighten or increase the weight?  I'm a little worried that the mid length gas system might need the lighter buffer, at least to cycle weak ammo.

What made you decide to change out the spr handguard for a keymod one?  Weight?

What made you decide to change out the spr handguard for a keymod one?  Weight?

The PRI hand guard was a loner,  just to get an idea.  Also looked too fat on a 14.5 slim BBL, IMO.  Also, the KMR is lighter.

Maybe later I'll do an SPR upper with an 18" or 20" BBL or something.   

Funny how they work so well.  I am anxious to see the difference in jolt from a carbine buffer, and hoping it runs as well as people say.   Are you using the standard weight buffer (5.3oz), or did you lighten or increase the weight?  I'm a little worried that the mid length gas system might need the lighter buffer, at least to cycle weak ammo.

I put them on all new builds but be aware that no two rifles are the same.  Some benefit greatly from the A5, while others may not.  Also there are more buffer choices to play with but that can get spendy. 

The project is done.  Maybe... 

The final build weight came out to 4 pounds 14 ounces dry with no sights/no magazine.   With the Daniel Defense fixed iron sights 5 pounds 2 ounces. 








(notice I changed to pistol grip to a Troy..  Not sure I like this one either.  Might get a Magpul later....)


The range report is as follows

Zeroed up at 50 yards with 5 shots.  Windage was pretty much dead on out of the box, just had to raise the front sight up to get to center at 50... used a 6 o'clock hold on the black.  I will probably move it down a little more so the bullet impact hits more "dead on hold" later.  Shot  a three round group to confirm correct sight height.  Ammo was Federal XM855 LC marked brass in a bulk box.








I then shot various other ammo that I had available.

Fed XM855



Various loose ball don't know what kind 55grn 5.56, PMC 55, Wolf 55, and what ever stuff friends donated.. 





best group came from some 77 grain OTM ammo a friend gave to me.  Sorry forgot the brand.  (four shot cluster and one flyer above)





Put on a scope and tried some 50 yard shooting.  The way this rifle is set up is not the best for shooting groups with a scope, and I didn't really set up a stable rest to shoot off of, so I am thinking it would shoot better on a more stable platform.  I don't really care though, as I felt confident that the gun was shooting as expected, and can put rounds on target if I do my part.

Green tips


PMC 55grn


Wolf 55grn




Shot a three round group at 100 yards with the 77 OTM.  Looks about 2.5-3 MOA prone off a shakey sand bag and no rear support.  lol.





The green tips opened up quite a bit, but sure it is the shooter, not the rifle.






Function was smooth and reliable,  noticeably less sharp than that of a carbine.  The A5 worked as advertised IMO, nice impulse, slow cyclic rate, and brought front sight back on target nicely.
I had only one stoppage, this was with the Wolf ammunition.  The first round from the magazine was charged by dropping the bolt, then, a click of the hammer, fail to fire.    Upon attempting to extract the round, it was a little stuck. A slight bump and it ejected, showing a light primer strike.  I am thinking the case was slightly under size, moving forward into the chamber enough during the hammer fall as to not ignite the primer.  The other 39 rounds of Wolf I fired fed and cycled with out a problem.  The cycling of the ammo was pretty amusing to me.  Very slow and methodical.  One could almost feel the click clack of the BCG.  Recoil was real soft with this ammo. Even though the round felt anemic, the cases ejected nicely and bolt locked back on every empty magazine.  All other ammo tried (about 100 rounds give or take) functioned perfectly.

So far very happy with the build and had fun.  Got a Magpul sling and going to get a light mount up coming, also probably going to look for a red dot for this guy to make it a little quicker to shoot.

How do you like the DD irons? Really like the build by the way.

How do you like the DD irons? Really like the build by the way.

They are great.  The sights are good for single zero shooting.  The rear is only windage adjustable with a bullet tip, not elevation adjustable,  so changing elevation is a front sight proposition. Once zeroed, it is a set it and forget it.  this is fine for close in to the max point blank range, which is I believe 200/250yards? off a 50 yard zero.   

They are solid sights. I like them.

Saying that, I just got a KAC flip up/elevation adj rear from a friend.  I also got a nice Christmas present from mommy...  I'll post that up later.   

congrats on the lightweight build.   

I held a 2a armament rifle at lgs on maui. Lightest metal ar ive held ever.

Final Build sheet with prices.  Whoa spent a little tooooo much...

Final Build sheet with prices.  Whoa spent a little tooooo much...

Wow! All those little parts tend to add up real quick. Still a very nice rifle.

I'd be afraid to tally up what I spent on the two ARs that I shoot most often.   

I like that handguard/rail!  My next AR will have something very similar.