Category: AR

Project Vera Update 4

On By Tom LindsayIn AR, Projects2 Comments

Update:

  • The UPS shipping report for the Upper from Palmetto State Armory shows it to be in a truck for delivery.
  • Thanks to a thread on AR15.com where members keep each other informed of available parts, I was able to find a bolt carrier, a bolt, and a charging handle. All from different suppliers. You gotta love the interwebz.
  • As far as I can tell, all the parts are on order and/or enroute.
  • Now all that is left is final assembly.
  • I still have to pick a name. Vera was a stand-in and is probably in consideration, but I am weighing others.
  • I added up the cost, and it’s an astounding number. I will discuss it in future post.

Project Vera Update

On By Tom LindsayIn AR, Vera

Just found out that my upper has shipped from Palmetto State Armory. Now all I need to get is a charging handle and a bolt carrier group.

There is a gun show next weekend so I may just load up with cash and see what I can find.

Good thing I bought PMAGs before the late unpleasantness.

Project Vera – Update 2

On By Tom LindsayIn AR, Projects

I had saved enough money to order an upper for my AR, Project Vera, by Thanksgiving, but, like a dummy, I hesitated ordering.

Then, a maniac coward killed 26 people in school in Connecticut, and the AR world went crazy.

Two days after the incident, I ordered  what I considered to be the perfect upper, and the website said it would only be 1 to 2 weeks for it to ship. This was confirmed by an email from the president of the company.

Sadly, that was 2 months ago, and they tell me they have no idea when it will be shipped.

I can’t say that I blame that gun shop. After all, they are as much a victim of the panic as I am. They are a small shop, and I’m sure they can’t put much pressure on their suppliers.

So, I decided to look for another upper. Finding one that was in stock was difficult, until I found a thread on AR15.com where the latest news of uppers in stock is posted by members. So I stalked it out for a couple of days until I found something I liked.

16in_m4_madnessThis is from Palmetto Stated Armory in Columbia, SC. Granted, it isn’t everything I wanted. It has no bolt carrier group or charging handle, so I will need to buy them separately (First World problem), and I’m not a big fan of the M4 front sight, but I can change that, too.

Here’s what we do get, though:

  • Upper: Forged 7075-T6 upper receiver, with M4 Feed ramps and T-marks.
  • Barrel: 5.56 NATO, 16″ chrome moly vanadium, 1 in 7″ twist rate, with chrome lined chamber, made by FN. Heat and pressure treated, then metal particle inspected, then phosphate coated.
  • F-Marked Front sight post
  • A2 Flash Hider
  • Sling Loop
  • Standard Hand Guards w/ heat shields

Best of all, they say it will be here in 3 weeks, which, coincidentally, is my birthday.

Now, to find a bolt carrier group and charging handle . . . .

Project Vera – Update

On By Tom LindsayIn AR, Gunsmithing, Projects, Vera1 Comment

Some time back I took the plunge started building an AR-15. As with my other guns, I planned to build this with someone else’s money, so it’s taken about 8 months to complete.

So far, I’ve completed the lower. Here’s the specs:

Completed lower

The lower is a an aluminum billet lower from New Frontier Armory, While they have made a name with their polymer lower, I went with the aluminum.

The lower parts kit is from DPMS, via Lakeside Guns. Assembly wasn’t too difficult thanks to several Youtube videos and a resolve to be patient.

The stock is a collapsible Tapco stock, made right here in Kennesaw. I also added a padded ERGO grip, that I got from Adventure Outdoors along with the stock.

Then, the pause. I had to earn more money to finish the project. In the meantime, I picked up some PMAGs, so I can be ready.

+++++++

Time passes. I cut grass, save money, and wait.

In the meantime, I do my research. Based on my experience putting together the lower, and on my research, I decided to let a professional put together the upper. For one thing, most of the houses that did this (and the one I would choose) test fire them afterward, so I would know it was a good assembly.

Finally I made a decision, and started to look for the right combination of specifications.

Here is what I ordered:

Upper

It’s the MWA-16 upper assembly from New Frontier Armory, the same company that made my lower. Here are the specs:

  • A3 Upper Receiver forged from 7075-T6 aluminum with extended M4 feed ramps and T markings
  • 16” MATCH GRADE M4 profile stainless steel barrel (from Black Hole Weaponry) with a black finish
  • 1 in 8” Twist with 3 groove polygonal rifling and M4 Feed Ramp
  • 1/2 x 28 threads / .750″ diameter gas block/YHM front flip up sight / gas block combo
  • Chrome lined MIL-SPEC bolt carrier group
  • MAGPUL MOE Handguards
  • MAGPUL MBUS rear flip up sight

What I really like is all the extras like MAGPUL furniture is already included.

+++++

So, I finally got on line, and placed my order. Bad news, this was 2 days after the school shootings in Connecticut, and the frenzy was already on. I was first told one to two weeks lead time, but it has now stretched to 6 weeks.

We will see. All I know is I’m willing to be patient, I’ve waited this long.

+++++

In the meantime I have adhered to The Diaper Rule, thus: when my kids were young, I knew whenever I was at Walmart, I should pick up diapers. I knew I would need them. Similarly, when I was at the gun store, I bought a PMAG. I now own 4 PMAGs that I paid $15 each for. And, sadly, the stores I go to don’t have any more in stock.

+++++

Where can I order a Skittles dispenser?