Project Vera Update 4

On March 5, 2013 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.

Give To A Great Cause

On February 22, 2013February 22, 2013 By Tom LindsayIn Projects1 Comment

Honored American Veterans Afield, HAVA, is an organization which helps returning injured servicemen and servicewomen to better integrate back into their pre-war lives, by sponsoring a great variety of outdoor events like hunting and fishing.

Linoge over at Walls of the City is raising money for this group, and there are prizes. Go give, and sign up, and win something.

Project Vera – Update 2

On February 15, 2013February 15, 2013 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.

This 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 January 31, 2013 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:

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:

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?