D9Firearms

Shown above is a D9Firearms custom built PD-SASS w/Hawk Horus Vision Optic.

Although summer time is generally a slower time of the year for gun sales, we manage to stay busy working on special projects, loading ammunition, and customizing rifles. Currently we are still waiting on rifles from DPMS and based on their estimates we should start seeing some rifles in September. (We have 45 various LR rifles on order). Additionally, our special project using the Mike Rock barrel being finished by White Oak Armament will be in at the end of August. (We have placed an order for 5 Krieger barrels with a slightly different design and expect to see those by October.)

We had a fellow stop by our table at the Topeka Gun Show two weeks ago and he had a DPMS LR-308AP4 that needed a little D9Firearms customizing. Steve brought the rifle over last weekend and we upgraded his AP4 with a quad rail, Miculek Compensator, Hogue grip, Rock River 2 Stage National Match trigger, and bipod kit. He left with a completely different looking rifle from what he walked in with.

We also received a call from a customer of ours who had purchased one of our D9Firearms PD-SASS (Prairie Dog – Semi Auto Sniper System) LR-308B rifle and his dad wanted a DPMS LR-308SASS. The most amazing part of this story is DPMS actually had one available and we didn’t waste a second commandeering it, (Thanks DPMS). Although DPMS does excellent work and puts out great products, D9Firearms still tweaked it.

The LR-308SASS, shown above, comes standard with a JP trigger, but to us that’s only half of the picture. My assumption is they don’t add the speed hammer since this is classified as a sniper weapon. The speed hammer is ½ the weight of a standard hammer and has a light spring. We’ve not experienced a problem with misfires but if we were providing this to a law enforcement agency using military ammo, we would stay with the heavier springs. So we added the speed hammer. Additionally, I added a Miculek compensator and tactical carrier release to round out this precision rifle.

The last rifle is one of our D9Firearms custom PD-SASS rifles that Brian, a local client purchased, brought back to have us install a Horus Vision Hawk optic on. His initial impression, looking out at about 400yd, through the patio door, was the clarity of the glass and he prefers the first focal plane reticule. We look for a response from him when he takes it back out and see how it compares with ours & Paul’s from (NZ) reviews.

We received a phone call from Brain, as he was leaving the range the other day, and based on the excitement in his voice my guess is his testosterone levels were hyper-elevated. (Phone calls like this are what make building these worth the effort.) Brian provided us with a field report on the PD-SASS, Horus Vision, and D9Firearms custom 308 ammo.

Darrel-

I wanted to thank you for building me such a high performance rifle. It shoots better than I could have imagined. I have had and fired many different AR platform weapons in the past, but this is a step above.

(DPMS also receives part of the credit.)

We added the over sized Miculek for the in your face attitude.

Before I bought the Horus scope from you, I used the iron flip-up sights to break in the barrel at 50 yards and shot very tight groups. Yesterday I sighted in the Horus Hawk scope with ease at 100 yards. I went with five other friends and they all fired three shot groups. Four of them were experienced shooters and one was a novice. All of the experienced shooters could cover their groups with a quarter or less and the novice shot a 1 1/2″ grouping.

The .308 reloads that I bought from you were an excellent fit for this rifle. They out performed even the Federal Match Gold Medal. I would not have believed it if I did not see it and test it for myself. (We would like to say this was not a surprise but were very pleased to hear this.)

The Horus Hawk you sold me I was weary of, since I am such a big IOR fan and the Horus was half the price. But, the more I used it, the more I fell in love with it and its reticule. The clarity is incredible and the built in range finder is very easy to use. The fact that I do not need to adjust my turret knobs for different windage and elevation settings is so foreign to me, but I am quickly becoming fluent in its language. You get what you pay for does not apply here. For the price, there is nothing better.

The biggest compliments I got on the rifle, aside from its consistent accuracy, is how smooth the trigger is and the function of the overall weapon. (We installed a JP adjustable w/speed hammer.)

Thanks again for all your help with building my dream rifle and guiding me towards the right accessories for it.

Brian

So if you are looking for a precision AR or customizing your existing AR please give us a call at D9Firearms.

Thanks.

D9Firearms has over the past 2 years developed a few international clients that we have provided non-firearms shooting and hunting products for. Thanks to our new friend Paul in New Zealand, we are now exporting firearms as well. Paul put us in touch with European Target Shooters Supplies (http://etssincusa.com/) in Colorado who now handle our firearms exports. For non-firearms related we ship directly. We have just recently expanded the countries we are servicing clients in, to include Mexico and as of this blog we received a request from Slovakia.

