Tag: ar-15

I've updated my earlier heat dissipation graphs with the KAC M4 RAS. This is the railed handguard used by the US military on Colt M4 carbines and similar weapons. I did not have rail covers on the handguard during this test, because I was also comparing it to some other railed handguards. Here are the handguard temps: And the barrel/gas block temps: Not only did the M4 RAS transmit less heat to the shooter's non-firing hand, it also allowed the barrel to cool faster than the plastic handguards. This is… Read More

Last month, I wrote about the excellent, and affordable, Spike's Tactical M4 LE upper receiver assembly. I was so impressed with it that I decided to pick up a stripped Spike's Tactical ST-15 lower receiver. Now, I have two requirements for lower receivers: the magwell must be sized properly to drop free Magpul PMags, and all of the holes must be drilled in the right place. Anything else, such as a pretty finish, is nice, but unnecessary. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the $105 ST-15 receiver met not… Read More

I know of no one who personally puts more rounds down the barrel of AR-15/M4 type weapons each year than Mike Pannone. I've had the honor of shooting with him several times, and came away from those brief sessions a better shooter. I greatly respect his opinion and experience on all things AR-15/M4. He's recently completed an exhaustive test of a Bravo Company 14.5" M4 type upper receiver assembly. You can read the details here. In essence, he stripped away all lubrication, replaced critical items in the lower receiver, and… Read More

After my tour of the POF facility yesterday, I was temporarily loaned two POF upper receiver assemblies, one of which is photographed below. The upper assembly has a 16" fluted barrel with a carbine length gas system. It is built around the reinforced POF upper receiver and uses the POF modular rail system, which is equivalent to a 9" free float rail in terms of length. It's remarkably light and well balanced - this rifle would have a neutral center of gravity with a lighter stock. For those of you… Read More

Recently, I contacted Frank DeSomma of Patriot Ordnance Factory with a request for a T&E upper to be used for an upcoming SPR comparison. Noting that I was in Arizona, Frank invited me to take a tour of POF's facility before I tested one of their uppers. It should go without saying that this was an offer I couldn't refuse. Located in an industrial park devoid of any indication that a world class manufacturing facility lurks within, POF is composed of a machine shop - two machine shops, really -… Read More

What do you get when you order an upper receiver group from BCM? You get a box... Inside the box are a hat and a shirt (you may not get a shirt)... There are also some stickers and a catalog... A generous amount of bubble wrap is also included... Inside the bubble wrap is some sort of long, cylindrical shaped object... It's a faithful representation of the military Mk12 Mod0. For those of you not familiar with the Mk12 program, click here. I'll be getting many more close up shots… Read More

I've long been a fan of Bravo Company uppers. I have a supply of BCM hats to last a long time (you receive a BCM hat with every upper purchase). One of the things that most impressed me about Bravo Company was something pretty minor: barrel extensions. Bravo Company products are held to such a high standard that the lack of properly hardened barrel extensions stopped production of Bravo Company upper receiver assemblies for two years. Two years. Keep in mind, we're not talking about the lack of any old… Read More

Among the various carbines offered by Spike's Tactical, I spotted an 18" SPR upper on their website. Because of my previous experience with the Spike's CHF upper, and the reasonable price of the upper considering the features offered, my interest was piqued. However, I had plenty of spare parts with which to almost complete such an upper. After contacting Tom at Spike's about a barrel, I wound up with an 18" LW50 barrel that had been IonBonded black and a Spike's M4 upper receiver. The Spike's barrels are manufactured by… Read More

Not too long ago, I wrote about the Spike's Tactical CHF (cold hammer forged) upper that was sent to me for T&E. It's fast become the standard by which I judge similar (M4 type) uppers. Well, Spike's has a new upper out, and it's definitely worth taking a look at, for several reasons. First, it's of the highest quality. The only difference between this upper and the CHF upper is the method by which the barrel was manufactured - hammer forging versus the more traditional button rifling. The hammer forged… Read More

Lightweight, compact rifles are highly sought after in the United States military. However, the supply of these weapons is often constrained by budget or other issues. The USMC, especially, does not have the budget to replace all of its M16A4s with M4s, as the Army seems to be doing - and apparently the Army is moving towards replacing all of its M4s with M4A1s, or at least as far as the barrels are concerned. Furthermore, the USMC doesn't want to completely abandon the extra velocity offered by the M16A4, and… Read More