AR-15 Redux

1
Ok, so moving to California has been an adjustment. I'll admit it. I really dislike bullet buttons. So, with that in mind, Senorgrand's recent move to the EBR realm inspired me to see if I could come up with a way to be (reasonably) happy with my AR again. So first, make sure you know the laws. Should be obvious, but a little reinforcing never hurts.

Here in California, an adjustable stock, pistol grip, and flash hider all equal the great Satan himself, and will get you thrown in the can without a bullet button.

Fortunately, I did plan ahead a bit, and had a true muzzle brake permanently welded onto my barrel before I came this way anyway, so just needed to make a couple of adjustments.

First thing I tried was the Hammerhead. As noted in the other thread, I find it to be uncomfortable. It's not just the size which is awkward, it's also the grip angle, which you'll see in the pics below. Straight back, and not like any other rifle I've ever shot. Also makes it really difficult to use the safety. I also would need to permanently fix my Magpul stock to be compliant. Not a big deal there, but still something anyway. I'd read some positive things, in fact one of our mods has the Thordsen as well, so after looking at the design, it appeared to address the comfort issues. Also ordered the buffer tube cover and riser for a better cheek weld.

Night and day difference. Much more like a traditional rifle in feel, even though it looks kind of like a weird hybrid phaser blaster of some kind. I'm also pending a different muzzle brake, as some other members can attest, the concussion from this one is.... Pretty serious. Amazing at keeping you on target, but at the range it's a bit of a monster for folks in adjoining stalls. I'll post a new picture of that one when I get around to getting it attached.

Anyway, here's the result.

EDIT: Brake, not break.
Last edited by shinzen on Fri Jul 25, 2014 6:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image
Attachments
Thordsen (800x450).jpg
Comparison2 (288x162).jpg
Comparison2 (288x162).jpg (29.8 KiB) Viewed 2376 times
Comparison1 (368x207).jpg
Comparison1 (368x207).jpg (47.99 KiB) Viewed 2376 times

Re: AR-15 Redux

5
I'm of two minds on the pistol grip. For rifles designed with it in mind, I like it, but I also like traditional stocks. I'll enjoy it much more than dealing with the bullet button.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image

Re: AR-15 Redux

6
Ok, got the new muzzle device reattached. Had to drill out the existing welded blind pin and this time, since I sold my welder, used 1145 degree silver solder to attach it. Heated it up to a dull red and good to go. Now we'll see if the concussion is directed forward like the manufacturer claims. For $50, it's worth a go, not sure I want to pony up the $180 for the super high end one. I actually think it looks pretty cool.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image
Attachments
New Muzzle Device (800x450).jpg

Re: AR-15 Redux

8
Hey guys, just FYI, barrel threads are not an evil feature on rifles. No need to pin and weld. That was a thing under the federal AWB, but not CA. Only time you need to pin and weld is if your barrel length is under 16 without it.

Re: AR-15 Redux

11
Glad you like the Thordsen Custom. I do too, although I wish they could redesign the butt with a bit more styling.

Even though I don't shoot my AR a whole lot, I have reconfigured it several times in both featureless and bullet button configurations.

For when I shoot in BB configurations, I have these things installed on my PMAGs.

http://www.thordsencustoms.com/shop/ULT ... L-KITS.htm

To do a mag change, you pull out the new mag, use the little pokey thing to press the bullet button and drop the old mag, insert the new mag, and you're ready to go.
"To initiate a war of aggression...is the supreme international crime" - Nuremberg prosecutor Robert Jackson, 1946

Re: AR-15 Redux

12
Fukshot wrote:They ugly, but they feel really good. I actually prefer a traditional stock configuration to a pistol grip, so there's that.
Personally I think the thordsen stock is freaking cool looking. if/when i ever get another AR i'm getting one of those. Looks like something you'd see a sci fi sniper using from 40k
Check out my blog Equilibrium State

Socialism is economic suffrage
Communism is the antiquation of currency

Re: AR-15 Redux

13
senorgrand wrote:Yeah...blue locktite for me. ;)
BTW, should not need anything to keep it in place. 30lbs if I remember correctly and you should be good to go.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image

Re: AR-15 Redux

14
And as long as the restriction is in place, can't see going back to a bullet button. Some things about the stock I dislike, but its functional and comfortable. Will go shoot it this weekend

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image

Re: AR-15 Redux

15
Nice one there shinzen. I was half debating about going you & senorgrands route with CA featureless. However, since I won't be doing 3gun competitions, I decided to be evil and go with a pistol grip + bullet button instead. Though I think your configuration looks to be pretty comfortable to shoot as well. Let us know how it goes!

Re: AR-15 Redux

19
senorgrand wrote:Hard to say. I would have gone with an adjustable stock, which would have been more. The hammerhead was $33 bucks (I have two pistol grips in my junk drawer).
That's good. It's rare that staying within compliance costs less. I guess there is an upshot to having ARs in California, you don't get to spend more money on rail accessories. ;)
LGC Texas - Vice President

Re: AR-15 Redux

20
More? Not a lot. Since it was converting it to make it compliant, it was $150 for the complete Thordsen setup with cheek riser/buffer tube cover and stock. Now I've got an extra magpul adjustable stock and pistol grip which was probably $70 or so. I already had a brake on instead of the A2 flashider, so really, about $80 all in over what I would have spent if it was a ground up build.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image

Re: AR-15 Redux

22
shinzen wrote:More? Not a lot. Since it was converting it to make it compliant, it was $150 for the complete Thordsen setup with cheek riser/buffer tube cover and stock. Now I've got an extra magpul adjustable stock and pistol grip which was probably $70 or so. I already had a brake on instead of the A2 flashider, so really, about $80 all in over what I would have spent if it was a ground up build.
Glad you like it. I would almost build one like that just because I like it. How are the ergonomics if you're shooting prone? Any easier than a pistol grip?

Also you could probably sell those evil satanic firearm features to somebody and make a bit of that back.
"No one can build his security upon the nobleness of another person."
-Willa Cather

Re: AR-15 Redux

23
Haven't tried it prone yet, wasn't an opportunity at the range to do so, but it was comfortable from the bench, so that should correlate well to shooting prone. I need to shoot again soon and submit my results to the office at the range so I can qualify for the longer ranges and try it out.

I may sell the other stuff. Probably ought to, but at this point I've got most of the makings of another rifle..... Hmmm..... :hmmm:
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou

Image

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests