Jay Cunningham
07-31-2012, 10:39 PM
There are a lot of "signature" guns and gear on the market right now from professional competitors and tactical trainers. I get asked frequently enough about my own recommendations for a carbine setup that I figured I'd do a little exercise in laying out what a (purely theoretical) LSHD Carbine Package might look like. My intent was to pick things that were currently available, commercial-off-the-shelf, and that did everything I think an Earth-person carbine needs to do well, while keeping costs down. The final price tag is pretty hefty, but when you consider how much above the simple baseline gun you would get (hence "package") I think it would be a very good value considering that the idea would be to get a price break buying the complete package compared to if you (the consumer) bought everything individually. I do include the breakdown for the bare baseline gun.
Without further ado, the specs for the non-existent "LSHD Carbine Package":
Upper:
$419.00 BCM Standard 14.5" Carbine (LIGHT WEIGHT) Upper Receiver Group *OR* BCM Standard 11.5" Carbine (LIGHT WEIGHT) Upper Receiver Group (NFA)
$149.00 BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) - Auto
$44.95 BCM GUNFIGHTER charging handle (5.56mm/.223) w/ Mod 3 (LARGE) Latch
$65.00 Daniel Defense A1.5 fixed rear sight
$22.95 M4 handguards
________
$700.90
Lower:
$380.00 BCM4 Lower Receiver Group (includes receiver extension, M4 Stock, H Buffer, Magpul MOE Enhanced Trigger Guard, BCM Gunfighter's Grip Mod 0 *OR* 1)
$149.95 Boonie Packer Machined Aluminum Redi-Mag
$28.45 Magpul BAD (Battery Assist Device)
________
$558.40
Accessories:
$400.00 Aimpoint PRO optic
$59.95 TMC 1" LIGHT MOUNT-N-SLOT
$74.10 SF G2X tactical flashlight
$39.95 TM QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT
$35.95 MI#10 Sling Mount - Rear
$34.95 Blue Force Gear Victory 2 point sling
$27.00 (x2) 1.25 Inch HD QD Sling Swivel, Flush Button
$64.95 (x5) NHMTG 5.56 30rd AR15 Magazine with Magpul Follower *OR* NHMTG 5.56 20rd AR15 Magazine
$69.95 spare BCM AR15 Bolt Assembly (MPI)
$8.99 Weapon Shield Gun Oil 4 oz Liquid
$52.99 Otis AR15 / M16 Cleaning System
$8.00 Stainless Steel A2 Sight Tool
$8.00 .223 Broken Shell Extractor
$360.00 1,000 rounds 5.56mm ammunition
________
$1248.78
So the total comes in at right around $2510.00 for the package and $1260.00 for the base gun with no accoutrements. Add $200.00 for the NFA tax stamp *OR* $45.00 for the perm install extended FH.
Rationale:
The non-existent "LSHD Carbine" would be a BCM gun. I think BCM is right up there with Colt in quality control, but BCM has some options that you just can't easily get with Colt. Plus, a large number of accessories that I listed were conveniently priced right off of BCM's site. I would not hesitate to recommend either a Colt or a BCM AR-15; I have no affiliation with either Colt or BCM.
If NFA is allowable and practical then I recommend the 11.5" barrel; if not, I recommend the 14.5" barrel with the pinned extended birdcage FH. I recommend both with "lightweight" profiles, and both with "carbine" gas systems (you really have no option on the 11.5" anyway). The 11.5" recommendation probably gets past with minimal controversy, but I can already hear the howls of "WHY NOT A MIDLENGTH??????" regarding the 14.5” upper, so I'll address my reasoning:
The 14.5" barrel/carbine gas system IS the M4 carbine. We know everything about it. Colt *may* know a thing or two about the engineering that went into the gun and the pressures and the timing and all the other stuff. We have a Mt. Everest worth of data on how this system operates and how it fails and how you need to keep it running. I have no problem with midlength guns (I have one) but my belief is that they can easily ride closer to the edge of unreliability. My preference is for a more positive extraction and more robust operating cycle than it is for "softer-shooting". In addition, balance is more important to me than total overall weight, and the light 11.5 or 14.5 with the gas block closer to the receiver will balance better than a 16” midlength. I skipped the hammer-forged option because in my opinion it is much ado about nothing for some extra shekels. As long as the barrel and chamber are chrome-lined, then I'm happy.
