Matt.Cross

Thank you sir! Two days in and I unashamedly admit that I'm wrapped around her finger completely. It's all downhill from here.... <dontknow>

Well, I'm not very bright, but after thinking your question through to the point of near self-injury, it's quite clear now. Yes, I can measure it once I get the tools, no problem. I used to have all that stuff, I sold it when I left the machine shop. Hindsight can be a major pain in the butt sometimes.

I'm assuming the SR Gold hammer is longer in any case, but the DPMS bolt still clearly has the correct hammer clearance slot, from a compatibility standpoint anyways. What I'd like to determine is with regard to carrier dimensions, and clearance slot locations & dimensions. If the clearance slot (on the YM carrier) is the right size, it has to be in the wrong location (compatibility wise), I'm only suggesting that the reason it's in the wrong location is because the carrier dimensions could be different. If it had occurred to me, I would've swapped the bolts in the carriers and tested them, just to add that degree of comparison. It just didn't occur to me to try that because the YM carrier and Titan bolt functioned flawlessly in the DPMS upper. This is as good a reason as any to get myself a good set of calipers, I'm gonna have to Sherlock this one out for myself. <munch>

I'm actually worried that the carrier is coming too far forward, and the hammer is being caught or impeded by the back of the hammer groove in the carrier. This is why I believe the carrier may have a shorter length from the face to shoulder. It is also possible I suppose, that the hammer groove is too short, or that my hammer is too long. Based on what my wife tells me, it's probably the latter... <laughs> <lmao> Oh, and to actually answer your question, yes the bolt locks.

The trigger is the PACT SR Gold, I figured that it might be the problem too, but once again, after swapping the failure rate went to 0%. I found out that if you drop the mag and let the bolt seat, the carrier will rest VISIBLY farther forward in the upper than when you cycle it with a mag or loaded mag in. You can then put an empty mag in and the bolt will have enough drag that the carrier comes to rest where it should, and the hammer falls just fine, but when you're firing the cycling is a slightly different inertia dynamic. I'm unable to measure, but if I had to guess, I'd be willing to bet that from the face of the bolt carrier to the rearward shoulder (where it tapers down) measures less length than a Fulton or DPMS carrier would. If anyone would like me to send them my YM bolt to test this theory, I don't mind doing that.

Being that the YM carrier is so well made, and works perfectly in the DPMS upper, it's not going anywhere, I love that bolt carrier. I just don't think it will work with the MA TEN. With the prevalence of proprietary parts and no industry standard, it's practical to assume that tolerance stacking can and will catch up with you. That's what makes these experimental builds so exciting, it's all about finding what works, and what works really well.

Ok, so here goes my range day thread to summarize my range day, and the first shots through my new MA TEN build. I got up early this morning, and called up my dad, and we caught an estate auction and stopped by the local gun show. I found 5 Magpul 20-round 7.62x51 mags for $100, and 20 rounds of .308 tracer for $17, an unbeatable deal in my book. Then it was off to Dick's Sporting Goods store for 5 boxes of Federal GMM and a laser bore-sighter. I took Frank and Goldilocks this time around, I had about four boxes of Bitterroot Valley Ammunition Company rounds that I bought some time back, 2 boxes were 168gr HPBT, and 2 boxes 168gr A-Max. These were to shoot through Frank just to get warmed up and to recheck the zero. I tested four of my new mags on those four boxes and managed to shoot with no malfunctions. Then it was time to switch over to Goldilocks and see what she was going to do. I loaded up my 5th mag with some FGMM, inserted the mag and pulled the charging handle and all was well. I fired my first shot, and when I went to pull the trigger for the 2nd shot, nothing happened. Absolutely nothing, no hammer fall or anything. I'd heard the ejected shell hit the ground, so I knew it had cycled, so I ejected the mag and ran the charging handle, and sure enough, it threw the loaded round out. Now, I'd been shooting well oiled this whole time, so I knew the action friction was at a minimum. I swapped the plastic PMag for a DPMS metal mag that I knew to be good, same problem, and now the bolt would either prevent the hammer from falling, or impede it from striking the firing pin. Taking the mag out and cycling the action by hand many times didn't improve anything, so I swapped the bolt carrier out of Frank into Goldilocks, and voila!, no problems with either the metal mags or the PMags. I put the Young Mfg bolt in Frank and ran a few rounds through it with both types of mags, no malfunctions. I concluded that the YM bolt carrier is simply incompatible with my Mega Ma Ten Monolithic upper, and so it will end up staying in Frank while I order a chromed bolt carrier from Fulton Armory, unless my SI Defense bolt carrier gets in first. Otherwise, the Ma Ten is a dream to shoot, I didn't even run a full box through it, but every round downrange impressed me with the shooting dynamic of the rifle. I can't wait to get it running right and spend another day on the range with it! It also taught me that I MUST get a heavier stock for Frank, I'm thinking he'll end up with a PRS. I'm also really impressed with the Bennie Cooley brakes, they work like a charm! The guys shooting beside me commented on how drastically the felt concussion was with the brake, albeit with a huge grin. Even with the problems, it was a good day at the range. I can't wait to get everything fixed and head back!

I've tried it. You'd need to find a carriage-style screw that's the right length. The screw they give you with the kit has the angled head, and it looks bad standing off the back of the stock. Also, said carriage screw would have to have a hole drilled through it to relieve the compressed air in the buffer tube on firing.

