The project will be based on a Spike's Tactical stripped lower. Southern Michigan Arms is an excellent place to order one from. He will ship it to your local FFL.
For the record, this is a stripped, brand new lower that has never been configured as a rifle. I decided to start with the lower to lessen the likelihood that I could be accused of building an SBR without the $200 ATF permission slip to practice an...ahem...civil right (I won't get started). I have no intentions of going to prison over this, so any time I have a question, I will be calling the dispensers of civil rights permission slips (The ATF) for written verification and answers to anything that I have a question about. (It might be a long wait, as they're probably very busy figuring out a new way to arm the drug cartels...but I digress...)
The first question many ask is "Why would you want one of those?" Here are my thoughts on it. I am sure there are many takes on the subject, but this is mine:
1.) Pistol calibers poke holes, rifle calibers tear stuff up.
2.) I am familiar and comfortable with the platform.
3.) This is arguable, but with the right round, this would be an excellent HD/CQB weapon. The weapon system could be of limited value in this role with its short barrel and FMJ rounds, but I am not limited to FMJ rounds. With the right rounds, this platform could be pretty awesome within 200 meters. Using the right techniques, a man-sized silhouette is easily engaged at 200 m.
4.) The most important reason? 'Cuz I can...
Stay tuned...
The Lower Half...
Update. Pistol is Complete minus the optics and sling...
I originally started this out intending to build an AR pistol with a 7.5" barrel. After some deliberation, I went with a 10.5", 1:7" twist barrel.
It works just fine as a pistol though, without the stock. So, maybe I won't SBR it. Broken down, it fits well in a normal laptop-style backpack.
The upper is a DPMS, the handguards are Troy. I used the Troy dioptic aperture sights (with Trijicon night sights- they are awesome in low light), a BCM Gunfighter medium charging handle, and a Black Rain Ordnance barrel with a .223 Wylde chamber (1:7 twist, 10.5" length). Feed ramps were polished. That "pig" of a device on the end is the Noveske KX3 "Pig" muzzle device. It keeps the (substantial) noise from the shortened barrel directed towards the bad guy.
Pay no mind to the flashlight location, as it normally lives on the bottom of the free-float handguard. I'm still monkeying with it. The flashlight mount is an "el-cheapo" that I got off Ebay for a shotgun I no longer have. There is, as far as I can tell, no real difference worth 8-10x the price for a "big name" flashlight mount versus this one.
Flashlight is a Home Depot "LED Lenser" brand (Try one, you'll like it, I promise).
As this is a HD weapon, I feel a light is warranted. It's all done except for a sling and optics. I'll run irons until I get the funds for an optic.
