Category: Technical Issues/Notes

A few weeks back I bought a few Anderson lowers from AIM Surplus for $40. The anodizing and machining look very nice. However the grip screw hole wasn't threaded nearly far enough, even for the shortest grip screw I had. Fastest solution was to tap that hole with a 1/4-28 tap. Okay, so I don't have the most expensive tap and die set in the world, but for my low volume needs, it works fine. I also noticed that the bolt catch detent hole wasn't deep enough prior to anodize, but… Read More

Back in June, I was asked to review the Faxon ARAK-21 upper by the company. I received it in August and just finished up the review. After a phone call with the owner, I made a followup video discussing some of the features of the upper.

If you have read past articles on this blog, you know that I like Shooters Choice FP-10 as a lubricant for the AR-15. I have been using it for years and am consistently impressed with its performance. I generally just call it FP-10 because I was unaware that it was available from multiple companies. FP-10 was developed by George Fennell, who later developed a product called WeaponShield. I had never heard of WeaponShield until about six weeks ago. In researching WeaponShield, I discovered Mr. Fennell's connection to FP-10 and saw… Read More

Several weeks ago I submitted eighteen samples of various gun lubricants and cooking oils for infrared spectroscopy and other testing. If you would like to read more about how the testing was conducted and learn some science, read this article written by the man who was instrumental in this second round of gun lube chemical analysis. All eighteen will be the subject of future articles, many of which will be published this week - but we'll start with the mundane. Four of those samples were CLP, and they are the subject… Read More

Late last year I published parts one and two of a muzzle device comparison; the third part was essentially complete at that time, but I decided to hold off on publishing it until I could verify some of my data. Using high speed video (courtesy of SilencerCo) and multiple accelerometers, I will be able to show visually as well as mathematically how effective each device in the test is at recoil reduction. During a four month period, over 1500 rounds were fired to verify g-force data from the accelerometers. The… Read More

Following up on the gargantuan first post of this comparison is a relatively short yet no less important portion. Especially to civilian shooters, the sound and blast of a muzzle device can be a huge turnoff. Yeah, that new brake keeps the muzzle on target, but if the noise rattles your friends every time you shoot the rifle, and other shooters on the firing line give you dirty looks and move away? Chagrin might give you second thoughts about your purchase. For this portion of the test, 2209 Impulse Precision… Read More

Note: While I work to verify my recoil data, I have decided to release the first part of this comparison, which covers muzzle flash. One of the most popular accessories for today's AR15 owner is a muzzle device. Want less muzzle flash? There's a device for that. Want less recoil? There's a device for that, too. Want less muzzle flash AND less recoil? Some devices even claim to perform multiple functions. I have been closely studying how various muzzle devices perform for years, and this summer, with the assistance of… Read More

- BreakFree CLP - I use CLP fairly often just because I have a ton of free sample packets and try to keep them in my cars and range bags and so on. It works fine as a lubricant in most conditions as long as you have put it on the firearm recently. It offers good corrosion resistance for storage purposes, but isn't all that great for a carry gun prone to rusting. That problem is better solved by a more durable finish. - Dry film lube - No. -… Read More

In my opinion, the HK416 is not a good carbine. This is primarily due to its increased weight and recoil compared to the standard M4. The increased recoil, due to greater reciprocating mass and velocity, also increases the probability of damaged or loosened components. Furthermore, the already high cyclic rate of the 416 is increased further by the attachment of a silencer. As you can see in this video, the cyclic rate is simply too fast for even one of the strongest magazine springs on the market, the Lancer L5… Read More

I have been reloading for as long as I have been seriously involved in the firearm world, and I have over time gravitated to using three brands of projectiles for rifle shooting: Barnes, Berger, and Sierra. I like Barnes' Match Burners because they're priced lower than the competition, but even so they shoot very well, allowing me to shoot more often with the same amount of money. I like Sierra MatchKings because they're available in a million flavors and I am able to find them almost everywhere I go -… Read More