DNP

I was liking the 21” idea.

I wanted to avoid an insert. If I go to glock mags I’ll pick up a dedicated lower. After throwing together this pile of parts which we knew would likely have some conflicts...I’d do it differently next time. Right now, cheapest solution is to shave about 1/16 off the front of the ramp on the MEAN Endomag. If building another, I’d likely avoid the Taccom barrel for this type of setup. It looks like a great barrel and if I used it in anything else I think I would want their bolt as well. Maybe I do just need to build a second one and swap parts for what I think I’ve learned. I’ll need to explore some other CA compliant parts. Might order a fixed stock and a Strike Industries grip fin and be featureless. That rear pin that limits the opening of the receivers is nice for that feature, but a pain in the ass to remove your bolt or do maintenance. Gonna make it shoot first and try the Hellfighter out a little longer before I make that switch though.

I’m going to file down one of the mags to fit and see what I get. Switching the barrel would work if this doesn’t.

Naw. The crazy bitch on the floor would have been a blonde.

Tom’s chick is the one from Top Shot. Michelle, right?

Correction. It appears the “super feed barrel” is interfering with the pmag. It’s possible I’ll be able to file a little off the ramp on the MEAN mag to buy the clearance I need for the barrel ramp.

Sounds like my upper will not be compatible with the pmag. Even with the bolt locked back I can’t seat the mag. I’ll have to see if there is material I can remove or if it’s just a no go between these. I’m also contemplating swapping the Taccom upper from my sons gun with this Odin. That may solve it as well. So many choices. Shopping lowers too just in case.

Next up. MEAN mag does not play well with the JP bolt. It will not seat no matter how hard I beat it. Looks like this lower becomes a new gun and I’ll be ordering a dedicated lower. Here’s a pic of how it won’t look when it’s done....next to my sons dedicated 22 we finally got to shoot a couple weeks back. The SLR handguard is growing on me. I like how slim it is. I just hoe I can get it solid. Gonna try the other MEAN mag and look at their “clearance and adjustment” info to see if there’s any hope in salvaging it.

Well....we definitely complicated some shiit. First off the handguard. It relies on the gas tube to be “anti-rotational”. The recommend 35ft lbs for the barrel nut. After assembly and checking the wobble between the upper and lower, I was able to rotate the handguard....and the barrel nut along with it. It might want loctite instead of moly. And maybe a few more pounds of “mmmmf” on the tightening. Next up is the stupid CA complaint take down pin. What’s neat...it only lets it open just enough to drop a mag....what sucks is the way it pulls out and what a pain in the ass it is to separate the halves and do work. Silent capture spring....now, I haven’t measured the Spike tube, but one more rotation on it puts it too far into the lower- so it’s maxed out. The SCS comes with one .03” spacer in case it isn’t proud enough into the lower to keep tension on the bolt. Assembled first without it. And yes, that fucker hangs up on the hammer. Both in and out. Out takes a pry down on the hammer with a knife blade to get her free. Without the spacer...bolt rocks freely back and forth in the upper. No bueno. Disassemble and add shitty spacer. Still a little play. My $500 bolt and SCS cost me another $0.25. Spacer and a 98z approved quarter does the trick. Nice and tight. Aero trigger feels a bit rough on engagement. We’ll see how I like it when I get to shoot the bastard, but I’m pretty sure that’s coming out and going in another AR. Pics to follow.

That aluminum shroud they make up the 16” with is actually thicker than I thought it would be. Knowing what I know now, I’d go shorter on the handguard next time. I think I’d also go with the rail that was thin all the way to the end. That rail flairs out more than I thought it would.

Upper done. Working on lower.

He’s got all kinds of stuff stashed away. They’re hidden behind all his star wars figurines in that cabinet wired up with a green light to tell you when the door is open and a red light to let you know the toaster is on.

Amazed everyday. Someday I’m gonna have a house.

Careful Tom. Last time we baited him for two years and in the end he figured out how to get us to buy it for him...he might be playing the same game.

Mine does. I think I paid JP extra for that poop.

Make a nice desk lamp stand out if it.

That would make a damn pretty 6mm ARC. Just sayin.

They’re just making sure you have a solid grip before it goes bang!

I’m good with the ball bustin. I just like to explain my situation sometimes. Every time I get into anything about this state, some free center of uranus (It’s a term of endearment) tells me to move. With everything on the scale, that ain’t always an easy option. If I was flipping burgers or producing a product that could be built anywhere...moving is easy. We’re in civil engineering and surveying. Our value is in our knowledge of the City we’ve been working in for 60 years. All that means nada in any other town and it would be like starting from scratch and competing with companies like ours that already have deep roots in the area we moved into. I think about it a lot though. I am not involved in ownership here. Hope to be at some point if things go well. If not, I’d be happy if the current owners (dad and uncle) sold the place and made a great retirement for themselves. At that point I’d be free to leave.

The only thread on topic is the “random topic” thread. Scary.

I’m trapped here @DayWalker . 3rd generation in a 60 year old business. Can’t walk away from that. Not just to ditch a few crazy laws. Now, when they finally succeed in making it impossible to maintain a business...I’m out. Besides, I don’t do well in the heat - as much as I’d enjoy having neighbors like yourself as well...wait, I kinda do....we’re just all in the same boat. I’m up in the mountains away from the city BS. Surrounded by people just like me or even further to the right. I’ll hope to have some pictures up tonight. Don’t think I’ll get to shoot it today, but maybe. It’s nice to be able to step outside and shoot whenever you want. Can’t wait to build the range after the house is done. Worried if I build a berm now they’ll come up with some sort of permit they want for it. Give all this up? For a legal 30 round mag and no CA complaint features?

Sounds like we’ll have a pretty similar setup. Thank you for the info.

No worries. You have no reason to know anything about these you free bastard. I think I have a solution.

Looks like I can get the AR mag lock and use both kits. Keep the Hellfighter rear pin and use the AR mag lock up front. Let’s you keep the bolt catch. Off to do more reviews.

And @sketch is a bad mofo...all I can say for the moment.