I finally finished the CavArms Lower, with a little 5/64" pin needed to hold the buffer retainer down. Since the Cav Arms Lower Receiver doesn't have a buffer tube, it needs a little pin to hold the buffer retainer down in it's hole. I learned this the hard way, but I think I made a last minute save and did it the right way.
Of course, I had to buy 36 of the pins from Brownell's, so I have plenty of spares.
I've function tested it, but I haven't shot it yet.
As of right now, I have everything to build it except the lightweight barrel from DPMS, which is still backordered. Can't do much without that.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Complete Lower
I got a package from Midway on Friday. It had a bunch of reloading stuff, along with a DPMS Lower Parts Kit, a carbine buffer and buffer spring.
Installing the LPK was interesting. The Cav-15 Lower Receiver is very tight in all tolerances. Every part fits very tightly. I lubed everything with Slipstream Lube as I installed it, and the trigger group wasn't too hard.
Some of the parts weren't used, or installed differently because it's a CAV-15 lower. The Selector detent and spring have to go in from the top, instead of with the pistol grip. That part was tough, since I had to install the spring and detent, hold them down with a punch, and try to get the selector in there. This is where that extra tight tolerance became troublesome. I got it almost lined up, then tapped it with a nylon mallet to get it in. It worked, but I smashed my thumb in the process. Pretty nasty.
I also discovered that you need a pin, which isn't included in either the LPK or with the Lower, to hold the buffer retaining pin in its hole, because there's no buffer tube to do that. I'll have to get one of those next week, since I'm on vacation this week.
The upper fits very tightly in the lower as well. I almost have everything I need to finish the upper, except the barrel. I just found out my barrel is backordered a month or two from DPMS, so that could seriously delay the build. Don't know what I'm going to do about that.
Installing the LPK was interesting. The Cav-15 Lower Receiver is very tight in all tolerances. Every part fits very tightly. I lubed everything with Slipstream Lube as I installed it, and the trigger group wasn't too hard.
Some of the parts weren't used, or installed differently because it's a CAV-15 lower. The Selector detent and spring have to go in from the top, instead of with the pistol grip. That part was tough, since I had to install the spring and detent, hold them down with a punch, and try to get the selector in there. This is where that extra tight tolerance became troublesome. I got it almost lined up, then tapped it with a nylon mallet to get it in. It worked, but I smashed my thumb in the process. Pretty nasty.
I also discovered that you need a pin, which isn't included in either the LPK or with the Lower, to hold the buffer retaining pin in its hole, because there's no buffer tube to do that. I'll have to get one of those next week, since I'm on vacation this week.
The upper fits very tightly in the lower as well. I almost have everything I need to finish the upper, except the barrel. I just found out my barrel is backordered a month or two from DPMS, so that could seriously delay the build. Don't know what I'm going to do about that.
Monday, April 12, 2010
New Parts
Just got the stripped upper receiver. That takes the list to Upper, Lower, Bolt Carrier Group, gas tube, and barrel nut.
Next part expected to arrive is the DPMS Light Contour Barrel with A2 Gas Block. 20" long, chambered in 5.56mm with a 1:9 twist. That should be getting here any day now.
After payday, I'll click "checkout" on the upper and lower parts kits plus a few tools for assembly.
After that, all I should need are the handguards. And some spray paint.
Next part expected to arrive is the DPMS Light Contour Barrel with A2 Gas Block. 20" long, chambered in 5.56mm with a 1:9 twist. That should be getting here any day now.
After payday, I'll click "checkout" on the upper and lower parts kits plus a few tools for assembly.
After that, all I should need are the handguards. And some spray paint.
Friday, April 2, 2010
I love Discounts
I mentioned how DSG gave me a "significant" discount on the Cav Arms lower receiver. To get their military discount, I sent them a copy of my mil ID, and they "upgraded" my account so now whenever I log into their site, it shows the normal price, the discounted price, and the savings. The discount isn't a flat rate, but it's different on every item. Not every item is discounted, but the majority are.
Then I placed an order with Brownell's, and as I was checking out it asked if I wanted to register for an account. I figured why not, since I am building a rifle from all parts, I know I'll be buying more from them. There was a little check-box at the end asking if I was active duty military or law enforcement. I checked "yes." Lo and behold, they do the same thing as DSG. Again, not every item is discounted, and the discounts are all different, but some are significant. I saved about 15% on my last order. Good enough.