Our current list of countries our international clients reside in are:

- Norway

- Denmark

- New Zealand

- Argentina

- Mexico

- Slovakia (once the permit goes through)

For our international clients there are some limitations on how we conduct business, but in general it’s as easy as doing business as it is domestically. When it comes to handling commerce we have two options; bank wire transfer or credit card. Our preferred method is credit card and we have a 3% charge for the transaction. Additionally, certain countries are high risk and we may request a bank wire transfer from individuals in those countries or refuse the sale. (We’ve done this already to a couple of nefarious wankers in Indonesia.)

Another issue is the requirements on the clients end. From our experience the client generally has to get some form of permit to import the firearm. Combined with this permit are the regulations on the firearms features such as calibers, barrel threading, magazine capacity, and others. We assume the buyer is aware of this prior to ordering and we do not research or verify what’s legal to import. The permit is then submitted to the exporter (ETSS) and we do not require it. Please verify firearms restrictions before ordering as this may result in a charge for products you are unable to import. Additionally, returns on exported items are equally as challenging so we will do everything we can to confirm you are getting what you want.

From our foreign clients perspective you can and should expect the same responsive and courteous treatment as any client that is local. You can and should expect the same guarantee that we offer our domestic clients on firearms we build (ie. D9 custom AR or LR rifles), is that we stand behind what we build. If a rifle we’ve built or customized fails to operate as a result of work we performed (triggers mainly) we will refund the local gunsmith fees that are within reason. Additionally we would expect to hear from you if there is an issue prior to taking it to a gunsmith and work out the details in advance. For factory firearms most manufacturers have local representation and would expect the client to proceed with warrantee work. (Contact us regardless we want to know if there are any issues.)

Finally our goal is to Arm the World with D9Firearms custom rifles. If you are interested in importing a firearm or hunting supplies please contact us here at D9Firearms.

Our good friend Paul from way down under in the land of sheep and kiwis just sent us some awesome pictures of him and his good friend Harry stretching out of a hilly range for some long range shooting.  A while back we outfitted Paul with a DPMS 24” Varmint upper and a custom DPMS lower built by us.

Paul also mounted a Horus Vision Hawk and provided some feedback on that as well.  We have used the Sheppard scope and it is very nice.  They cost about $200 more but based on Paul’s review it sounds like we better get one in and do some evaluation.

Recently we also sent him a second rifle a DPMS LR-260 and he just emailed us confirming that he picked up from customs over the weekend.  However, Paul now has a new problem, which is really not a problem, is that his wife now wants one.  If all goes well we hope to outfit Paul with a D9Firearms custom SASS version in 308Win.

I’ll let Paul tell the rest of the story:

Hi Darrel,

The .260 is in country, just need to clear Customs.

Had a day out at Harry’s 1000m range on Sunday, I’ve attached a few photos.

I had a chance to Crony some 77g SMK’s through the AR but only went as high as 22.5g of H335 (using 23g behind the 69’s) the 77’s made about 2650fps vs the 69’s 2800fps. at that speed there was no appreciable difference in group size. I will need to experiment further to see if I can gain any extra accuracy by speeding up the 77’s.

There is a photo of a 12″ circular steel plate, it’s out at 500yds. The 3 shot group has a spread of 80mm or about 3.25in this was shot from the AR using the 69g Match Kings. The Savage shot a similar size group

There is also a photo looking down the range, you should be able to see both the 500yd targets and in the distance a rectangular target up on the hill to the right of centre. That target is a 8ft x 4ft steel plate that’s 1″ thick! it’s out at 1000m

I ended up swapping the Shepherd V2 from the Savage onto the AR, to be honest I think the Shepherd has better clarity than the Hawk despite having a smaller (25mm) main tube. The range reticule is within an inch using the 69’s @ 2800fps out to 300yds, within 2″ out to 600yds and spot on at 700yds. At 2850fps it’s about 1/2″ out at 1000yds.

Looks like the Hawk reaches it’s limit at about 700yds with the .223, haven’t done the math for the .260 yet, it may be useful a little further out. At this stage though I will probably go with a Shepherd V1 on it.

All in all very pleased with the AR, it’s every bit as accurate as the Savage by the looks.

Regards

Paul

P.S. The other white targets in some of the photo’s cost about $100 bucks each to shoot!

If you live down under or back here at home and need a long range AR varmint rifle contact us here at D9Firearms and we will be glad to assist you with you custom built AR rifle.  (For you animal lovers ie. kooks don’t worry they weren’t shooting the sheep and if they did I’m sure they had a bbq after words.)