The BCM Gunfighter charging handle is a home run, IMO. It does everything the original part does, but better. The reason I recommend the largest size latch is because if you're going to get a bigger latch, then get a bigger latch. If you're worried about it "getting hung up on gear", think for a moment what kind of "gear" it will supposedly get hung up on and why no other sticky-outy parts get hung up too.
I like the simplicity of the DD fixed rear sight, and I think in conjunction with a 30mm tube (and a lower third co-witness) fixed sights make a lot of sense.
I think freefloat rails are a great invention and I am a fan. That said, with the advent of Impact Weapon Components Mount-N-Slot stuff (no, they don't give me any money or free gear) you can easily mount flashlight and sling attachment points to your standard handguard. These work very well and cost a lot less than a free float rail, yet require no disassembly of the D-ring or barrel.
The latest trend in optics is the Aimpoint Micro, and I've been a big user of these little optics myself. However there's no doubt in my mind that the 30mm tube is more forgiving than the 20mm tube in regards to head position and target acquisition. Plus the PRO costs a lot less.
If you think that the primary use of the WML will be outdoors you may want to consider a WML with an incandescent bulb. An older G2 Nitrolon with a 120 lumen bulb is a good choice. Otherwise the newer LED lights are very robust, have long life, and work well indoors.
I like being able to easily remove the sling and QD buttons haven't failed on me so far. I picked two with recessed buttons to guard against inadvertent sling release. I can live with the sling being mounted through the rear of the buttstock, but the front has to be QD for me.
The M4 stock generally is just fine. If you really can't stand it there are lots of choices and there is no work involved to change it out; I like the VLTOR iMod and the SOPMOD as alternate upgrades.
Use the H buffer with the 11.5" and the 14.5" - the engineering has been done, gas port sizes are standardized, dwell times and operating pressures are clearly understood. This comes standard with the lower.
The A2 grip is pretty lousy for several reasons. I tried the BCM Gunfighter grip on a whim, but I am now a believer. This grip happens to come standard on the BCM lower anyway, so huzzah. My preference is for the model with extra backstrap on the receiver, because it seems to position the hand to more comfortably operate the safety.
I think that the likelihood is high that a normal Earth-person armed with a long gun is probably not going to have a sidearm and probably not going to have a mag carrier on their hip or chest. I think it's important to have an extra mag on the gun and also to have the capability of a very fast reload, which is why I recommend a Boonie Packer Redi-Mag. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon and bashing the MagPul BAD Lever, I'll simply say that it's a good idea executed in a mediocre fashion. When it works, it's very slick - but it *can* cause issues with the proper operation of the rifle. I wouldn’t recommend one except in conjunction with the Redi-Mag.
Magazines are a big sticking point (sometimes literally) and most of the uproar is just stupidity. My preference is still for aluminum magazines, 20 or 30 rounders, depending upon your preference and application. For me, NHMTG are still the gold standard. I don’t really think MagPul followers are necessary in semi-auto carbines, but they are already installed and cheap where I priced them from.
The adjustable 2 point sling is mandatory... the one I picked is probably the most cost-effective. There are several out there and they all seem to work well.
So besides the base gun and the sling, optic, WML, and five magazines would be a complete spare bolt assembly, a bottle of CLP type lube, a cleaning kit, an iron sight adjustment tool, and a .223 broken shell extractor.
