Re: 3-Gun/Competition AR Questions
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscbigdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm contemplating building a 3-Gun/Steel Challenge competition specific AR, and I have some questions for how to go about setting up the rifle. The local ones we've had around here go from 5yds to 200yds.
First, here's the initial planned setup:
POF GenIII NP3 Billet Upper/Lower
Noveske 16" Recon Barrel OR WOA 16" SS Match Barrel
SureFire MB556K muzzle brake
VTAC JP Forend
Magpul UBR stock
Trijicon AccuPoint TR24G 1-4x24 (or the new AccuPoint 1-6x if the rumors are true)
LaRue SPR Mount
I've seen a lot of videos of rigs, and it seems like everyone is running longer barrels in the 16"-18" range. I was going to get a 16" just to avoid paying the $200 for the NFA stamp, but it seems like getting the 16" barrel would be on par with the rigs the pros use. Is this more for an accuracy reason, or is it a balance/weight reason?
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A lot (if not all) is up to personal preference. Depending on the match, I generally run one of 2 rigs. If it's a more accuracy dependent match or I haven't practiced enough, I run my "ol' reliable" 18". If it's a burner match (run 'n' gun) I run a 16" ML gas'ed rifle that's very light but still shoots VERY flat. The loss in muzzle velocity is about 100 fps but that's negligible even out to 400.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Is weight a major concern with one of these ARs? Do I want a back-heavy or front-heavy rig, or should I be just going for overall balance?</div></div>
Nope. Run what's comfortable. It's an AR. If your rifle shoots under 2 MOA, you're more than fine to do well at a 3-Gun match.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not a fan of two-stage triggers for tactical use, but they're nice for precision shooting. I see there are lots of people running competition two-stage triggers; is there a reason for this? Or should I stick with a lighter single stage?</div></div>
Actually, I think you'll find the vast majority (maybe not in your area) run a single stage JP trigger. It's easy to install and durable to say the least. On my 18" I've replaced the springs twice in 120k rounds.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are there any specific characteristics or parts that I should be looking at/not overlooking? </div></div>
You don't need a "matched" set of upper & lower receiver. On a lower, so long as the holes are in the right place and they're straight, it just comes down to what animal/logo you want on the side. Inspite of whatever 'Joe's Super Tactical' says about their receivers, there's only about 3-4 companies in the US that machine ALL the lowers for all the manufacturers. And, remember that it's just aluminum. If you want a silver finish, find a friend with a bead/powder blaster and strip any coating on a lower priced (not less quality) setup.
Noveske and WOA barrels are great. Depending on your budget, JP and Sabre barrels are phenomenal and don't overlook lower priced barrels from DPMS and Olympic Arms. What? Olympic Arms? Yep. They're SS Ultramatch 1:8 barrels are studs and super cheap.
Surefire brakes are great, and as much as I have 1 on a bolt rifle, they work but are pricey. Again, depending on your budget, don't look past the DPMS/Miculek compensator that's like $20-30 and IS one of the best comps on the market. I run a Triangle Shooting Sports Rolling Thunder on my 16" and a JP-BC comp on my 18". Both are sweet. The SJC Titan is a great comp as well.
VTAC fore ends are just the shi*.
Stock's are a personal preference. Let your LOP dictate which one you go with more than something that looks cool or is tacticool.
Optics: Without going into a long diatribe, play with as many as you can before you buy. I'm running a Meopta Meostar on the 16" and an OLD Sightron 2.5-7x on the 18". Trijicon's 1-4 is sweet. Don't look past the lower end shotgun scopes. Inspite of what folks may think, yeah their lower in dollars, but there's been a lot of winners of major 3-Gun matches running $100 Simmons, Weavers and the like.
I run SPR mounts on everything and other than on the 16" they're not necessary. The SPR's were one of the early mounts that we could find to push the scope out further to get the eye relief right. Now, there are a ton from JP, Eagle or Armalite (I think) has one among other manufacturers. So...check your eye relief on the scope demands, before going hog wild.
Like most things, it comes down to your budget and timing (i.e. how soon do you want to start). Any other questions, just holler.
Rich
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I actually run a JP trigger on my SPR. It's a nice trigger.
What do you mean by VTAC forends are just the shit? You mean that they're really good?
As for optics, the Trijicon is among my top runners. I will wait until after SHOT 2011 to see if the 1-6x AccuPoint is a reality or not. Otherwise, there are several options I'm considering. I'm an optics snob, and I'll drop money on scopes without batting an eye. I HATE HATE HATE poor optics. My eyes are really discriminating. I have considered the Swaro Z6i 1-6x, but it's not a great CQB reticle at 1x.
