All posts in M4 Carbine Parts

Can’t make your mind up about red dots, Eotech’s or ACOGS? What do you want?

Trijicon TA01NSNI didn’t consider myself and expert on close quarters optics until I heard from enough customers that seemed to know far less than what we I did.  People seem to think about price ranges more than how versatile and optic is.  I have always felt that the best analogy about firearms and accessories is that they are more like golf clubs than tools.  You don’t use an iron to drive a ball down range and yo don’t use a wedge to putt a ball 3 yards.   Trying to do it all with one optic is really asking for too much, and even the military has realized that make a man a designated marksmen in necessary because even though there are guys that can hit targets at 100yds with iron sights, you gotta be realistic on what is practical.

I personally love my co witnessed Eotech sight with my Gen 2 magnifier, but if I had to go with something else, and for probable the same amount of money there is another option.   Probable the most versatile Trijicon ACOG is the Trijicon TA01NSN because the iron sights are not really a backup sight for you scope, they are more of a close quarters engagement.   People that are less trained seem to think that a whole lot of magnification is going to make hitting bad guys easier and unless this is in long range engagements, it is simply not true.

Top

Avoid the “not knowing what to get” when it comes to rifle slings, just get the MS3

magpul ms3 slings for saleWhen I first got in one of the MS2 and MS3 slings in I didn’t really know what it was all about.  I’ve been running a single point bungee sling for several years and never really felt like I needed a  new sling.  I replaced all of my slotted slings with the Promag Ambidextrous dual loop sling attachment plate which pretty much leaves it open to lend my rifle to a right or left handed shooter. Several of the AR15 rifles that I own had to have these attachments replaced because the slotted sling thing just didn’t do it for me.  It’s also a good idea to remove any sling attachments that are not being used because all they end up being are parts that make noise when you move.
I understand there were some shortcomings of the MS2 and now since we’ve cleared them out of the store, were only stocking the magpul MS3 slings.   The best thing about these magpul MS3 slings for sale are that you can basically make a single point a double point sling or a double back into a single point.  If you don’t understand why this is a good thing.  Strap on your favorite M4 Carbine and carry it up a ladder on a single point sling.  Then engage in a few rounds of gunfire against a target that is above or below you.  Then readjust the sling to a two point configuration and get back to me.   Climbing a ladder or jumping in and out of vehicles with a two point sling is actually more practical than slinging it over your shoulder.   The Single point has always been very popular but there isn’t any reason to buy 2 slings when the Magpul MS2 Sling does it all.

Top

Proficiency with an AR15 means customizing it!

I say that in the title and that really is what it’s all about.  There are many things we forget about when teaching people how to use a rifle and I know many people that service in the military in Korea and WWII that said they couldn’t hit anything with the M1 Garand. The M1 Carbine, even though less powerful had a better reputation with guys will a smaller stature.  The best thing about the AR15 design is that you can adjust the LOP and add parts that best fit your hands or body type.

There are many well made AR15 accessories out there but I never really deviate from MAGPUL accessories.  I have put the CTR stocks on most of my AR15 rifles and Magpul stocks for salemagpul stocks for sale  are what I recommend for most individuals.  We have a local police department the just started carrying the AR15 in their patrol cars and all of them are stoping in for gun accessories and customizations.

Top

Firearms may become easier to get, but parts is another issue

AR15 complete upper receiversI spoke to several of our Reps for that work and various high end gun manufacturing companies and they told us that they are no longer taking orders for upper receivers, only complete firearms.  We pretty much figured that out when we saw the panic buying and the surplus of gun parts just disappeared.  I was involved with a company called Section 8 Tactical several years ago and we sold an M4 parts container kit that I would love to revive again someday.  I would hold a bolt, extractor and all of the parts you need if something on your bolt carrier group goes down.

If you snoozed for the last 4yrs and didn’t get a spare parts kit, you might have issues for several more months and possible years trying to acquire them.   Trying to find AR15 Complete upper receivers in a climate like this is going to be difficult but keep your eyes open for reasonable deals.   Prices will eventually come down to some degree but trying to get the good stuff is going to be difficult.  Some of the higher end products tend to not be made in high volumes so those waits are probable close to 1yr if you are lucky.

 

Top

Eotech sights, Aimpoints, and the Trijicon SRS sights and rail space

eotech sightsThere was a good add on a Trijicon facebook page promoting the Trijicon SRS sight and it was mostly about rail space.  That is an issue that I personally have run into because I put several things on my LWRC M6A1 rifle that I started to run out of room when i tried to put a pressure switch on it.  I started out with a vertical foregrip and it worked well with the my Streamlight Scorpion flashlight but after I fell in love with the Magpul angled foregrip I ran into issues trying to activate the flashlight.   I’m still not sure what I’m going to do but once I get the new XPS sights in from Eotech i’m going to retire my Eotech 512 just based on rail space.

Run time is important but there are differences between military applications and Law Enforcement applications.  There have been big changes in the industry and now that solar/battery optics are are on the market we’ll see what the next generation of Eotech sights are going to produce.   The Eotech magnifier is a very good idea for someone that already has an Eotech device and wants to make it a medium range optic.  The side battery switch is something I also really like because it makes it easier to get to if you already have a magnifier and rear sight.