I'd also include 1,000 rounds of (decent!) ammunition so you could actually go out and shoot the thing. I used $360 as a very general number because ammo fluctuates so much compared to the other stuff. I consider Prvi or PMC "decent" ammunition. I do not consider Wolf or other commercial Russian crap to be “decent”. Minus the $360 ammo allotment and supposing that there could be a bit of a discount on all the individual parts if offered together, the final Package could come in at right around $2,000.00.
Without further ado, the specs for the non-existent "LSHD Carbine Package":
Upper:
$419.00 BCM Standard 14.5" Carbine (LIGHT WEIGHT) Upper Receiver Group *OR* BCM Standard 11.5" Carbine (LIGHT WEIGHT) Upper Receiver Group (NFA)
$149.00 BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) - Auto
$44.95 BCM GUNFIGHTER charging handle (5.56mm/.223) w/ Mod 3 (LARGE) Latch
$65.00 Daniel Defense A1.5 fixed rear sight
$22.95 M4 handguards
________
$700.90
Lower:
$380.00 BCM4 Lower Receiver Group (includes receiver extension, M4 Stock, H Buffer, Magpul MOE Enhanced Trigger Guard, BCM Gunfighter's Grip Mod 0 *OR* 1)
$149.95 Boonie Packer Machined Aluminum Redi-Mag
$28.45 Magpul BAD (Battery Assist Device)
________
$558.40
Accessories:
$400.00 Aimpoint PRO optic
$59.95 TMC 1" LIGHT MOUNT-N-SLOT
$74.10 SF G2X tactical flashlight
$39.95 TM QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT
$35.95 MI#10 Sling Mount - Rear
$34.95 Blue Force Gear Victory 2 point sling
$27.00 (x2) 1.25 Inch HD QD Sling Swivel, Flush Button
$64.95 (x5) NHMTG 5.56 30rd AR15 Magazine with Magpul Follower *OR* NHMTG 5.56 20rd AR15 Magazine
$69.95 spare BCM AR15 Bolt Assembly (MPI)
$8.99 Weapon Shield Gun Oil 4 oz Liquid
$52.99 Otis AR15 / M16 Cleaning System
$8.00 Stainless Steel A2 Sight Tool
$8.00 .223 Broken Shell Extractor
$360.00 1,000 rounds 5.56mm ammunition
________
$1248.78
So the total comes in at right around $2510.00 for the package and $1260.00 for the base gun with no accoutrements. Add $200.00 for the NFA tax stamp *OR* $45.00 for the perm install extended FH.
Rationale:
The non-existent "LSHD Carbine" would be a BCM gun. I think BCM is right up there with Colt in quality control, but BCM has some options that you just can't easily get with Colt. Plus, a large number of accessories that I listed were conveniently priced right off of BCM's site. I would not hesitate to recommend either a Colt or a BCM AR-15; I have no affiliation with either Colt or BCM.
If NFA is allowable and practical then I recommend the 11.5" barrel; if not, I recommend the 14.5" barrel with the pinned extended birdcage FH. I recommend both with "lightweight" profiles, and both with "carbine" gas systems (you really have no option on the 11.5" anyway). The 11.5" recommendation probably gets past with minimal controversy, but I can already hear the howls of "WHY NOT A MIDLENGTH??????" regarding the 14.5” upper, so I'll address my reasoning:
The 14.5" barrel/carbine gas system IS the M4 carbine. We know everything about it. Colt *may* know a thing or two about the engineering that went into the gun and the pressures and the timing and all the other stuff. We have a Mt. Everest worth of data on how this system operates and how it fails and how you need to keep it running. I have no problem with midlength guns (I have one) but my belief is that they can easily ride closer to the edge of unreliability. My preference is for a more positive extraction and more robust operating cycle than it is for "softer-shooting". In addition, balance is more important to me than total overall weight, and the light 11.5 or 14.5 with the gas block closer to the receiver will balance better than a 16” midlength. I skipped the hammer-forged option because in my opinion it is much ado about nothing for some extra shekels. As long as the barrel and chamber are chrome-lined, then I'm happy.
