wbear

I've had two Eotech XPS2's since 2010 and have had no issues with either. Easy to shoot with both eyes open and nothing is faster on target especially at the ranges you are shooting. I would buy another in a heart beat. At least try one I think you will like it.

A1 bird cage has the openings all the way around and does not have to be timed to the barrel. A2 bird cage has a solid bottom to prevent dust cloud when shooting prone and has to be timed. Personally I prefer the original 3 prong flash hider for looks and performance although I run brakes or comps for real life benefits since I'm not in combat and could care less about the amount of muzzle flash at night.

Faxon 18" Gunners back in stock. Just ordered mine. Only 5 left as of now, get them while you can!

I picked up another one and thought someone else might want to take advantage. Sale ends today for less than $300 with free shipping. http://www.nokick.com/AR_15_Bolts_Bolt_Carriers_s/125.htm

That is a hard question that really depends on the size of your wallet. I use both the JP low mass and full mass carriers with their enhanced bolts. There is no doubt they are superior to a std mil spec bolt in material, finish and certain design features. They work every time I pull the trigger but I could stick a mil spec bolt in there and I'm sure it would too. I paid for one of the best carriers and wanted one of the best bolts to go with it. Their precision-ground gas rings with the carriers roller-burnished bore gives the lowest friction bolt operation I've ever had. I felt it was worth it to get the total package and be done with it. I got the package on sale for $300 shipped and don't regret a dime of it. Buy once, cry once. Good luck!

My SLR Sentry 6 clamp on adj block fits under my ALG V1 M-Lok hand guard with plenty of clearance.

I had a 16" Bushmaster heavy barrel turned down to a pencil profile. When I got it back I had to readjust the sights of course but once done it has been just as accurate as it was before. Taking the weight off was well worth it.

That is the plan I would use. Voodoo is iffy on the quality compared to JP. I have a Voodoo 16" ULW middy that I had to send back because the locating pin stuck up so far a barrel nut wouldn't go over it and they replaced it. Both of the barrels had crudely drilled gas ports, looked like they were taping it for threads. The barrel does shoot well. My Faxon 16" pencil middy on the other hand was fit and finish perfect, crown is more precise and was $100 cheaper. Shoots just as good if not better than the Voodoo. I have 2 JP BCG's, LW and full mass. They look like they were made for the Space Shuttle. The finish and smoothness of operation is an 11. The Voodoo BCG may work out ok but I guarantee the JP is worth every penny!

One pierced primer and the tip will be GONE or welded to the primer. Don't ask how I know. Armalite and several other manufacturer's do not recommend their use at all and feel you are wasting your money. After my experience I definitely wouldn't use one in a defense weapon.

I feel that having to clamp an AR armorers wrench in the vise instead of the tool makes the setup/use harder than it needs to be. Not all wrenches are shaped to be firmly secured in a vise and doing it that way limits the versatility of the tool. Many folks end up using a 1/2" square bar as a workaround to try and make it work like the reaction rod so why not get the rod to start with especially when it is the same price. The reaction rod can be clamped directly in the vise vertically or horizontal and never requires a 3rd hand. It also makes a handy holder when working on uppers.

Don't waste your money on the harder to use Brownell's rod. If you like the Geissele rod get the exact same thing from Botach for half the price. Made in the USA and $49.95, free shipping. https://www.botach.com/kley-zion-armors-ar15-m4-barrel-spline-socket-rod/ Now before someone bashes Botach I will say I have had good luck with them over the years. I have made 3 orders in the last several months including their rod and received the orders from CA to IL in 7 or 8 days. They show 168 rods available. I have not touched my clamshell or barrel blocks since I got the rod.

That has NOT been my experience. I have a couple of BCM uppers and both were oversized on the interior diameter. My guess is you will see random sizing depending who made them for BCM that week. For me the JP ones seem to be more consistent. I think your experience is with their older uppers. Trust me their latest version fits TIGHT! If heat isn't used the barrel will have to be forced in. I bought my 3 last fall and this winter and installed 2 Faxon and one Voodoo barrel in them. Try a new one you might be surprised. Here is some info on it from another site: "The good folks at BCM were kind enough to send me a sample of their new BCM M4 Upper Receiver. "Another boring M4 Upper Receiver you say?" Well, not quite. This one has some advantages over all other ones. Back story, BCM has been buying upper receivers out in the OEM market place for some time. They have discovered a problem with this. First is the fact that AR parts manufacturers will ship you whatever they feel like (meaning don't care if the part is in spec or not). BCM has had to reject upwards of 50% of the upper receivers they get in because they did not meet their specs and standards! Things like the Picatinny rail slots are off or not square and true or the inside dims are not right and your BCG is too loose or too tight, etc, etc.. Having had enough of this, BCM is having a machine shop make these uppers to their drawings. Lots of QC procedures are in place to ensure everything is correct (pics on this to come). There was one small change made from the TDP on these receivers. They made the Inside Diameter for barrel extension slightly undersized for a tighter fit to the barrel. By doing this, you will improve the accuracy of your AR."

A BCM upper will cure that problem, they are all I use now. The barrel hole is purposely made slightly undersize. The spigot is heated to around 250 or 300 degrees (I use a heat gun) and the barrel will slide in. After cooling there will be a tight fit with no play, no messy compounds and no shims. I also use Faxon barrels.

I have 2 16" 416R versions and couldn't be happier. Great customer service too.

Thanks for the replys. I will do some testing and eventually post some results.

Yes a lot of variables. I was hoping someone that was using the Taccom buffer and TTI spring may have some experience to share. I did post in the vendor area as you suggested. Thanks. Right now I'd be happy to find out exactly how much lighter it is than the stock carbine spring.

Need some info on Taran Butlers spring. 1. How does it compare to a std mil spec carbine spring in rate? How much lighter is it? 2. I will be using a JP LMOS steel bolt carrier and either a Taccom ULW delrin buffer (.5 oz) or a std carbine buffer with the weights removed (1 oz), 16" mid length barrel and of course an adj gas block. Please comment on how you think this setup will work. Any hints, good, bad? Will it have a problem locking the bolt back? 3. What would the difference in feel be with this setup if I was to switch back and forth with Taran's spring and a std mil spec carbine spring? Thanks in advance for your insight!