With the current delay in production of most AR-15’s and LR-308 rifles from DPMS, and the others we order from (Rock River & Bushmaster) we decided to develop premium .223 rifles. Generally we don’t stock or order many .223 rifles since they seem to be a dime a dozen (or found in trash cans at gun shows) unless they are requested by a client or are a premium variant such as the RRA varmint or DPMS varmint

What we have found is that most of our clients were replacing significant amounts of parts on rifles, so we decided to make a transition to primarily buying all new factory standard parts for non-substitutable parts (springs, pins, receivers, bolt & carrier) and building our premium .223 rifles from there. (We are able to reduce the cost and provide exactly what our clients want.) Additionally, we test fire each rifle prior to shipping and guarantee our work.

Wanting to do something a little different but still gear it towards varmint shooting yet flexible for potential urban action we looked too White Oak Armament for some options and chose the Squad Designated Variant Marksman barrel to start with. We have since ordered the 16” SDVM version.

The barrel is a 20” SST bull barrel, with the main body (.980) necked down to .750 fore end. The main body also has deep flutes that reduce the barrel by almost 1lb and increases cooling capacity. (The fore end is not fluted and gives a clean cut look (Marine) and would offer negligible cooling or weight reduction benefits.) The barrel is threaded for your choice of a flash hider, brake, or suppressor. The barrel has a 1:7 twist rate that is excellent for delivering heavier bullets (55grn & up).

Upon the initial inspection I immediately noticed the depth of the fluting, which on this barrel reduces close to 1lb of weight and effects cooling rate. The milling at the gas block is distinctly different with a rounded trim. We also added the M4 feed ramps which are patently obvious. The overall external barrel look and feel was a perfect match for our planned project.

For our rifle we added all the tactical parts (latch, trigger guard, mag release, bolt release, & safety) and Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) free float 4 rail & picatinny gas block. Not all the tac latches or 4 rail free float guards are necessary but we do recommend the tactical carrier release. On our next rifle we are going with a JP Rifle Vtac hand guard.

We installed the CAA 6 position stock, which is more robust then a standard collapsible, has a rubber butt pad, & risible cheek piece. For the money this is an excellent choice ($70). The Magpul PRS would be a good second choice especially for variminting.

We also went with the Timney drop in single stage because it was feeling more like a business rifle (for taking out insurgents, drug running federalalies, pedophiles, and other glittering jewels of humanity causing global warming by breathing) then a varmint rifle. Another feature we really like is the 1:7 twist, which will offer better ballistics for a heavier grain bullet 55+ (thus preventing the threat from getting to close). This will be our first 1:7 twist barrel but we are looking to getting better results for longer range shooting.

We have already started our next one, which will use the same barrel designation only in the 16”. The 16” will offer a better platform if you plan more free hand shooting.

If you are interested in a D9Firearms custom .223 with a White Oak SDVM barrel please contact us.

I felt it worth discussing since several people have asked the question of accuracy on the DPMS LR-308 rifles when comparing barrel weight (AP4, heavy, bull) and barrel length (16”, 18”, 24”).  To clarify, we define accuracy as bullet grouping.  For example, out of a 3 shot group at 100yd, if my shot placement has all three bullets under 1” center to center, this would be a sub-Minute of Angle (MOA) accuracy, which is very good.  Additionally, at 200yd this would be all 3 shots under 2” and so on.  We define drop compensation (holdover) as how many inches a bullet drops at a specified distance.  For example if you sight your rifle in at 100yd, at 200yd you may need to place the cross hairs at 2” above the desired point of impact.

Most people feel they are giving up accuracy when selecting a shorter and/or lighter weight barrel.  In general, ours and our clients’ experiences with these rifles, regardless of the barrel length or weight, will shoot sub-MOA.  In my opinion, the accuracy of the bullet delivery is primarily compromised by the shooter, ammo, and fire control system (trigger), unless you just happen to get a lemon rifle which we haven’t heard of.

However, the question still remains do you sacrifice accuracy when going from a 24” bull down to a 16” AP4?  The answer in my opinion is yes and no.  Inherently a 12lb bench rifle with a bull barrel seems like it would be more accurate because of its weight, barrel diameter, length and you would be shooting off of a fixed rest.  I personally find I am more accurate with this setup since the weight of the rifle is less affected by my movement and I’m shooting off of a rest.  However if you put both guns side by side in the same setup (trigger, rest, distance, etc.) they will shoot relatively with the same grouping accuracy.

