Carbine Build - #ProjectCarbine

The main focus of this build was to create what I call the 'Cool-Guy' AR15. Initially, the project started off as a buildup of a cheap DPMS Oracle, however, after examination of the parts list on the DPMS, I determined that the 4140 steel barrel and commercial spec buffer tube were not 'Cool-Guy' enough for this build. Therefore, replacements were needed. In essence, the parts that needed to be good such as the barrel and action should be of excellent quality where the rest can be re-purposed from existing parts. As the project progressed, the idea, while satirical, ended up being to build a legitimate firearm that I could grow into as I become more proficient with a rifle. 

When I found out that the Oracle had a commercial spec buffer tube, I opted to re-assign the built DPMS lower to another project. I pulled a stripped Anderson lower from inventory and assigned it to the build.  I had set it aside until I could source all the parts I wanted. I had the 4140 barrel and carbine length gas system stripped from the Oracle's upper. I later removed the ejection port cover and forward assist from the upper in preparation for Cerakote finishing. I chose a Geissele MK8, 13 inch rail to act as a free-float handguard and rigid mounting point for any accessories such as a weapon light and front sight. During the planning phase, I setteled on two options for barrels but I knew it was going to be a mid-length gas system and 14.5 inch barrel. I ended up choosing the Faxon Firearms GUNNER 14.5 inch barrel with mid-length gas system. I had initially considered the FN-made, Spikes Tactical "machine gun" barrel but the cost vs benefit of the double chrome lined FN barrel vs the Faxon QPQ didn't pan out for me; I opted for the Faxon for it's QPQ finish and price. Prior to Cerakote-ing the receivers and rail, I knew I wanted and an adjustable, low profile, gas block. After searching and searching, the only suitable option came from Superlative Arms as the barrel requires a .625 inch gas block, something difficult to find in the adjustable form. Given that the barrel is under the 16 inch minimum for Title 1 firearms, I had Moss Pawn and Gun do a pin and weld using a Surefire WARCOMP to keep everything Title 1. I'm not ready to do tax stamps for firearms just yet. While the barrel was getting a pin-and-weld, I had GA Firing Line complete the Cerakote job. Both of them completed their tasks quickly and with quality results.

The Cerakote job is excellent. I ended up with Cerakote's SIG Dark Grey (H-210Q) and I really like the way it looks and feels. It's very modern looking. I've already been putting the durability to the test.

Things are happening in Yettiland. #projectpdw #projectcarbine #cerakote #gafiringline #gunsofinstagram #deadairsilencers #nfa #guns #freedom #9mm #556 #silencer #silencershop #taxstamp #stampcollector #geissele #andersonmanufacturing #sigdarkgrey #h210q #2a #secondamendment

A post shared by Ian Kocher (@der.yetti) on Mar 22, 2018 at 12:25pm PDT

Once I had the upper assembly completed, I topped it off with Magpul MBUS Pro sights because I love them. I also added a few MAGPUL MLOK accessories. With a fully built upper, I pulled the DPMS lower assembly off of ProjectBasic for testing. Once, initial testing was complete, I began sourcing the lower parts needed. I built out the Cerakoted Anderson lower with a standard Anderson parts kit but used a Geisselle Super Dynamic 3 Gun flat shoe trigger. The stock I used was a Magpul MOE-SL mil-spec I had in inventory; a temporary solution until I settle on the stock I want. During testing, I found I had trouble seeing the narrow and dark front sight post initiating a purchase of Blitzkrieg Component's bright yellow / green replacement front post. They also have a tritium front post.

For the final touches I scooped up a Midwest Industries cantilever, QD mount for use with a Primary Arms 1-6 Gen 3 with the ACSS reticle. It wasn't necessary but I had the fine folks at 42 North gun shop lap the mount rings and level the scope. They have done a ton of small stuff to help me get this rifle to a place where I am happy.

The build has run flawlessly so far allowing me to declare this rifle as mechanically complete. The only parts missing from the upper are a Radian RAPTOR-SD charging handle, a bolt carrier group of my choosing and a Surefire SOCOM-556 RC suppressor. I'm considering replacing the Magpul MS3 sling with a Slingster and adding a Surefire WARDEN to the mix. I will look to picking up a Bravo B5 SOPMOD Enhanced stock but we will see.

So far, I am ecstatic about how this build has turned out. It seems to shoot well enough and the trigger break is so clean and I'm running the default 4 lbs spring. The rifle isn't exhaustively heavy with everything. I haven't really been able to do any real shooting with it but as soon as I am able, I will stretch this baby's legs. I have no real changes I'd like to make!