So far, I haven't found a discount on Midway, but I'll still keep checking their prices.
Of course, there are tons of other sites and companies that sell gun parts out there, and I shop as many as I can for the product I want for the best price. but Brownell's and DSG are getting a lot of my business because of their discount programs.
Then I placed an order with Brownell's, and as I was checking out it asked if I wanted to register for an account. I figured why not, since I am building a rifle from all parts, I know I'll be buying more from them. There was a little check-box at the end asking if I was active duty military or law enforcement. I checked "yes." Lo and behold, they do the same thing as DSG. Again, not every item is discounted, and the discounts are all different, but some are significant. I saved about 15% on my last order. Good enough.
So far, I haven't found a discount on Midway, but I'll still keep checking their prices.
Of course, there are tons of other sites and companies that sell gun parts out there, and I shop as many as I can for the product I want for the best price. but Brownell's and DSG are getting a lot of my business because of their discount programs.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Cav Arms Build
So I decided I'm going to build this rifle from scratch. It'll cost me a bit more, both in individual parts cost, and in tools I'll need, but I think I'm up to it technically, and I want to. The flip side to that is I can buy the parts separately, and spread the cost out over a couple paychecks. In fact, I'll be forced to because a lot of the parts I want are backordered.
The Cav Lower is in at the local gun pusher, so I'll pick it up tomorrow. Pics will be posted.
The Cav Lower is in at the local gun pusher, so I'll pick it up tomorrow. Pics will be posted.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Patient Zero
Apparently my purchase of the Cav Arms Lower has inspired many other WTA members to do the same. Thernlund bought three on his own!
At this rate, DSG Arms will run out quick, so if you want one, they have them, for now.
At this rate, DSG Arms will run out quick, so if you want one, they have them, for now.
New AR Build
So, as many know, Cavalry Arms recently surrendered their FFL and ceased production of their one-piece plastic lower receivers. I'm not going any deeper into that story here.
The whole fiasco made me want one of their lowers.
I found DSG Arms had them for $125, less the military discount, which is significant. It didn't take a lot of thought to order one in Olive Drab. I didn't even know what I was going to do with it. At the time, I was perfectly content just tossing it in the safe and leaving it till I got an idea.
It didn't take long to come up with an idea.
It's getting a 20" A-2 upper receiver, and I'll be painting the full-length handguards to match the lower, since I can't find A-2 handguards in OD green. It'll have a standard gas-block front sight, and carry handle rear. Right now, it looks like the upper will have a light-contour barrel, keeping the whole build as light as possible. The upper I'm looking at comes with a bolt and carrier, but I'll be replacing them with my CMMG .22LR Conversion Kit most of the time. This rifle is going to be all but a dedicated .22. I can swap the bolt carrier groups at any time and shoot 5.56 out of it again. The Silencerco .22Sparrow suppressor will be on this rifle whenever it's not on the P-22.
As for my existing M4gery, it'll be slowly tansforming into the Tacti-beast. All I know right now is it'll be getting a railed forend, a holographic optic (probably the EOtech XPS2-2), a Knights Armament vertical foregrip (I already have that) and a Daniel Defense offset light mount. Don't know what light is going in it yet, but it'll be LED for sure. Other bits and pieces might make it, too. Magpul's BAD or a Redi-mag might eventually make an appearance. There are just so many cool things to put on an AR, it'll take a while to select everything. This will probably all get done within the next 6 months.
I'll try to remember to post updates here.
The whole fiasco made me want one of their lowers.
I found DSG Arms had them for $125, less the military discount, which is significant. It didn't take a lot of thought to order one in Olive Drab. I didn't even know what I was going to do with it. At the time, I was perfectly content just tossing it in the safe and leaving it till I got an idea.
It didn't take long to come up with an idea.
It's getting a 20" A-2 upper receiver, and I'll be painting the full-length handguards to match the lower, since I can't find A-2 handguards in OD green. It'll have a standard gas-block front sight, and carry handle rear. Right now, it looks like the upper will have a light-contour barrel, keeping the whole build as light as possible. The upper I'm looking at comes with a bolt and carrier, but I'll be replacing them with my CMMG .22LR Conversion Kit most of the time. This rifle is going to be all but a dedicated .22. I can swap the bolt carrier groups at any time and shoot 5.56 out of it again. The Silencerco .22Sparrow suppressor will be on this rifle whenever it's not on the P-22.
