How about a Franken AR..

[Bidah]

We have had some discussion here (thanks Erik) about what to do with the lower that I had gotten earlier this year.  Well I finally did get all the parts and get the build done, but ended up in a totally different direction.  Of course, with a barrel change I can always change my mind later...

The magazines in the pictures are empty, and the rifle is not loaded.  Illustration purposes only!!!





Now for the specs..  The upper is a Colt Contract A1 with a teardrop assist.  The barrel is a FN contract 1/12 twist barrel that was originally 20" in length.  I h ad it cut to 16" and then threaded.  The flash hider is the A1 birdcage (will change later).  The reason for this is I wanted a carbine, but I also wanted the longer sight radius.  I also wanted a rifle length gas system.  Yes, I know that I am limited to 55gr bullets, but that is ok with me as that is mostly what I (and my wife) shoot except for my match rifle.  The darned thing is light, and very handy. I know it is a little retro, being with A1 sights, no fancy rails or other gadgets.  Just plain.  It does shoot pretty good, so far.  I have run some 200 rounds of dirty nasty Wolf through it, and then some good ammo for a function test, and not a single hiccup.  I will keep and eye on it just to make sure that the gas port is open enough.  That was a concern as to the port size as there is not as much dwell time after the port due to the decreased length of the barrel.  It is a fun project, even if it is not exotic as I had planned.  It IS different though.

-Bidah

[ericire12]

Put some shorter carbine length grips on that thing

[ellis4538]

Beauty is in the eye of the holder...Hope I'm able to afford one myself.

Richard

[Bidah]

Put some shorter carbine length grips on that thing

Well I can't, well not unless I go with a free float, and then it would be funny, honestly.  The gas system is rifle length (as opposed to carbine or pistol length), so that front sight is not there for show, it is actually the gas block.

-Bidah

[Hazcat]

I like it.  Long sight length is nice.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

I was surprised to see a good old A1 upper. I like it. A2 rear sights aren't regulated for the ballistics of a 16" barrel anyway. It might look even better with a fixed stock. The great thing about ARs is you can build a Franken-rifle any way you want it. Mine are unique too. I need to get a camera so I post pics. My 16" has an A1/A2 transition upper that Colt only made for a few years. It's like an A2 with with built-in brass deflector but an A1 sight.

[TexGun]

I like it! 

[Bidah]

I did put it on a lower that I have with a full length A2 stock.  While it looks ok, it is a bit longer than I  want.  I have thought about getting an A1 stock, which is an inch or so shorter.

-Bidah

[Big Frank]

I think the A1 stock is only around 5/8" shorter. I could take the the spacer out of my A2 and measure it but I know it's not a huge difference. IMO it would have been better if they slapped an extended butt plate on the A1 instead of switching to the A2. That would allow people to use one stock at either length by switching butt plates. The A2 is too long for a lot of people if they wear a thick coat or body armor.

[ericire12]

I think the A1 stock is only around 5/8" shorter. I could take the the spacer out of my A2 and measure it but I know it's not a huge difference. IMO it would have been better if they slapped an extended butt plate on the A1 instead of switching to the A2. That would allow people to use one stock at either length by switching butt plates. The A2 is too long for a lot of people if they wear a thick coat or body armor.

And that is how the collapsible stock has come to rule the world.