Quote from: ducpainter on January 26, 2010, 05:41:24 AM
Let's not go there guys....please.

I don't believe we were going anywhere.

I think we were just talking legality of barrel length.

I think that warning was for my post. Sorry. Edited.

Quote from: ducpainter on January 26, 2010, 05:41:24 AM
Let's not go there guys....please.

my bad, missed what Markus posted.

@Cyrus Buelton:

I didn't realize it was already just 18ish. It appeared to be closer to 20 or 21".

18" is the limit. Most barrels are 18.5" from the manufacturers. I "believe" this is because of the inspection method used by the ATF and friends, which involves dropping an 18" dowel down the barrel with the bolt forward. The extra 0.5" is resolved in my mind as insurance that in case the dowel stops on an extractor, you are still going to be within the limit.

In other news, I have had a sweet home-built AR-Lower for awhile now, waiting on funds and decisions about an upper (piston). It was "advanced legos" to any who have not decided they want to attempt this. Really not hard at all. Can get expensive though, depending on the parts. Parts:

Sun Devil MFG Lower
Alexander Arms Trigger Kit
KNS Anti-Rotational Pins
KNS Takedown Pins
DPMS or RRA little bitty parts (roll pins, etc)
Winter style trigger guard
Wilson Bolt Release
Oversized Mag Release
Magpul Grip, VLTOR stock

Quote from: ato memphis on January 26, 2010, 06:42:00 AM
@Cyrus Buelton:

I didn't realize it was already just 18ish. It appeared to be closer to 20 or 21".

18" is the limit. Most barrels are 18.5" from the manufacturers. I "believe" this is because of the inspection method used by the ATF and friends, which involves dropping an 18" dowel down the barrel with the bolt forward. The extra 0.5" is resolved in my mind as insurance that in case the dowel stops on an extractor, you are still going to be within the limit.

I am not quite sure where to measure exactly from, but it appears to be 18.5" - 19" based on my best guess of where the "barrel" actually ends within the bolt.

I suspect if it was measured with the bolt closed and a dowel was dropped in, it would be 18.5"

Nobody will know if your barrel is shorter than "legal" length. You can buy short uppers all day long. It is just a gun part, It has no serial # on it.

ATO, Id say you're on your way

Thanks!

I've got plenty of time to investigate (and hopefully see prices fall slightly) the various manufacturers of piston driven uppers. I like the relative "cleanliness" of the AK and its basic idea, so that's my reason for going that way with the AR.

Quote from: kopfjäger on January 26, 2010, 07:14:35 AM
Nobody will know if your barrel is shorter than "legal" length. You can buy short uppers all day long. It is just a gun part, It has no serial # on it.

I like to keep my firearms in accordance with federal laws.

Quote from: ato memphis on January 26, 2010, 07:23:34 AM
Thanks!

I've got plenty of time to investigate (and hopefully see prices fall slightly) the various manufacturers of piston driven uppers. I like the relative "cleanliness" of the AK and its basic idea, so that's my reason for going that way with the AR.

A friend of my just bought a LTM (Lewis Tool and Machine) M4 that is piston driven.

This is the same firearm Delta Carries, however, minus select fire and probably some other shit.

Another mention of federal law/gun law and it's locked.

Get it?   

i circumcised my post to remove offending languages.

Quote from: ato memphis on January 26, 2010, 07:02:16 AM
In other news, I have had a sweet home-built AR-Lower for awhile now, waiting on funds and decisions about an upper (piston). It was "advanced legos" to any who have not decided they want to attempt this. Really not hard at all. Can get expensive though, depending on the parts. Parts:

Sun Devil MFG Lower
Alexander Arms Trigger Kit
KNS Anti-Rotational Pins
KNS Takedown Pins
DPMS or RRA little bitty parts (roll pins, etc)
Winter style trigger guard
Wilson Bolt Release
Oversized Mag Release
Magpul Grip, VLTOR stock

piston uppers are a complete waste of time and money, are less accurate and heavier. I ran thousands of rounds through my direct impingement M-16 without issue. People who know me know that I'm not a stickler for surgical cleanliness, but my guns all work.

How are they less accurate? You lost me there. The AR piston system isn't really rigid like the AK. Clearly the most accurate would be no gas system at all so that the barrel was completely untouched.

Heavier, sure (but marginally). Unnecessary compared to direct gas impingement? Sure. But I adorned the lower with all sorts of crap you don't "need".

The only gun I really bother keeping immaculate clean is the 1911. It had to go back to Kimber and was finicky at first.  Since I had to "work" to get it perfect, I like to 'hold up my end of the bargain' (I should clarify, however, it is no safe queen. Its actually never been in the safe).

On the topic of guns. And safes...

Anybody recommend a good, reasonable dehumidifier system? Are the plug in wand things really worthwhile? I'm not having any issues, but I'd like to 'insure' my 'collection'.