So the issue is what do you sacrifice or gain with barrel length and/or weight if they both have relatively the same accuracy.  With a shorter barrel the bullet has less distance/time to build velocity, before the bullet exits the barrel and releases the gas pressure to atmosphere.  With a longer barrel the bullet will have more time to effectively use the gas pressure to build more velocity before venting.

(The higher the velocity, the flatter shooting trajectory it will have, but not necessarily more accurate.  Meaning that a 16” barrel sighted in at 100yd may drop 2” at 200yd where as a 24” may only drop 1”.  This doesn’t mean the 24” is more accurate just flatter shooting for longer ranges and inherently will deliver more energy on target.)

So when choosing a rifle you must determine what type of shooting you want to do?  If you are thinking brush gun for deer hunting and some field shooting that you will be carrying, the LR-308AP4, T, or L would be an excellent choice.  (This doesn’t mean these guns will not perform out to 500yd.)  The LR-308B would be a close second with an 18” bull barrel.  If you’re thinking target/varmint then the LR-308, B, C would be good choices.

We generally recommend the LR rifles for the following conditions:

Deer or Bear Hunting, Tactical or 3 Gun Shooting: (DPMS LR-308AP4, T)

-Typical range 0 – 300yd.

-Free hand, minimum non-supported shooting.

-Brush, open field, collapsible stock easier for carrying & lighter weight, faster target acquisition & maneuverability, or when fleeing from a really angry bear.

-AP4 is optimal for suppressing an urban insurgency.

Deer Hunting or Mid range tactical/sniper or target shooting:  (DPMS LR-308B, C or D9 Custom Rifle):

-Typical range:  0 – 500yd.

-Limited freehand, supported shooting platform.

-Light brush, open field, bench.  With a collapsible adds to more maneuverability in brush and general carrying.  Recommend a bipod (but adds front end weight when freehand shooting.)

-LR-308B or D9 Custom is a good bridge between tactical and bench shooting.  This is an excellent choice for suppressing urban, rural or any other type of insurgency.

Bench Shooting:  (DPMS LR-308 24”)

-Typical range:  200 – 800yd.

-Completely supported shooting platform.

-Open range.

-Excellent for not letting the insurgents get close.

Hopefully the provides you with additional information to make the best choice possible for your shooting needs when choosing a DPMS LR or D9 Custom LR firearm.  Please contact us and we would be glad to provide you with a long range AR platform rifle.  (If we don’t have it, we probably have it on order, or will build to your needs.)

We are always looking for ways to better serve our clients and offer up more options when it comes to procuring firearms.  Over the past two years we have predominantly used Jerry’s Sports Center and RSR Group, both of which have served and continue to serve us well.  Recently a new client of ours requested a firearm that Davidson’s had on special and asked us to procure it for him.

Although the other two wholesalers had them available Davidson’s had a slightly better price and had a better shipping rate.  We decided to send in our information and setup an account.  Teresita, our sales “babe”, contacted us immediately.  She was very enthusiastic about telling us about the different programs they offered.

Several things impressed me about her enthusiasm, she didn’t care that we were not a mega gun store.  She asked about our business and then discussed how Davidson’s could contribute to our growth as if we were going to be the next full line mega store.

Several benefits that we found that will add service and economic benefits to our customers are:

1.               When shipping a handgun from a wholesaler overnight shipping is required and cost anywhere from $25 - $40 for one handgun.  Davidson’s offers flat rate shipping for one or multiple handguns and the option to add long guns or other items, therefore cutting time and shipping expenses significantly.

2.               Any firearm purchased through Davidson’s is guaranteed that if it fails they will ship a new one overnight, (if it’s in stock), and you return the defective one to them.

3.               You can order a firearm directly from Davidson’s website and have it sent to D9Firearms.com.  You pay a down payment to them and the balance to D9 when it arrives.

4.               Davidson’s also advertises for D9Firearms by listing us as a dealer and has a link to our website.

Another issued that impressed me about Davidson’s & Teresita was that when she was explaining Davidson’s she stated they are not always the lowest price and she asked if we dealt with other wholesalers.  We answered that we did and she said that’s good because that would benefit D9Firearms by being able to have multiple sources.  My impression is she is as interested in selling us guns as she is seeing our business grow.

We kicked off our account with her with the 10 gun purchase, which also helps out getting better pricing for the next year.

If you’re interested in a firearm that Davidson’s carries please contact us or log into Davidson’s at http://www.galleryofguns.com/ and we would be glad to get it on order for you.

