StarWolf

Grock 20 inbound. Second 10mm to my Kimber Eclipse.

I tend to be pretty conservative in working on them. I've brought back to shooting shape a Browning High Power that someone had butchered into dangerous. At some point after the 1903 I'll be swapping some parts in a CZ52 pistol that currently has a second trigger in the stupid decocker that should never have been. I need to fit a new stock to a Browning BAR that I picked up about six months ago with a shattered wrist. The period variable scope and Lyman tip off mount have got to go. The scope no longer holds vaccume and the tip off mount looks like it was never correctly fitted. I'm thinking a new EGW mount and a scope that still holds pressure. None of these are collector grade and having them functional is more important to me than maintaining a all original but not real useful and possibly dangerous relic.

U.S. Armaments Corp. did an excellent job of getting my orders out to me. The first two shipments were in by last Saturday. The last one with the blued barrel showed on Monday. Work is busy right now so I haven't started taking down the pistol and swapping parts but in the next couple weekends that's probably going to happen. Pics to follow.

I'm calling this a refurbishment rather than a restoration since I'm mostly swapping in new production parts from a company other than Colt.

Several years ago, while I was helping out at my friend's gunshop, I was offered a little Colt 1903 that had belonged to an employee of the shop under the previous owner. The price was pretty reasonable so I picked it up. I've shot the gun on a few outings and it's fun but the inside of the barrel is a bit rough. I've been looking to pick up a barrel either used in better shape or new if available. I have seen some barrels at Gun Parts and Brownells listed as New Colt Mfg but they always seem to be out of stock and reviews have been mixed. U.S. Armaments Corp. made some copies of the 1903 and have had barrels and other parts from time to time. Last year I was all set to buy a new spring set, a couple mags and a new barrel when they went out of stock of everything I wanted to pick up. This past week several of the bits and pieces I had planned on picking up started dribbling back in stock and selling out just as fast. I managed to get what I wanted on order although it took three orders and a side invoice to finish the 'in the white' barrel. It may be putting lipstick on a pig fitting a new barrel, springs, grips and mags to this well used pistol but I'm hopeful it will be worth it. The Colt 1903 is a fun little gun. It is a bit outdated, under powered, and heavy compared to other options but it is a very solid classic. I have a Sig P238 and a Ruger LC380 that have more power with less weight and about the same size and the Ruger has a LC9 conversion kit that kicks it up another notch. I have a couple Springfield EMPs that aren't much bigger or heavier that hold 9 rounds of 9mm and a couple Kimber CDP Ultras that throw almost 4 times as much lead with each shot at the cost of being a bit thicker. As a result I don't see myself choosing this 80-ish year old gun as my primary weapon but it is still better than a sharp stick in a pinch.

Reviving a year old thread. I have owned two Glocks, a 30 .45 ACP 'Compact' w/ CrimsonTrace grips that only lasted one range trip and a model 17 OD 9mm full size that I still have. I got the 30 in a 5+ gun deal and although I really like .45 ACP guns I just didn't warm up to the gun. I traded it to another guy helping out at the gunshop for what I had in it counting DROS fees and he threw in a walnut M1A stock. The 17 is a great gun, even if it has the wrong grip angle. I've shot a lot of Glocks over the years in 4 different calibers and 3 or 4 different configurations not counting generation changes. I think the 9mm Glocks are good to go. The more they morph away from the 17 & 19 the less 'Perfect' they are. That said, I might get a 20, some time eventually, but if it was sitting right next to a Kimber 10mm I'd be tempted to get the Kimber even though the Kimber costs twice as much.

This is an older topic but since it's been revived, now last month... NOTE, Yes special orders are SOMETIMES an option but the morons in Kalifornia govt have deemed we have to go through a background check and get it at a FFL so ordering it cost you an extra 5-10% most of the time plus background fee and sometimes an additional receiving fee on top of the percentage depending on the FFL. I bug the heck out of the ammo clerks asking for what they don't have. I have clerks telling me they NEVER carried certain calibers I've bought in their shops while Trump was in office. I have had clerks tell me they never even hear of or seen some of these calibers. 50 Beowulf 6.5 Grendel 270 Winchester .30-06 Springfield .30-30 Winchester .444 Marlin .45-70 Govt .30 Carbine (bought a full ammo can in bandoleers the week before the COVID shutdown. You should have seen the stares as I walked out of the shop with it as the other 80 folks there were trying to buy emergency firearms...) 7.62x25 .32 Auto .300 Winchester Magnum 7mm 08 Remington .243 Winchester .22 WMR .357 Magnum .44 Magnum 10mm There's more, .38 SP shows up from time to time but at $.75 to $1.50 a round when it's in stock I'm not typically biting. Before Obama, I didn't think I'd have much problem finding .30-06, .30-30, .300 WinMag, .270, .357 Mag, .22WMR. During Clinton primers got scarce but I was able to scare up 3-5 K large rifle. I've got reloading equipment and supplies for most of these but as has been mentioned primers and powders are hard to replace right now.

