Chaser

The trigger is a Geissele SSA-E 2 stage, which I have on my AR-15 as well. As far as most of my experiences, I've done a limited amount of shooting through the Army (I was a direct commission though, so the stuff I've learned was on my own after the "Here is an M-16, point the skinny end that way and keep your booger scratcher off the boom button"). I can qualify with the M16, but I am not shooting expert....and I can shoot between Sharpshooter and Expert with the 9mm, but I'd rather not let an enemy within 50 feet of me, because the odds are that they can reach out and touch me well before that. End stage is a personal use that will give me a personal rifle resembling a combat rifle, but still maintaining a high degree of accuracy. I have never been fond of big shiny objects, but I don't anticipate hunting anything outside of paper...but would rather be able to shoot well in the event that it is ever required. (As your saying says "Those that desire peace prepare for war.") Distance and precision shooting (to this degree) are new to me, and I've been working on reading books and videos....which has some input, but is also of limited use. Jon

I guess by accuracy I'm not meaning affecting the round already being sent downrange, but rather subsequent rounds by rifle movement. I looked into the LMOS system, but was not sure on whether the performance would be worth the pricing, and have been attempting to research them prior to making a purchase. The concept of getting rid of the nasty recoil sound would be really nice too....but it has to have a purpose greater than that before I stick it into the rifle. Jon

I don't know how to describe it. Basically, the weapon is placed on the ground and the handguards can contact the gas block through a flexing at the connection joint (is my assumption). There was a post on AR15.com and another on I think Snipershide.com that mentioned this problem. I don't have one personally, but I was trying to research at one point since it didn't look like I would be able to acquire the DD Lite Rail II for 7.62 or the KAC URX II in the lengths I wanted...and I had wanted to look for a service rifle-styled handguard. Jon

My primary concern is accuracy. I'm getting a JP rifles barrel and gas block (the adjustable part was again to allow for silencer use without getting gas in the face). Cyclic rate is relatively unimportant, as I cannot see myself pulling a doubletap accurately in the time it takes the bolt to cycle. Felt recoil is of limited importance because I want to keep the barrel on target, but I am also able handle kick. I don't mind spending money, but I don't want to spend money on items that are useless or will degrade accuracy. Jon

That was the thought I had. For shooting with a silencer, the extra recoil buffer would maybe have helped with keeping the gas to the face that I'd read about (I've honestly never shot with a can before), but for routine shooting, it just seems like adding more weight means you have to add more gas, which throws a heavier weight around to degrade the accuracy. If I'm worried about recoil for a little kid, I could maybe justify it. Since I'm not shooting suppressed, not worried about recoil, and not planning on shooting super hot-loads, then I'm not seeing a real benefit to it. The rifle is going to be "done right the first time" (I hope).....so I'd rather not make it so that I'm buying stuff that isn't really needed. Jon

I did the looking around and the Troy MRF for 7.62 was the one I was thinking of specifically, but the TRX only had maybe one place talking about that (it didn't specifically state what the gas block being used was). The MRF has multiple complaints about the handguard flexing, and some people said they were able to shim them to fix, others weren't able to resolve the issue.... Hope this clarifies a bit. Jon

At the start of the project, I had planned on getting a heavy recoil buffer and spring with the intent to shoot with a silencer at some point. As I looked into the laws, Minnesota DOES allow silencers, but they are so extremely limited, that there is no way I would be able to shoot with them under existing statutes. As a result, the question of the heavy buffer comes under question. I have an adjustable gas block, so I can verify that I'm not over-gassing. However, I do not care about the recoil as much, but the heavy buffer could also throw off aim with increased forward momentum. I'd love to get the input of those that have dealt with the .308 platform most. Thank you for your time in this. Jon

I read some mixed reviews on the Troy handguard contacting the barrels. .... That had swayed my decisions away from them. Has anyone had that experience and able to get it corrected? ?? Disclaimer: I don't own one personally but saw some reports and figured I would offer that to look into. Jon

I can't edit....so I apologize for the double posting. Don't want others to read my "derp" moment and get wrong info. I was half asleep when I wrote the morning post. "CAB" is for cardiac issues. .... trauma remains ABC(D) as a primary assessment. I was tarded when I wrote that. .... add I normally work with heart surgery patients and apparently didn't flip my brain back into trauma med this morning. ... Jon

Unforgiven, the American Heart Association has started revamping...they are talking now "Circulation Airway Breathing"...we are old ("I remember when they taught it as ABCs")....lol. Completely agree about the trade/skills. That is part of the intent with networking now, establishing my own for medical care (as definitively as possible), as well as learning to shoot better (and with larger calibers). Threaten my patients or my family, and I should be able to defend myself as well or better than my adversaries. Also I'd recommend having something for rainwater COLLECTION, not just bottled water. When you are moving, you will need larger amounts of water....and carrying 20L of water is not a viable solution. Salt rehydration tablets and purification tablets can be beneficial. If you live in an area with large amounts of vegetation, having a plant and animal identification book could be beneficial as well, to help you more easily recognize poisonous/dangerous animals (obviously more for snakes and berries than bears.....few people would say "Is this a friendly bear?"). Jon

Very true about the Golden Hour. One of my medics wanted to sell emergency kits with IV access stuff and Hetastarch for volume expansion....but there's a reason that the Army doesn't issue CLS those kinds of things, and unless you do IVs there is really not a lot you can do for definitive care. Likewise, some of the medical kits that issue pulse oximeters and other things are great....you can watch your patient decompensate. Bandages, tourniquets (you need to make sure that you know when to apply them, otherwise you can do more harm than good), and other things. Primary care should focus on Circulation, Airway, and Bleeding....and most serious injuries will not advance beyond that primary assessment for a long time. Jon