Top

Weapon mounted lights, handguns, shotguns and Carbines

streamlight flashlights I’m looking at all of the new lights that are coming out in 2013 and I can’t believe the changes that are taking place.  We had a customer that recently told us they picked up a 500 lumen Streamlight flashlight from another dealer and mounted it on their new M4 rifle.  At first I was thinking it would probable be a $500 flashlight and it turned out it was an $80 Streamlight flashlight.  I seriously don’t understand how the heck people can justify some of the flashlights that Surefire and some others have made and I think their is going to be a blood bath in the industry when these new and improved versions of lights hit the market.  I remember the Surefire G2 being a staple for AR15 rifles but not anymore.

I never had much interest in the Streamlight TLR-1S flashlight because I’m not a police officer and and don’t need to carry a large auto on daily patrols.   We have a clear out of the older models of Streamlight flashlights for sale in our Broomall, Pennsylvania showroom so stop in if you want to get some really good deals.  There are still customers that want to smaller Micro-stream AA battery flashlights because they are small and compact and are very EMT and Paramedic friendly.  There are a few guys that run car repair shops and also use various flashlights just so they can in and see the hard to reach stuff.

Top

Training your eyes for something other than crosshairs?

Trijicon TA31F-G for saleI started out with iron sights on a 22LR rifle and then shot out of an optic with crosshairs of varying sizes for decades.  I always thought the TA01 was a cool optic because it had the range calibration reticles which makes this a fast medium range combat optic.   Even though these guns loose a lot of energy by the time they get out to 600yds, they still are deadly, and hits are better than misses.   Red dots were the next thing although I was never really a huge fan of them.  I was a better shooter than the red dot would allow me to be, but then I finally discovered the Eotech gun sights.  The gun sights on these make fast engagements.

Later I got to hold a few of the TA31 optics, primarily the green reticle chevron versions, and they looked really odd to me.  I later asked a Rep from Trijicon if he could explain to me how the Trijicon TA31F-G for sale are used.   Primarily the top of the Chevron is for 100yds, the Chevron has a hollow center for body shots out to 200yds and the first pole point is 300 yards.   After that it’s pretty self explanitory on how to use this optic at medium ranges.  The real issue with shooting these optics is knowing how they are sighted in and knowing that you are going to get good use out of it.  Most gun ranges I know of are less than 100yds and most guys that own ACOGS never even shoot past that.

Top

Eotech configurations vs ACOGS

I started out with an Eotech 512 because I basically thought that AA batteries were so common in my home that that was my best option.  I was right, but I learned real fast what the limitations were for the Eotech sights when I was engaging targets at 300 + yards with it.   Those optics are really fast for close up fighting which is why most of our Law Enforcement Officials want them, but they, along with any red dot, will actually be difficult to use at longer ranges.   I find the haze from red dots to be annoying but I personally have never had to use one in a house clearing situation.    The Eotech XPS sights and the EXPS sights are more compact versions with different power switch locations.

Eotech sights while many may claim are slowly becoming outdated, are still very popular.  Sometimes it’s not just what is higher tech, but the Eotech sights that we sell are so well known that sometimes it’s hard to deviate from something that you know works.   I have yet to see somebody complain about their Eotech not holding zero and the quick detach options are very appealing.   The one thing I will say that is you really need to put some thought into how much magnification you want on your Carbine before you buy and Eotech sight because I know many people that got the optic, magnifier combos and later said they basically purchased a Trijicon TA01NSN .

Top

Shotguns and rifles and magpul stuff

For those looking to attach gun accessories to the versatile M4 family of rifles, put some thought into the type of accessories you are looking to put on your firearm like, tactical flashlights, lasers, Streamlight flashlights or surefire. Many of these M4 Carbine accessories are very versatile so make sure you know the flashlight tube you are planning on using before you buy. There are many firearm enthusiasts that have piles of holsters in their closets and flashlight mounts or optic mounts that didn’t work for them. It pays to try things on before you buy.

Shotguns are as easily accessorized as the AR15 family of firearms as well as many AK style rifles. Many of our Magpul accessories are very popular with our customers that prefer the Remington 870 as a home defensive weapon. Troy gun sights, front sights and rear sights are our number one gun sights. We sell many type of rail covers for the Midwest forearms. If you are looking for a fun way to move your Mini 14 carbine from a coyote gun to a blasting Carbine, the Butler Creek folding stocks are as cool to own as they are fun to shoot. Not to mention they make storing your guns in your gun safe a lot easier

Top

Eotech holographic sights are they still competing?

If you ask any of the local law enforcement officers in our area, that’s all you’ll hear them talk about.  Most SWAT Teams are still running these optics and the first rule of an optic for them is they must be able to keep both eyes open.   For any optics like the Trijicon ACOGS, they are more of a  liability for a police officer that may be in a hostage situation at 20yds rather than nailing a Taliban soldier at 4oo meters.  There have been many technological improvements to optics and to some people Eotech might be slacking because they are still reliant on batteries, but for short deployments that’s rarely and issue.  I personally run an Eotech 512 AA on my LWRC M6A1 and I have had some wear issues and batteries fail on me.  I had to super glue the contacts back in and recently heard that this was part of the reason the CR123 batteries are being used and they are also going in sideways instead of forward.

The Eotech XPS sights are smaller and lighter compared to the most popular Eotech 512 AA battery and this means something for those that are running various pressure switches or gun sights.   The smaller lighter XPS Eotech sights are running with the CR123 batteries and these batteries will give you more shelf life than the AA batteries and take up less weight.   The only bad thing about the CR123 batteries is they are not that common in gun stores or retail locations and if they are they are usually more expensive.  Buying these in bulk is a good idea, we normally sell them in 12 packs for $23.99.

Top
1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 25 Page 5 of 25