#thisdayinhistory in 1775, the British rode to Lexington, Massachusetts to confiscate arms and gun powder from ‘rebels.’ This resulted in the battles at Lexington and Concord kicking off the #AmercianRevolution This is my rifle. #freedom #2a #projectcarbine #ar15 #thepewpewlife #secondamendment #ar #556 #acss #1776 #rifle #pewpewlife

A post shared by Ian Kocher (@der.yetti) on Apr 19, 2018 at 3:14pm PDT

Finally done. #projectcarbine #guntree #rangedayfriday #2a #pewpewlife #secondamendment #ar15 #thepewpewlife #556 #gafiringline #42northgunrange #mosspawn #cerakote #primaryarms #acss #lancerl5awm #magpul #midwestindustries #surefire #geissele #freedom #faxonfirearms #blitzkriegcomponents #cheaperthandirt

A post shared by Ian Kocher (@der.yetti) on Apr 20, 2018 at 5:24pm PDT

Mental Health is Where We Are Failing - Just My Opinion

I'm tired people shooting up people. I'm tired of hearing how banning semi-automtic rifles will stop mass shootings, I'm tired of hearing the political term "Assault Weapons," I'm tired of crazy people and domestic terrorists committing atrocities and I'm tired of hearing "+30,000 people die from gun violence."

Your Red Herring

Banning AR-15's and similar center-fire semi-automatic rifles along with other proposed "assault weapons" is absolutely a red herring and will not prevent someone from using a firearm such as a pump-action shotgun and/or a handgun to commit a mass shooting. My cherry-picked evidence of this comes in the form of the Charleston, SC church shooting and Virginia Tech shooting where those persons committed their crimes with handguns. In another attack that occurred in Germany in 2002, a person with a pump-action shotgun (an extremely ubiquitous firearm here in the US) and a handgun attacked a school, killing teachers. With this information, it's very clear that an AR-15 is not the only firearm that can be used in a mass shooting. This is your evidence that banning these touted "assault weapons" will prevent mass shootings is a "red herring."

So what will?

Nothing.

As long as people have a basic understanding of what a firearm is and how it works, a motivated person can fabricate a firearm easily and commit a mass shooting (the FBI defines a mass shooting as when 4 or more are shot but not necessarily killed). Yes, banning guns and strictly controlling their access and limiting those who would have access to said firearms will reduce mass shootings assuming you were able to confiscate the ones here in the US one wanted to prohibit (good luck with that blood bath). In parallel, if you ban alcohol the number of DUI's would probably drop since the substance is less prevalent. Though this is the US and we literally have a sport that was born from running illegal alcohol (NASCAR). So again, good luck with that. That's where that similarity ends but the basic idea is that if there is more of something that exists, you are more likely to run into it being used inappropriately. This goes for everything that exists including Free Speech. All in all, you will never see control like you see in Japan and Germany as long as the Supreme Court says the Heller case is canon.

So how can we MINIMIZE mass shootings.

The reality is that we need to analyze the various attacks but from what I can tell, the most common denominator is mental health. Other reasons exist such as a non-violent person breaking down and attacking in a fit of passion/anxiety or a terrorist attack but those are going to be difficult to stop and require a different approach.

My opinion is that the mental health infrastructure is what should be addressed. An analysis of the laws on the books will be needed to see where we can create a precision law, and not a shotgun blast like a ban would be, that would protect people's rights AND lives. Personally I feel that life without freedom is slavery.

It appears that law enforcement dropped the ball with the Parkland shooting and could have prevented it by putting this kid on the NICS list prior to his 18th birthday. It appears they had several opportunities. Remember that we do have a system in place but if we don't use it correctly then there isn't really a point in having it.

If we can improve our mental health infrastructure, we befit from not only in helping reduce these attacks but we also stand to improve some of the lives of those 44,000 people that commit suicide every year.

But "30,000+ people die from gun violence every year!"

The people who push this number clump the 19,000 people who would commit suicide with a firearm in with people who murder the other 11,000. I feel this is inappropriate and unhelpful if not down right disrespectful to those people suffering from depression and anxiety that choose to end their life. By sorting out how to better handle the mental health issue and narrowly tailoring our laws, we stand a chance of not only saving a few of the 11,000 from being mowed down during a mass shooting, we can also save some of the 44,000 who choose to kill themselves, all while protecting our rights.

2017 NRA Atlanta Convention - Too Much for One Day

I had the opportunity to go to the 2017 NRA convention this Saturday. It was pretty cool but there was just too much for me to go over in the one day I was there.

I got in around 9:30 and walked just the exhibition floor till around 2:15 before I had to go work with a client. I managed to cover most of the exhibit floor but there was a lot of small stuff I missed. I didn't even get a chance to hit the shop or other locations. I also missed the opportunity to chat with Adam Kraut. Unfortunately, Adam didn't win a seat this year.

On the upshot, I was able to shake hands with a few of the YouTuber's on site.