I am tempted by the .22-250 but as I don't have ammo in the caliber that temptation is somewhat lowered. I'm also tempted by the 7-08. On that one I've got ammo. Barrels seem to be a bit more expensive. Ammo is starting to show up in some of the not quite as common calibers but .308 is still the most common major rifle caliber on the shelves.

Freezing, snow. Work from home last 3 days of last week, last couple days this week. First couple days last week were shirt sleeves kind of weather. First couple this week were cold. Breezy, Wind knocked a number of 18 wheelers off the road last week.

I think the latest 7.62 pictures has the new slot. Those pics were out before I bought my last, final quarter of last year. I assumed it was some sort of potential interface for a suppressor or something. Not on any of the ones I'd picked up however, including the most recent one. One of the things I like about these brakes, they have been a good match for the birdcage in diameter. IF you put them on a gun with the A frame in the right spot then you can still snap a pigsticker on the gun. IF you put the CAGE on then no more bayonet. Not an issue with the free float guns without a lug.

I got one of the 7.62 ones available last year for my next .308 build and they were out for months everywhere after that. Looks like they might be getting new 7.62 production dribbling in. The GAGE is still listed on their website along with the 300 BLK but both have been out of stock for a while. The 6.5s have been listed just about everywhere as discontinued. I really hope it's temporary, maybe a supply chain or minor redesign thing and not a long term no more available thing. Probably wishful thinking.

Sometimes it depends on the AR receiver in question. The Long button may not be required but it can help with certain receivers. On the other hand, in some cases the long button can be a problem. I seem to recall that the long button didn't work well with either the PSA PA-10 or maybe the Mega MATEN lowers. I had one of the long buttons but found the cutout in the receiver wasn't deep enough for it.

Mark, You owe us some pictures. May I suggest an array of parts if you took a BEFORE picture. Then any progress photos that seem relevant. Also, maybe a build list of the parts you are putting in it capturing both 'standard' BCA items as well as any selected items from other vendors or custom touches? For example who made the rubber recoil pad on that Mil-spec-ish carbine stock?

Got an email from them last evening. Seems like they are selling .308 guns for less than $600. I am going to pass on that. If they made a fluted SS 7mm08 20" barrel preferably fluted I might bite.

I've got one of the CAGE items. Haven't tried it out yet but I'm going to have to. IF it tames the blast that much I'll have to buy more. I'm running a Gamma 7.62 on all of my .308 ARs. A Gamma 6.5 on the .243 Win and 2 built Grendels with another couple in the parts bin for the next two. About three quarters of my small frame ARs are running the Gamma as well. Those that don't have a KAK comp on them along with the PTR-91 that looked a little better with the KAK than the Gamma. I've avoided the Epsilon due to the moronic laws here in CA that ban Flash Hiders. I hope they bring back the 6.5/6.8 brakes in the Gamma. If not I guess after I expend the couple I've got on hand I'll either drop a 7.62 or a .300 BLK on them if VG6 keeps making those or I'll be looking for a different brake. I will note that VG6 does not market the CAGE as compatible with the 7.62 brakes. Any notable wear and tear on it with the .308?

I'm going to have to wade through this thread a mite. I'm not certain you folks want to get into my eclectic mix but here's a few things I've been listening to... I'm going to list the titles and artists as well as the Youtube links since I note a lot of youtube links disappear over time. There's stuff in the earlier pages of this thread for example that's impossible to figure out the music because there's no description and no link either. Meg Myers, girl has issues but she sings her heart out. Love her early stuff, hope she isn't burning up/ burning out. Gotta catch up on her post covid stuff. Vid is "Sorry" also very good are "Monster", "Desire", "Jealous Sea", "Numb", "Lemon Eyes", "Curbstomp", "Hear Heart Head", "Go" Arch Enemy - "The Eagle Flies Alone" Nightwish (A lot to like in their back catalog and I missed most of it when it was fresh) "Ghost Love Score Live" Halestorm "I Am the Fire" (and many many more.) Sabaton - "Resist and Bite" Wind Rose - The Returning Race ANNIHILATOR - Armed To The Teeth More later, maybe

Diane Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, AOC, Chuck Schumer, Buttigieg, and other walking brain dead

