Yet another critique my build thread

[jhr1986]

This year is going to be my second full year of shooting 3 gun, and I've decided to build a dedicated rifle for matches. All I have right now is the stripped receiver set (aero precision gen ii), but my BCG (JP LMOS) is ordered and on the way. Before I get started with the questions, yes I know none of this will amount to any faster times so I suppose I'm interested in hearing about differences in quality or other advantages that one part may have over the other that isn't readily apparent.

I'm going with an 18" barrel config for tac optics. The rifle I used last season (BCM w/ 16" elw and KMR) weighs in at ~7.5 pounds with my bobro mount and vortex strike eagle. I'd like the gun to be a little heavier, but I'm not trying to build a pig. In other words I'm not looking to build an ultra lightweight rifle, but I don't want unnecessary excess weight either.

I am hung up on three major parts: barrel, handguard and buttstock and I've got it narrowed down to 2 choices within those categories.

Barrels I'm looking at are the Nordic 18" and Faxon Firearms 18" heavy fluted:

Nordic 18", you guys know all about this one so nothing more needs to be said.

or

http://faxonfirearms.com/18-heavy-fluted-5-56-nato-rifle-length-416-r-stainless-steel-qpq-black-nitride/

The Faxon is a few ounces lighter and has a gas port sized sized properly for a low mass bcg + fixed gas block (the port is spec'd slightly smaller than Nordic's). I'm not sure what to think about the QPQ treatment on a match barrel, but I've seen plenty of good reviews on their barrels, just not necessarily from 3 gunners who might demand more accuracy than average range shooters. Also has a 5.56 chamber as opposed to Nordic's 223 wylde, the wylde should be more accurate in theory. Price is a wash.

I'll admit, I like accurate rifles and I'm leaning towards the Nordic due to it's proven accuracy track record but I could be swayed. The Faxon may (or may not) be less accurate but would no doubt be "accurate enough" for 3 gun (We do have some 400-600 yard shots at some of the local matches so every bit helps)

Handguards in contention are the SLR solo ultralight M-Lock 16.5" or an AP customs Gen II ultralight Carbon fiber 17"

SLR: http://slrrifleworks.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_106_137_71&product_id=440

AP: http://rhinoarms.com/product/gen-ii-ultra-light-series-tactical-carbon-fiber-handguard/

Those two weigh about the same, although I could go lighter with the AP if I dropped the top rail. I like the idea of being able to use offset sights or laser/light for night matches (which I've never been to) but I don't know if it is really necessary or a benefit. I imagine the carbon fiber would be less prone to getting hot which is a concern in TX, especially after a 30-40 round stage in the summer; not sure if the carbon fiber is grippy enough though. At this point the AP is where I'm leaning but the SLR gets good reviews, looks cool and has more options for mounting stuff.

The buttstocks I'm considering are the Luth-AR MBA-3 and the XLR Industries Tactical Buttstock

Luth-AR: http://www.luth-ar.com/product/mba-3-carbine-stock/

XLR: http://www.shoretactical.com/product_info.php/xlr-tactical-butt-stock-p-392

Really not sure which way to jump here. I had been planning on going with the XLR for quite some time until I recently saw the Luth and figured I should check it out. I doubt many here will have much experience with either of these but if you do, please speak up. The Luth-Ar is about 4.5 ounces lighter, but the XLR looks to be built like a brick shithouse which I also like. I would prefer whichever stock does not lose it's adjustment/loosen up with use. The reason I am looking at these two is that I prefer a shorter length of pull than what a rifle length stock can give me, and I need an adjustable comb for a scoped AR, I simply can't get a fast, repeatable cheek weld with a standard stock; when I press my cheek bone into the stock my eye is looking at the bottom of the scope.

Thanks for reading my book.

[JordanGriffith]

Look at the Ace Skeleton stock too

There's dozens of awesome free float keymod/m-lok type handguards, best advice is try some out and see what you like.

Everyone seems to love the Nordic barrel, that's what I'm going to go with I think! Good luck, the choices are a problem for many haha

[Garmil]

Ive had a Nordic barrel now have a faxon gunner 18" is definitely accurate enough plus a big weight savings.

Both handguards are nice. I'd go with the slr. I use a 15" Midwest lightweight keymod now I really like the no top rail for the majority of it.

I'm a fan of those style stocks I always thought the same thing standard ones put my cheek too low. Check out the royal arms tacar featherweight stock. Similar to the xlr or a tacmod and cheaper. Mine has not budged a bit I even use another one on my 12 gauge and its solid.

[Dan Sierpina]

Take a look at Black Hole Weaponry barrels. You can get an 18" rifle gas barrel in 3 light contours. Light, Slim and Pencil. Mine has no trouble with Rocky Mountain 3 Gun's long targets.

[NateTSU]

I have the 18" Nordic and love it, the barrel is extremely accurate. Huge plus if you might use your ar for anything else besides 3gun. Like said before there are tons of options for hand guards Nordic makes a nice one for less than 100 bucks.

[jhr1986]

Thanks for the thoughts guys, I've made my choices. Short version: Nordic 18" barrel, AP or Carbon Arms handguard, and XLR buttstock

I'm going with the Nordic barrel - I love accurate guns and I'd rather have better accuracy than needed rather than good enough. Faxon may fit that bill as well but there just aren't as many people out there saying their faxon 18" heavy fluted is sub-moa, and I realize that it most likely due to the number of faxon branded barrels in the 3 gun marketplace as opposed to the nordic. The faxon may be just as good but I'm going with the known quantity. Shout out to Nathan at Faxon though for making himself accessible and answering the questions I threw at him via another forum.

Sticking with the AP handguard (and maybe even the Carbon Arms). Texas heat is a concern when the gun is almost too hot to pick up *before* the stage starts due to baking in the sun, so CF it is. If I decide to run any matches that require lasers/lights etc then those matches won't require long range shooting and therefore would be best suited to running a shorter gun anyway. So if that becomes an issue, I'll build a gun suited to those purposes.

Decided on the XLR buttstock. For one, I'm not fully convinced just by looking at it that the Luth-AR is stout enough for me (maybe it is, I'm not here to bash the product, just my admittedly uneducated opinion). Also the heavier buttstock should help out balance out the heavier barrel.