We itemize, so it is difficult to gauge taxes year to year. This year I screwed up and .Gov sent us a good check, so I promptly reinvested some of my money. I bought a CMMG .22 LR drop-in conversion kit. It literally took 24 seconds to open my rifle, take out the old bolt carrier, drop in the replacement bolt, slap in a mag, and I was shooting .22 LR out of my little M-4.



I reload, and I bought a lot of .223 components many years ago, but shooting .22LR out of the AR is pretty enjoyable. I had to break out the 2000 grit sandpaper and some oil to get the parts working smoothly, but the rifle is running like a top now.

The kids liked the rifle this way as well.

Nice, I haven't heard much in the way of reviews on these. Glad it is working for you. . . .. .

Side note, what do you think/have heard on the the S&W M&P in .45 ? Thinking about a sidekick for my 870, to keep it company on those dark nights. .. . . . . .

The M&P has a better rep than the old Sigma.

I really like my Springfield XD in .45. M&P45 full size is a 10+1 rd 45. My compact XD is a 10 rd gun (4" barrel, compact grip). I can also use full size mags that bump mag capacity to 13+1 (has a grip extension that makes it a fullsize gun). M&P had an extended mag (14+1) that makes their full sized gun a mega grip gun.

S&W is less expensive, but a solid pistol. Smaller hands, get the S&W. Bigger hands, you have a choice.

As always, you are welcome to try my toys.

I have big hands. . ...

From what i have seen the S&W is a few bucks less that the XD. . .

Cool .22 DF
Does the drop-in have its own buffer system ?

FR
How about a 50 Beowulf ?
http://www.alexanderarms.com/pvs.htm?q=b

FR,

They are both good pistols. You would be fine either way.

DD,

The drop in kit "is" the buffer system. A tab on top where the guide rod is locks into the charging handle area, which locks out the buffer in the stock. The spring & guide rod are on the upper left of the picture.

Cool looking toy, Andy!

Dogfish---Those are pretty nifty and simple. Have you noticed the need to clean more often using .22lr ammo? It's usually not the cleanest and have heard from others it fouled the gas system something awful.

Should have my M&P .45 the first part of next week ! !

Andy, would love to come down and have a "range day". . . .need to pattern the new scattergun and sight in the .308

Yes, I need to clean the adapter unit after a few hundred rounds. We gave it a second go last night when Hunter and I managed to put a few hundred rounds downrange in about 10 minutes. We clean our AR's regularly anyway, only takes 5 minutes, so it isn't a chore. Supposedly a few rounds of .223 will clean out the gas system. We'll see.

Haven't tested it for accuracy yet, but we turned a diet coke can into scrap in a few minutes to the point where there was more air than can to hit at 10-25 yards.

Save your brass Bryon, then bring it down and we can load up some training ammo. I also have plenty of .308/7.62x51 brass. Just bring the primers and the projectiles. Powder I have. I also have a few "ranges" available.

Nice. I'm eyeing doing an AR build project. I figured on starting with the Lower and going from there.

I've built and stripped my AK--er...um... the one I lost at sea-- 4 different configurations, but now 7.62x39 isn't 1.50 a box anymore and accessories aren't a dime a dozen anymore either like they were in the 90's where you could get side rails, suppressors, furniture kits, and GEN I nightvision for chumpchange.

Is Oly arms still reputable or should I outsourse?

Never was much a AR fan...

There are better lowers out there. The Oly Arms lower is fine, but the finish isn't its strong suit, IMHO. Basically painted aluminum, but mine functions very well. Other Mfg's have great anodized finishes, and lowers have come down in price.

Oly Arms barrels are top notch, especially their match grade stuff. My ML-2 match gun shoots 5 shot groups under a half inch. My heavy barrel upper is very accurate as well. Both are Oly Arms.

J&S has a selection of lowers available, but you should also check out Surplus Ammo & Arms in Lakewood, right by Tactical Tailor. They have everything you need.

Lowers are really easy. If you need help, bring it over and we can get the lower put together in 20 minutes or so.

This.

The one you want to look at is by Aero Precision....very, very nice stuff and low price !
They also make SAA's house brand but the Aero Precision roll mark is more professional looking, IMO. They are the same part.
They also have some inexpensive barrels that are by Black Hole Weaponry, I believe.
They have a house brand BCG for $90.

I've been shopping the sh!t out of AR parts lately, so post up what you need and I might know where the deal is.

My build so far:

Upper - Aero Precision
Lower - Aero Precision
Barrel- RRA/Wilson 16"__SS __1/8 __HBAR profile __ F-marked FSB__Wylde chamber
BCG - SAA
LPK - Daniel Defense
Stock - Mag Pul CTR
Hand Guard - Mag Pul MOE
Trigger Guard - Mag Pul

Mid gas.....(carbine gas on a 16" looks out of scale)

I did pretty damn good on price but have found some even better deals while looking for other stuff.

Nice build DD. Aero Precision is a good lower.

Ditch the "F" FSB. I'd go with a flip up sight gas block so you can scope it if you plan on shooting anything with more than a 1x magnification. I have 2 uppers with standard FSB's, an old Colt SP1 that is 2 years younger than I am, which I love, and my A2 Oly upper, which I might tear apart and make into an A3/4 upper with a flip up sight gas block.

Everything else is flip up or a railed gas block. Big fan of the BUIS.

Nope, can't do it.
One of my must-haves was that classic, signature, A-frame.
Maybe I'll build a 20" rifle some day and have use a fold down FS.
The BUIS are great for their price point and the brand new 2nd generations lay flatter.

I found a deal on a Troy Battle Sight for the rear and it is one fine piece of engineering.

The platform is simply ingenious.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=60227

The Aero Precision upper has M4 cuts, so one would want to make sure that the barrel extension was M4 ramped as well.