Researching action rifle competition type setups
I am thinking seriously about acquiring an AR or AK and supporting gear to train with and eventually compete locally with at action rifle type matches. I’ve been reading threads here and looking at stuff on YouTube but if anyone has any suggestions on resources I’d appreciate it. I know some things are user preference and that I don’t have enough experience right now to really have a preference. So it’s helpful to know what the general default type setups. I will try to spectate at a match or two and I have a friend who is pretty into ARs, but I still like to learn and read and consider on my own time.
I gather the AK isn’t as popular or as “serious” a choice as is an AR for these kinds of competitions.
any advice is appreciated, even just a thread link - I’ve searched but doubtless my search fu is weak - thanks.
Researching action rifle competition type setups
I’ve had great luck with BCM rifles, and have done quite well in competition with them. My home defense carbine is a BCM as well.
A BCM 16” lightweight hammer forged MLok upper would be my recommendation.
I’m not a fan of game-oriented builds that turn a reliable design into the ‘open Gun’ of ARs. Eg. I’ve seen more malfunctions with JP parts than with all other brands combined.
Once you have a good upper, the tricky part is choosing the rest of the setup: stock, trigger, optic, etc.
Researching action rifle competition type setups
As I’ve said in other threads, I’m only just starting to get into competition shooting now that I live somewhere that has it. So far with a rifle, it’s only been a few three gun matches at a range that favors shotgun far more than rifle. That being said, I have a lot of time on ARs (work and training classes mostly) and I’ve spent far more money tinkering with them then I have pistols so here are my thoughts.
1. Brands: the gucciest of ARs are now pretty much limited to KAC and Hodge. Hodge is closer to milspec in the sense of non-proprietary parts, but they’re far more difficult to get a hold of than KAC. Many consider KAC to be the pinnacle of ARs because they have gone to proprietary parts in a few places that make the gun better, in theory. Noveske used to be in that group but I wouldn’t include them anymore. Both of my Noveske lowers have been tight enough that they’re finicky with magazines dropping free and one of my uppers had a defective chrome lining job from the factory. They took care of it, but the barrel they replaced it with had a gas port that felt large enough that it must’ve been on the verge of unreliable from over-gassing. The next step down is BCM, SOLGW, Centurion, and maybe some others. These guns not only work but will suffice for almost every need, aside from maybe the most extreme and people just wanting to feel special with the Gucci stuff. I’ve spent money on two factory Noveskes and two different KAC uppers, I still have one of the uppers and love it, but I’ve often wondered what the extra money really got me over my BCMs. That being said, BCM barrels have been reported (from a large number of people) to be a little less consistent in the accuracy department, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that proven so hard to say. Personally, I believe that a BCM will not only be a great tool for just about any job, but it’ll also be available in the best configuration because they have so many options.
I’ll post my thoughts on configurations when I can.
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