The BCM Gunfighter charging handle is a home run, IMO. It does everything the original part does, but better. The reason I recommend the largest size latch is because if you're going to get a bigger latch, then get a bigger latch. If you're worried about it "getting hung up on gear", think for a moment what kind of "gear" it will supposedly get hung up on and why no other sticky-outy parts get hung up too.
I like the simplicity of the DD fixed rear sight, and I think in conjunction with a 30mm tube (and a lower third co-witness) fixed sights make a lot of sense.
I think freefloat rails are a great invention and I am a fan. That said, with the advent of Impact Weapon Components Mount-N-Slot stuff (no, they don't give me any money or free gear) you can easily mount flashlight and sling attachment points to your standard handguard. These work very well and cost a lot less than a free float rail, yet require no disassembly of the D-ring or barrel.
The latest trend in optics is the Aimpoint Micro, and I've been a big user of these little optics myself. However there's no doubt in my mind that the 30mm tube is more forgiving than the 20mm tube in regards to head position and target acquisition. Plus the PRO costs a lot less.
If you think that the primary use of the WML will be outdoors you may want to consider a WML with an incandescent bulb. An older G2 Nitrolon with a 120 lumen bulb is a good choice. Otherwise the newer LED lights are very robust, have long life, and work well indoors.
I like being able to easily remove the sling and QD buttons haven't failed on me so far. I picked two with recessed buttons to guard against inadvertent sling release. I can live with the sling being mounted through the rear of the buttstock, but the front has to be QD for me.
The M4 stock generally is just fine. If you really can't stand it there are lots of choices and there is no work involved to change it out; I like the VLTOR iMod and the SOPMOD as alternate upgrades.
Use the H buffer with the 11.5" and the 14.5" - the engineering has been done, gas port sizes are standardized, dwell times and operating pressures are clearly understood. This comes standard with the lower.
The A2 grip is pretty lousy for several reasons. I tried the BCM Gunfighter grip on a whim, but I am now a believer. This grip happens to come standard on the BCM lower anyway, so huzzah. My preference is for the model with extra backstrap on the receiver, because it seems to position the hand to more comfortably operate the safety.
I think that the likelihood is high that a normal Earth-person armed with a long gun is probably not going to have a sidearm and probably not going to have a mag carrier on their hip or chest. I think it's important to have an extra mag on the gun and also to have the capability of a very fast reload, which is why I recommend a Boonie Packer Redi-Mag. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon and bashing the MagPul BAD Lever, I'll simply say that it's a good idea executed in a mediocre fashion. When it works, it's very slick - but it *can* cause issues with the proper operation of the rifle. I wouldn’t recommend one except in conjunction with the Redi-Mag.
Magazines are a big sticking point (sometimes literally) and most of the uproar is just stupidity. My preference is still for aluminum magazines, 20 or 30 rounders, depending upon your preference and application. For me, NHMTG are still the gold standard. I don’t really think MagPul followers are necessary in semi-auto carbines, but they are already installed and cheap where I priced them from.
The adjustable 2 point sling is mandatory... the one I picked is probably the most cost-effective. There are several out there and they all seem to work well.
So besides the base gun and the sling, optic, WML, and five magazines would be a complete spare bolt assembly, a bottle of CLP type lube, a cleaning kit, an iron sight adjustment tool, and a .223 broken shell extractor.
I'd also include 1,000 rounds of (decent!) ammunition so you could actually go out and shoot the thing. I used $360 as a very general number because ammo fluctuates so much compared to the other stuff. I consider Prvi or PMC "decent" ammunition. I do not consider Wolf or other commercial Russian crap to be “decent”. Minus the $360 ammo allotment and supposing that there could be a bit of a discount on all the individual parts if offered together, the final Package could come in at right around $2,000.00.