As for my existing M4gery, it'll be slowly tansforming into the Tacti-beast. All I know right now is it'll be getting a railed forend, a holographic optic (probably the EOtech XPS2-2), a Knights Armament vertical foregrip (I already have that) and a Daniel Defense offset light mount. Don't know what light is going in it yet, but it'll be LED for sure. Other bits and pieces might make it, too. Magpul's BAD or a Redi-mag might eventually make an appearance. There are just so many cool things to put on an AR, it'll take a while to select everything. This will probably all get done within the next 6 months.
I'll try to remember to post updates here.
Walther P-22
I almost made this specifically about a couple of different things. Then I realized I have plenty to say about my P-22.
In general, I like it. First reason is, it's a .22. Second is that it looks like a gun, not a laser blaster or a toy like so many other .22LR Pistols.
When I first got it, it would not feed cheap bulk ammo. I was feeding it only CCI Green Label for a long time. Recently, I just forgot about it's ammo sensitivity and loaded it up with Winchester 333rd bulk pack ammo. No problems at all. I guess it was just a break-in period.
When I got my first Slipstream kit, the P-22 was one of the first guns I treated, and it definitely smoothed out the slide. This could also be why it's cycling cheap ammo now.
Today, I decided I would not be dealing with the magazine safety anymore. I didn't like it to begin with, but it seemed like too technical a job for me to remove until today. I stripped it down using some detailed instructions I found online, and removing the little spring on the magazine safety was very easy. While I had the whole action opened up, I soaked it in Slipstream. I put it back together, lathered up the friction surfaces with more Slipstream, put the slide back on and function tested it. Magazine safety doesn't work anymore (SUCCESS!) and all the gravelly feel in that trigger is gone. It's still heavy but it is smoooooth.
Now I just gotta wait for the can!
In general, I like it. First reason is, it's a .22. Second is that it looks like a gun, not a laser blaster or a toy like so many other .22LR Pistols.
When I first got it, it would not feed cheap bulk ammo. I was feeding it only CCI Green Label for a long time. Recently, I just forgot about it's ammo sensitivity and loaded it up with Winchester 333rd bulk pack ammo. No problems at all. I guess it was just a break-in period.
When I got my first Slipstream kit, the P-22 was one of the first guns I treated, and it definitely smoothed out the slide. This could also be why it's cycling cheap ammo now.
Today, I decided I would not be dealing with the magazine safety anymore. I didn't like it to begin with, but it seemed like too technical a job for me to remove until today. I stripped it down using some detailed instructions I found online, and removing the little spring on the magazine safety was very easy. While I had the whole action opened up, I soaked it in Slipstream. I put it back together, lathered up the friction surfaces with more Slipstream, put the slide back on and function tested it. Magazine safety doesn't work anymore (SUCCESS!) and all the gravelly feel in that trigger is gone. It's still heavy but it is smoooooth.
Now I just gotta wait for the can!
I'm Back
I've taken some time off, evidently since last August. Lately, the guys at WeTheArmed.com are probably growing tired of my posts documenting every single little thing I put Slipstream on and how awesome it is. Jason is probably getting tired of every little thought I have about the new AR and the can, and every little thing I put Slipstream on and how awesome it is.
Then I remembered the old blog. Nobody reads this anyway, so no one will get tired of my endless excitement about Slipstream, or the stream-of-consciousness I have when it comes to playing with my guns. Perfect place to post all that stuff.
So, if you want to read about my experiences with Slipstream up until now, check out Crusader Weaponry's section on WeTheArmed.com. I'll post a little bit about the new Cavalry Arms lower receiver build, and the subsequent build up of my existing AR-15 into Tacti-Beast.
To my lack of readers out there, Enjoy!
Then I remembered the old blog. Nobody reads this anyway, so no one will get tired of my endless excitement about Slipstream, or the stream-of-consciousness I have when it comes to playing with my guns. Perfect place to post all that stuff.
So, if you want to read about my experiences with Slipstream up until now, check out Crusader Weaponry's section on WeTheArmed.com. I'll post a little bit about the new Cavalry Arms lower receiver build, and the subsequent build up of my existing AR-15 into Tacti-Beast.
To my lack of readers out there, Enjoy!
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