AR-15 Carbine Build with Enhancements

The M16A2 and M4 are good battle rifles with their counterparts in the civilian world--the AR-15. With the availability and interchangeability of black rifle parts, it's too easy to assemble the AR-15 with upgrades to the modern battle rifle fit for non-military applications. I'm glad I got my hands on all the parts for my M4 variant build before the recent end-of-year madness that has now made purchasing those same parts more difficult than ever.

Basic M4 carbine

This project has ties back to the M4 carbine, here, which is characterized by the collapsible stock, shorter 16" barrel with carbine-length gas system, and flat top upper receiver.  The upgrades on my carbine project started with the barrel.

The barrel is a Daniel Defense carbine barrel with a mid-length gas system. The longer gas system allows for a gentler gas system and reduced cyclic rate which both help to extend the life of the upper components over time. A SureFire muzzle brake tames the recoil and barrel movement and allows for faster follow up shots on target. Magpul MOE handguards cover up the rest of the barrel. The barrel ties into a YHM upper receiver with a no frills DPMS BCG and BCM Gunfghter charging handle. An ACOG 4x32 optic brings the targets closer. The back-up iron sights are Troy in the rear and a Trijicon front sight post.

Completed carbine project

  

The lower receiver is a Spike's Tactical with Magpul CTR buttstock. I prefer the CTR over the MOE because you can lock the CTR in place on the stock once you have it adjusted for the shooting position. Inside the buffer tube is a Spike's H2 buffer with tungsten rather than weights inside. A JP Enterprises centerless, ground buffer spring keeps the noise down in the tube. The pistol grip is a Larue oversized one that has a decent palm swell and feel. The trigger is nothing fancy but a milspec one. 

This project was quite easy to put together. The final version shoots well, is light weight, and eats up my green tip ammo pretty quickly as to be expected. The SureFire muzzle brake is a nice enhancement over the A2 style bird cage. It does, however, create more lateral noise.