I have quite literally watched this platform grow from a few options for optics to a smorgasbord of everything you can possibly imagine. I went from the AK-47 (cheap and obtainable for an 18 year old working at McDonald's) through several different makes of the AR-15 platform to European weapons like my Styer Aug A3.Įven though my AUG is amazing, I will always prefer the AR-15. I have been shooting for a very long time.I have gone through many differing rifle platforms in my life. By taking these simple steps, the AR can be tightened up from a loose fitting upper/lower two-piece rifle to a rock-solid one piece firearm with a free floated barrel with a light and crisp trigger. To tighten up the sloppy take-down pin connection, I install one of those little receiver wedges by Accu-wedge. After tightening the slotted nut to the pivot pin, simply turn the slotted head of the pin and 'cam-lock' the pivot pin tight - no rattle or slop. My older Colts have a two piece nut/bolt pivot pin connection to accommodate the two different diameter pivot pins holes of the older lower receivers and the newer uppers pivot pin diameters. True, there will be a 0.010' gap between the upper and lower, but it is rock solid and causes no problems with fit or function of the firearm. As you close the upper to the lower it will compress on the shim strip eliminating any rattle or slop. Simply - for the pivot pin slop, I cut shim material (0.010 inch metal) strip 1/8'x 1' and just lay it in tight to the forward pivot pin where it closes between the upper and lower receivers (avoid any overhang into the mag well as it could interfere with the magazine feed). Another (not sure if it was mentioned) is to 'fix' the upper receiver to the lower - meaning reduce (eliminate) the sloppy-rattle loose fit that you get between the upper and lower receiver with the pivot/take-down pins that come standard with the AR. Those two items do a lot to eliminate some of problems when shooting for accuracy. Some of the best and simplest upgrades I've done for accuracy are getting a free float handguard, and a drop in trigger.

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