For those without extensive medical training, I'd start with some of the following: Israeli Battle Dressing (2-3 of them) CAT Tourniquet (2-4 of them) Trauma Shears Asherman Chest Seal (or other form of occlusive dressing for sucking chest wounds, 2-4) 6 pairs of latex gloves A combat pill pack rendition wouldn't be bad either for those that don't have allergies. Tylenol, Avelox (or other broad spectrum antibiotic), and Mobic (or other NSAID like Naproxen). Any space left over I'd fill with the IBDs. ------------- Jon

Also, if medical supplies are desired, I have access to a large number of medical components. With a couple of people, I am the only one with medical training and extensive experience in that field.....as a result, I have helped a few setting up a simplified aid bag and explained basic principles. I've got a few manuals and things, and a VERY large number of supplies. I will be putting together a couple of bugout bags, first being a "survivalist" bag, but second being a "trauma kit bag". +1 on the tri fold shovels sucking. They are virtually worthless. A rigid handle shovel with sharpened edges can do a LOT of damage as a weapon as well. I know of a paratrooper in WW2 that split a mans skull with a sharpened e-tool. The tri-fold shovels could potentially do that ONCE, although I have no faith in them as either a reliable weapon or an entrenching tool...lol Jon

Jeez man, I wish I'd started posting earlier. If you are still looking for pieces, I have managed to scrounge and find things cheaper. For example, I can find AAC Brakeout 51T 7.62 for $105 (vs. $150), and have a bunch of lower pieces that were left over from my JP rifles parts kit (I used the safety selector and the buffer tube spring/detent......LOL. "DERP" Learning curve). Also, I have managed to scrounge and scavenge to find things very affordably (I actually scored the KAC URX II 12.5 inch rail for $350, vs. Operation Parts wanting $675 and Knights wanting $700, everyone else being sold out.) Your rifle looks very close to what I wanted to do....an almost "M110K1" style rifle, but again, my own version. She's lookin' beautiful so far!!! I'd love to help out however I can... Jon

Attached are some of the project pieces. The flash suppressor will be different most likely (B.E. Meyers, as I said previously). I'm ordering the barrel/rail set, then will likely be ordering the scope in the end of the month. It will be very close to done. If desired, I can post photos of the "work in progress" as it comes along, otherwise I'll just post the updates once she's all done and together. Jon Yay for the initial assembly coming together!!!! She's gonna be a beautiful girl... The KAC URX II 12.5 "pseudo installed"....obviously without the barrel, I didn't wanna go twisting it on and off, so this is just a "taste of things to come". Below is my shopping list: Mega Arms MATEN 308 Upper/Lower 308 Bolt Carrier Assembly (Fulton Armory) Chrome AR-308 Firing Pin Heavy Buffer and Spring JP Rifles 20 inch 7.62 barrel (w/ Bolt) Adjustable Railed Gas Block Rifle length Gas Tube JP Thermal Dissipator Custom Ejection Port Cover "Si Vic Pacem Para Bellem" Knights Armament Flip Up BUIS Knights Armament URX II 12" Rail JP Rifles Lower Parts Kit B.E. Meyers 7.62 M60 Flash Suppressor Geissele SSA-E 2 Stage Trigger Magpul MIAD Pistol Grip Magpul Precision Rifle Stock Harris 9-13 S-L Bipod A.R.M.S Harris Type Bipod Mount Harris Throw Lever Arm Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20 ER/T Bobro 30mm QD Scope Mount Triad Tactical Large Skid Plate

Sisco....I have spent quite a bit of time there as well. ....1 year of my life at Fort mccoy that i will never get back. Hehe. Also have been to Oshkosh and a few other places. Jtallen, I think given the numbers of bars and things. ... That was the preferred method of travel....crawling. :-D I will post a few work in progress pics of my baby......gonna try to kick them out tonight with a parts listing

Gnatshooter, I used to work in Mason city and went to school in Fort dodge ( Iowa's New Orleans)..... Have a shooting friend in the quad cities as well. I recently changed my flash suppressor from AAC to B.E. Meyers since Minnesota ordnance is kiinndda vague on weapons capable of mounting a silencer. I am just not sure how a 4 inch flash hider will look. .. Jon

She is rolling along......I will post some photos of the work in progress if desired. It will likely be around a $4500-5000....so will have to come together in pieces. But already getting close to ordering the final pieces to the rifle. ...and getting the optics. The Mega ambi was SO much easier to put together since they already installed the worst of the detents...toolless installation without the muttered obscenities. .... hehe. Jon

Now that I have some progress/project stuff to report, I figured I'd introduce myself. I'm a 31 year old nurse from Minnesota, 6 years in the Army Reserve (also as a nurse). This is my first time assembling a full rifle, and will be my most expensive project weapon for sure (yay me!). I'll be posting pictures once the build is mostly completed, but she's coming along nicely. Initially I was going to build an M110 clone, but as I progressed with the rifle, I really struggled with why they did things how they did. The buttstock is virtually useless, the accuracy reports were so so, and the pricing was insane (yay Knights Armament). So instead, I decided to create my own tactical rifle....based on what it could be. There are some KAC pieces (just since I found them cheaply), but ultimately it will be based on what I want. Looking forward to joining, and certainly want to say thanks to BB Shooting for the Mega Arms receivers....I think I'm hooked on them!!! Also have been reading extensively, so even though I don't post often, I do tend to read a lot. (Amazing how readily the search button brings things to life.) Thanks for all the resources and a great community!! Jon