I have been told that the company doing the coating for them has been holding them up, I hate it for SI Defense, they must be worried sick with as many orders as they've gotten.

We'll have to do some shooting together sometime. Meals are on me.

Well, now that I have some pictures of Goldilocks, it's time to write this thread documenting the build. In February this build began when Dave Branson started the Mega Arms group buy. I signed up for a matched monolithic receiver. While I was waiting for my receiver to arrive, I began scouting out parts to complete my build. I ordered a custom barrel and matched bolt from Lothar Walther, and bought a SI Defense Fail Zero bolt carrier at the same time. The bolt carrier was still in development at that time, and though they're now completed, SI is still waiting for their bolts to ship back so they can begin shipping to customers. SI also sold me a MIAD grip, which will ship with my bolt. Brownells was the go-to source for the smaller components to complete the lower assembly. A DPMS lower parts kit supplied the mag release, trigger pins, and buffer stop. A Tubb flat wire spring drives the Enidine hydraulic cyclic reducer. All this is topped off with a PACT SR Gold trigger, the finest I have ever encountered in the AR world. Fulton Armory came through with an affordable, low-profile clamp-on gas block for the .936" barrel I'd ordered. I decided that the Bennie Cooley tactical muzzle brake was a good choice for muzzle rise and recoil reduction, and ordered one promptly. A forum member here offered up an OD Green Magpul PRS in the AR-10 style. Even though I wanted a black one, it was a price I couldn't refuse, so I bought it anyways and Krylon came through with the flat black I'd wanted. After getting tired of waiting for SI Defense and Lothar Walther to come through, I ordered a Douglas barrel from Fulton Armory with a matched bolt, and had Young Manufacturing ship me one of their excellent chromed bolts to complete the build. I also opted for a CAA UPG 16 grip to complete the build. The result is as you see it in the picture. When I got my rifle built, I had Mr. Dave Tooley time my muzzle brake onto the barrel for me, and I'm very satisfied that the rifle is a top-quality build. I can't wait to get some range results to share with you guys. Build specs from stem to stern: Magpul PRS - OD Green but Kryloned flat black, has picatinny monopod Tubbs Flat Wound buffer spring Enidine Hydraulic recoil buffer Mega Arms Monolithic .308 matched receiver DPMS Lower Parts Kit PACT SR Gold AR fire control group Young Manufacturing Chromed bolt carrier Fulton Armory Bolt matched to an 18.5" Douglas barrel, .308, 1:10 twist, .936GB Magpul Rail Covers Harris Bipod on Larue QD bipod mount Fulton Armory low profile gas block & rifle length gas tube, .936 gas block Bennie Cooley tactical compensator, turned to .930 and timed by Dave Cooley SWFA AR 30mm optics mount Non-disclosure agreement optics 10-40x50, Red/Green lit Mil-Dot reticle [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00009.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00006.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00008.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00007.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00010.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00011.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00012.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00013.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00014.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00020.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00019.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00018.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00016.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00015.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00021.jpg [img width=810 height=607]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/DSC00022.jpg Hope you enjoyed it, happy shooting!

Oh no, beating the WonderMonkey is much better. I wonder how long it will take to get us off the monkey's back... <laughs> <lmao>

So am I, my AO is Hickory, how far out are you from there?

Carry on with the advice gentlemen, just be advised that I'm going to be ducking & covering for the next two weeks or so, MIL (Mother-In-Law) is here to help the wife out. If you need me, I'll be camping out under my house with the water hose and a crate of C-Rats.

I was more or less thinking of how well he echoed my own sentiments... It's nice to be able to borrow from the experience of those who have a few years on me. I'm not kidding, I want to be able to put the fear of God in these kids.

Best post ever, PERIOD.

Fantastic suggestions all the way around, keep 'em coming!!

Well fellas, it's time to take my gun collecting seriously and start practicing the art of intimidation. Today at 9:06am eastern, my wife gave birth to a 7lb 10oz 22" baby girl. I'm overjoyed to have a healthy baby girl, and at the same time I'm thinking about 12 -14 years ahead. I'm welcoming suggestions on how to scare prospective boyfriends, the scarier the better. That is all.

I was talking to the NC State Troopers about hiring on, ultimately I decided against it. Had I been making the decision alone, I would have done it, but I have a family and that played a large part in deciding not to. I do appreciate those who have served immensely though. Anyone with civil service or military service is always welcome to enjoy meals or lodging at my expense, regardless of retired or current service status.

I love the Galco Miami Classic, there are few shoulder holsters that are this nice looking and so well built.

You look really familiar, do I know you? <dontknow>

Nice, I like it. Those VTAC handguards look great!

No more waiting now, my rifle is complete, headspaced and ready to take to the range. Pics to follow!

Crush washer. It's for timing the brake. <thumbsup>

... Dave Tooley's shop, that is. I made a visit to the living legend today to have my muzzle brake timed to my new Fulton Armory barrel. He not only timed my brake, but he turned down the OD so my gas block now slips on and off easily. After that, we installed my barrel, torqued it down properly and installed my gas block and brake. All this excellent service at a price of merely $40. It was an honor to get to meet him and see his shop. He had some wicked builds going on, and I got to speak with him at some length in person, he's just as nice a person as they come. I will be paying another visit soon to have another brake timed onto Frank, hopefully this time it will be a little more hands on for me, I'd like to try doing it myself, so we'll see how that goes. Just waiting now for my bolt to get here so I can check headspacing and hit the range. ;D