I picked up a Milwaukee pack out system for my build tools. PACKOUT 22 in. Rolling Tool Box, 22 in. Large Tool Box and 22 in. Medium Tool Box https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-22-in-Rolling-Tool-Box-22-in-Large-Tool-Box-and-22-in-Medium-Tool-Box-8426-8425-8424/321033418 PACKOUT 22 in. Modular 3-Drawer Tool Box with Metal Reinforced Corners https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-22-in-Modular-3-Drawer-Tool-Box-with-Metal-Reinforced-Corners-48-22-8443/315059793 PACKOUT 11-Compartment Impact Resistant Portable Small Parts Organizer https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-11-Compartment-Impact-Resistant-Portable-Small-Parts-Organizer-48-22-8430/303005741 2X Milwaukee Packout Low-Profile Organizer — 16.38in.W x 19.76in.D x 2.52in.H, Model# 48-22-8431 https://www.acmetools.com/packout-low-profile-organizer-48-22-8431/045242516728.html Got them during the end of year sale, about a third off and free shipping. Might have gone a little overboard. Was planning on shadowboxing the tools but haven't decided to spend money on the foam. Have a MGW pistol sight pusher in a Harbor Freight faux-pelican case. Slide shoes in a Husky organizer in the same case w/ the extra pushers.

I'd like to see MORE on this topic...

To continue reviving an older than particularly useful thread... I picked up one of the Gen II kits on the cheap clearance price. I waited FOREVER it seemed and finally bought a plain jane Gen III lower. The differences in the lower between the II vs. the III were minimal. Not at all notable when assembled. I swapped out the furniture. Might have swapped out the buffer and spring. Added a red dot, iron sights and a magnifier. Seems ok but I haven't wrung it out at the range beyond a function test.

Just got the gauges for .308 Win. Offered to use them on a coworker's build and he declined. A different coworker planning a build he wants me to assemble was glad to hear I'd picked up the gauges. Years ago a friend who owned a gunshop was working on getting his manufacturer's FFL. At that point it's a darned good idea to gauge anything and everything including the 5.56. Different level of responsibility.

Yeah, I recommended the heavy .308 carbine buffer plus the Sprinco Orange but you know how that goes some times. He's mentioned JP Enterprises but without seeing it I am not sure what he ended up with. I've had pretty good luck with their stuff but I've not gone down the captive recoil system path. I gave him a recommended build list before he got started and mentioned most of the .308 specific parts but he still managed to get a few AR-15 only bits.

So I was having some issues with the barrel nut. I managed to let the wrench slip even though I know better. Got it up to decent torque however with a couple shims in it so that it clocked correctly. In all honesty after the wrench slippage I wasn't exactly happy trying to get it all the way up to Aero's spec 65 foot pounds. A little afraid I'd shear off the little wrenching flanges. The barrel dimple is there, but about half the depth I'd prefer. I may revisit it, but if necessary it should get the owner lined up on the port. He is going to use a captive recoil system. Hopefully this one is for the .308 this time instead of the normal 5.56 buffer and spring. It should go together now and if he tightens the handguard screws and puts the gas block on the dimple it should work next time at the range.

A friend of mine picked up some .308 parts for a build including a M5 receiver set and a handguard. I mentioned it on this thread: https://forum.308ar.com/topic/23723-midwest-ar10-reaction-rod-issue/?tab=comments#comment-368911 Basically he was having problems getting it together or getting it to function. Most of the problem was probably getting it lined up and torqued up. I offered some help and the use of some tools but I don't much loan tools by themselves. Due to scheduling he asked me to torque it up and 'maybe dimple the barrel.' Then there's this thread: https://forum.308ar.com/topic/19425-m5-barrel-nut-issues/ from another member.

I'm interested in your experiences. I've avoided their large receiver uppers. I tend to use Aero M5 lowers and matching DPMS High pattern uppers when possible. 4 of the other receivers I have presently are also high rail height guns. Only the PA-10 is a DPMS Low pattern. I've picked up a few components for small frame ARs that I think were Bear Creek, relabeled as the vendor's house brand. I've picked up a 12.7x42mm (.50 Beowulf) upper from them. I've used a barrel or two direct from them in 6.5 Grendel and .243 Winchester. I have a HEAVY 24" .243 Win AR Stoner barrel that I've decided is too darned heavy to mount on anything but a bench outfit or a crew served weapon that I think was produced by Bear Creek for Midway. I'll mostly agree with you concerning the Heavy Profile of their barrels. It seems they have shifted more toward Nitride and/or Parkerized barrel finishs the last few years. Before that they did a lot of stainless and offered more lighter weight profiles with fluting including some non-standard spiral flutes and the like. More recently they've gone to thicker profiles, gas journals on the larger size and muzzle devices on the larger caliber guns that look like they were designed on the cheap. They have had some attractive prices from time to time. I picked up an upper for a friend and a BCG and barrel for another to get them started on 6.5 Grendel. I've been VERY tempted by some of their oddball caliber uppers but haven't managed to convince myself to bite on them the last year or so.