I made a couple of
changes from the brown gun from "A Tale of Two Carbines".
Main role of this carbine is a post-hurricane looter repellent with the
primary expected environment being outdoors.
Port Side
Starboard Side
Current weight, loaded: 10lbs. 14.9oz.
The items that were changed were: Vltor original stock changed to Vltor Emod My
only real goal here was that I wanted to try the new stock. The one
side effect was that, since the stock is longer, the ACOG had to be
moved back a bit. This means that the rear BUIS can't be flipped up
with the optic in place, but the optic has to be removed to see the
front BUIS anyway so it would have had to be removed on the old version
as well.
Vltor Emod Stock
Tango Down pistol grip changed to Magpul MIAD I
added a MIAD to my lightweight SBR and liked it with the fat backstrap
and smooth front. I thought I'd try it out on this one as well for
commonality of parts. I like the way it fills my hand a bit more than
the TD. Going back to the TD after shooting with the MIAD made the TD
feel very skinny and uncomfortable.
Tango Down vertical grip changed to Tango Down stubby grip I
have modified my grip from the "chicken choker" to one with only three
fingers on the vert grip, my index finger pointing forward along the
rail, and my thumb rolling over the top of the 9 o'clock rail. The
tradeoff is that the stubby won't hold the spare bolt, but fortunately
the MIAD will.
Tango Down "Stubby" Vertical Foregrip & Magpul XTM Rail Panels
Ergo Grips Rail Cover changed to Magpul XTM Rail Panels I had been interested in trying the new Magpul rail panels since seeing pictures of them from SHOT 2008. So far I like the modularity, although in some ways it's actually more limiting. With the rubberized panels it was very easy to cut them to length and I could cut them to exactly the length I need. With the XTM panels you are stuck with the sections they come in which cover 4 slots on the rail.
Vickers BFG sling changed to Vickers BFG padded sling This
version weighs about a pound more than the old version (8lbs 11 oz plus
1lb 1oz loaded mag). Obviously it would weigh slightly more with the
double 30 rounders. Either way, the gun is heavy and the padded sling
makes it a little easier to bear.
A2 flash hider changed to Vltor VC-1 Compensator I
was interested in trying out this little widget and finally decided
this gun would be the test bed since I was changing out so much other
stuff. I would REALLY like to get my hands on the VC-A2 because it's
shorter than this one, and I have no use for the ability to mount a
Halo to this gun.
added BFG Redimag Another
item I've been interested in trying out. Always was resistant due to
the added weight and the awkward bolt release. The SDI bolt catch
extender addressed the catch issue so I was about out of excuses. So
far in dryfire practice the combo is very nice.
added SDI bolt catch extender I
got this thing from Travis Haley, formerly of SDI and currently of
Magpul Dynamics. It allows the shooter to engage and release the bolt
stop with the trigger finger. So far, in dryfire only, it has taken
some getting used to and I have to resist the urge to palm-slap the
side of the receiver. But when I remember how to use it, I really like
it in combination with the Redimag. I tried running it for awhile
without the Redimag and, while it's still faster, it really shines when
combined with the Redimag.
