CMMG has a budget priced .300 Blackout Package

I just happened to notice that CMMG has a budget .300 Blackout package for just $999.95 MSRP. For anyone who wants to add this caliber to their AR variant lineup, these guys are producing a complete product for the price that many other vendors are asking for uppers. 

This CMMG has a 16 inch barrel with a carbine length low profile gas impingement system. The barrel has a 1:7 twist. It also has a carbine length free float quad rail system. The rest of the components appear to be budget oriented, an M4 six position stock, a basic grip, and a standard trigger. 

CMMG .300 AAC Blackout Carbine

Omni Polymer Lower Receiver - Good for learning assembly and maintenance

It seems like the Omni Polymer Lower Receiver is a good option to use as a base for learning how to assemble a complete lower receiver, and to disassemble them. By working on this inexpensive receiver, one doesn't risk messing up the rifle one is using for regular sessions at the local firing range.

The Omni Polymer Complete Lower Receiver, fully assembled, is available for $134.95. I can't think of a more economical approach to acquiring a base rifle from which to learn AR-15 gunsmithing.

VLTOR iMod Standard Stock Kit - This is my favorite

VLTOR iMod Standard Stock Kit - This is my favorite. 

Everything about this SOPMOD style stock and the installation kit is appealing. The design of the cheek weld is ideal, and very popular. The M4 style six position adjustment system is just right. The triangular aesthetic of the is excellent. It also has a built in slink mount. There are also thicker rubber pads available for the back of the stock to increase comfort. This stock in pricier than the B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo stock, but the extra $50.00 or so seems worth the expense. The MSRP is $159.95, but it seems like some retailers sell it at a slight discount.

http://vltor.com/imod-combokit.html

 

B5 systems SOPMOD Bravo milspec Stock

B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo milspec Stock

The stock is available from the Bravo company web site at the nice price of just $58.00. For some installations it may require a separate installation kit with buffer tube and other parts.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/B5-Systems-SOPMOD-BRAVO-Milspec-Stock-Black-p/b5-system-bravo-stock-black.htm

This is the stock hardware mounting kit, $57.95
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Stock-Hardware-Mounting-Kit-Mil-Spec-p/stock%20hardware%20kit.htm

Barnes Precision Machine - .300 Blackout Complete Upper Receiver

Barnes Precision Machine - .300 Blackout Complete Upper Receiver

http://www.usamade-ar15parts.com/product-p/300blkcur16.htm

Command Arms - MAG17 Clear Action Ammunition Magazines

Here is an alternative to the venerable Magpul Windowed PMAG ammunition magazine. It is called the Command Arms Clear Action Ammunition Magazine. In addition to a window, it has round number indicator on the bottom. Command Arms has priced it similarly to PMAG magazines at $17.99.

Clear Action Magazine

  

 

Noveske Rail Covers - Noveske NSR Polymer Panel Set - Nice

The Noveske - Noveske NSR Polymer Panel Set - rail covers seem very nice. The provide a configurable rail covering system that can be place strategically around other furniture on the rifle, to provide an optimized forward gripping surface.

Noveske Rail System Panels

Here are some examples of what the Noveske rail panels look like when placed on a custom AR15 configuration. It is nice that they come in various colors, so that the rail covers can match the other accessories on the rifle, to produce an assemble result.

There are additional examples I should track down and include here.

Gear Sector Picatinny Rail Panels

A company called Gear Sector sells rail cover panels by Falcon Industries that look pretty nice. They aren't cheap when one considers that a rifle might need one or two pairs. The site sells them for $10.76 per rail section. The description of the product is:

Rail Ladders offer very low-profile 1913 Picatinny rail coverage. The Santoprene material provide a rubbery surface for improved weapon control and rail protection. They can be easily cut for custom lengths, each panel fits one side of a carbine-length rail. Ladders come one panel per package.

Gear Sector - Falcon Industries - Rail Cover Panels

AR-15 5.56mm and .300 BLK Ammunition Compared

A few years ago, a company called Advanced Armament Corporation came up with the brilliant idea to create an .300 caliber AR-15 system that could use existing lower receivers and existing ammunition magazines, requiring only the quick swap of one upper receiver for another. The result is a rifle for the AR-15 base system that employs ammunition that is legal for hunting. To an extent, some branches and departments of the U.S. military, have been experimenting with .300 BLK/Blackout as a way to easily increase the caliber of ammunition used in its otherwise standard issue array of carbines. 

Three .300 BLK variants, 5.56mm x 45mm NATO, and 7.62mm x 39mm

Below is a visual comparison between 5.56mm x 45mm NATO ammunition and .300 Blackout aka 7.62mm x 35mm ammunition. Both types of ammunition fit into standard AR-15 magazines, and both maintain the same magazine load capacities. From left to right in the photograph below are: 300 AAC Blackout plastic tipped, .300 AAC BLACKOUT 125 match, .300 AAC BLACKOUT 220 subsonic, 5.56mm, and 7.62×39mm ammuntion.

Part of what makes the .300 BLK platform convenient is that anyone with an existing AR-15 rifle can purchase a complete .300 BLK upper receiver and snap it right onto the lower receiver of their existing rifle and essentially have two rifles in one. Since most states hunting statutes require a minimum caliber of .243, the .300 BLK caliber is adequate for hunting, so long as other regulations and restrictions are adhered to. For example some jurisdictions limit the number of rounds that can be loaded in a magazine at any given time. The .300 BLK camber caliber can also be useful to developing marksmanship at longer ranges, since the high calilber round has improved long range capabilities. Companies such as Nikon have developed scopes specifically for the .300 BLK platform as well.

AR-15 Gas Impingement System - Animation

Here is an animation of the AR-15 gas impingement system, which causes the bolt carrier group (BCG) to cycle. When the bolt carrier group cycles, it ejects the spent cartridge, and pushes the buffer backward, comprising the buffer spring. As the buffer spring moves forward, it pushes the next round of ammunition into the chamber so that the rifle is ready to fire again. 

Exploring Beautiful AR-15 rifles and pistols is the purpose of this site.

Building and customizing AR-15 rifles and pistols is great fun. Here is a photograph of a truly beautiful AR-15 rifle. The rifle below includes a Fortis Manufacturing free float rail system. The rail system has been augmented with Noveske polymer rail covers. The rifle also Magpul backup sights.