CAR-15
I've had a number of AR-15's over the many and long years. Some I've bought, some I've built from parts.
Invariably, the ones I've put together from parts have proven to be the better functioning rifles.
This particular unit is a mix-master of parts from the whole spectrum of manufacturers. Despite this, it is THE most reliable AR-15 style rifle I have ever owned or seen.
I can't take the credit for this, I'm sure it's just luck. However, I will never part with this one as it has served me very well for many years.
The rifle as it appears in the spring of '11 (above) - now 7 years old, and with well over 10,000 rounds through it.
The peripheral equipment has changed over the years, but the receivers, barrel, BCG, and LPK parts are all original and still haven't failed - Take that Model 1 Sales haters!
Don't look at me, I can't explain it either. Proper USMC-trained cleaning and lubed with (another surprise) lots of WD-40 and it runs like a Swiss watch!
Here's the same carbine in it's original configuration:
Lot's of outward changes over the years, but all those are trivial.
For most of it's life it looked like this: A.C.E. Skeleton stock, Bushmaster lower, Model 1 Sales carbine kit.
It really has surprised me in terms of longevity, accuracy, and reliability.
Trijican ACOG TA-31f 4x sight with A.R.M.S. quick-detach mount and backup iron sight. Note wear in Norrell's Moly-Resin.
Many, many rounds down range. Mostly steel cased Wolf. I wonder if that explains the chipping?
I also have an Aimpoint ML2 red-dot sight which frequently sights atop this rifle, but lately I've really been enjoying the ACOG.
The front end is composed of a Yankee Hills Mfg. Lightweight railed handguard, pop-up front sight and Phantom flash suppressor.
The full fluted barrel is from Model 1 Sales, and is NOT chrome lined, and still is more accurate than I am. Having read many other more learned "experts" disdain for the "bottom feeder" parts manufacturers like M1S, I wonder just how "learned" these "experts" are. They fawn over Colt's like they were gold. The two Colt's I've had (a 24" varminter, and a true CAR-15) were the poorest performing AR's I've ever had. I can't explain that either. I can only comment on my experiences.
I can't begin to enumerate the number of rounds I've put through this rifle, but I'd guess (counting on the number of cases of ammo I've bought) it's well in excess of 10,000 rounds.
Sometimes I'll put the black plastic foregrips on it, or the full rifle or telescoping stocks, but I almost always seem to gravitate back to this configuration.
...and in another configuration, here with fresh Moly-Resin, full stock, Aimpoint, and VFG.
I have found I don't like the vertical fore grip too much. Snags on stuff. If I need to grasp it any wear "vertically" the mag well works just fine.
And shown here with conventional CAR-15 telescoping stock and the Aimpoint.
This one sits next to my bed. Very much the "First choice SHTF" rifle. With over 70 firearms to choose from, to be the #1 choice is pretty high praise.
This rifle has earned it.