D9Firearms will be setting up a table along with our good friend the “GunLawyer” at the Topeka Gun show at the Topeka Expo Center on July 19^th & 20^th.  We will be bringing a smattering of items we have available.  If you’re interested in any of the items listed below let us know before then.

-Tikka T3 Varmint 308 (Total Tack Driver)

-Remington VTR 22-250

-Ruger Charger 22LR Pistol

-Hungarian AK-47

-Benelli Nova 12ga

-Kahr PW-9 9mm

-Savage 17HMR

-DPMS LR-308AP4 w/& w/o 4 rail

-DPMS AR-15AP4 w/chrome barrel, 4 rail, compensator

-DPMS LR-308 24” SST w/Miculek

-DPMS LR-260 24”SST

-CMMG .223 stripped lowers (parts available)

-Sightron 4-16 optics

-Taurus 24/7Pro Compact 9mm

-Ruger MKIII 22LR (Contact us for a Gemtech suppressor)

If you can’t make it and are interested in any of the items we have or need something else please contact us here at D9Firearms.

Thanks and hope to see you all out there.

Shown above is not Dennis’s rifle but similar.  This is an DPMS AP4 w/Miculek and Koelbel gas block.  The only difference is the barrel contour.  The “T” has a straight heavy barrel. 

Several weeks ago I received a call from Dennis a big time deer hunter over in North Carolina looking for a DPMS LR rifle for deer hunting. He stated he had limited experience with AR style, but had an idea of what he was looking for.

Dennis described the problem they are having out in NC with an over burgeoning deer population. He stated it wasn’t uncommon to see 50 head of deer come out into a field at one time. Additionally, he indicated he takes about 20 a year and the state is basically saying take as many as you can.

So after getting the run down, Dennis was thinking about a LR-308L w/18” heavy barrel, which would be an excellent choice, if we could get one. One of his concerns was weight of the rifle compared to his 243 bolt gun he’s currently using, weighing in around 6 – 7lbs. I offered up the option of the LR-308T & LR-308AP4, which we have outfitted deer hunters with before, but have the 16” barrel.

Dennis wasn’t quiet buying it and had concerns of accuracy, recoil, and weight. Since he was primarily shooting in the 0 – 250yd range (brush & open field) and free hand shots were common, I felt the 308T or AP4 would be an excellent choice and given the shorter barrel length would be excellent for the brush as well. Additionally, having a collapsible stock on the rifle made packing it a lot easier.

I addressed the recoil issue with a Miculek compensator. Naturally this adds decibels to the shooter especially in a confined area but in the open is less noticeable and the recoil reduction in my view is worth it.

Dennis still had reservations with the accuracy statements I had made about this rifle being able to deliver sub-MOA. It’s a struggle to believe a semi-auto gun will deliver sub-MOA accuracy but I offered him several examples of feedback from clients that supported my claims. Additionally, I mentioned that a trigger job would definitely enhance his accuracy as well.

Well Dennis decided to go with the LR-308T and we got it set up and shipped out to him. I asked him to let me know how it goes after he gets it out. Dennis forwarded an email to me and also called me as soon as he had left the range after test firing the gun.

(I paraphrased some of Dennis’s comments for consolidation purposes.)

Darrel-

I just got back from the range, man I could not believe how well that DPMS LR-308T shot. I was using Federal 150 grn soft point bullets (the cheap ones) shooting at a target 105yds out, 2 bullets touching, the 3^rd was only 3/8” away. I also tried Winchester 150grn and Remington 150grn soft points and neither one would group. I also tried Winchester Supreme 168grn soft point and it held under an 1” at 105yd in about 10mph and light rain.

“The money quote” Best trigger pull on any rifle I have ever shot. My gun out shot a Remington 700 308 w/bull barrel, man that dude was pissed when my semi-auto shot better then his bolt. I gave him your website so you may expect a call. (That or a nasty letter.)

Everybody was impressed with my gun and I let everybody shoot and we learned quick not to stand to close to it from the percussion from the compensator was right tight. I can’t wait to try your hunting load in it and as you said in one of your emails that this gun would be a deer processing machine.

The gun cycled flawlessly and the recoil was nothing and the muzzle jump was barely noticeable. Our gun club kills over 200 deer a year and now I have a gun that should increase that number. I can’t wait to try it on a heard of deer as they come out of the swamp and hit the corn fields with 20 hounds on their butts that DPMS will be smoking.

If you have any questions about a DPMS LR-308T or AP4 deer slaying machine contact us here at D9Firearms. If you have any questions about culling deer in NC, we will forward your name on to Dennis. If you are some kind of limp wristed, sissified, tofu eating, tree hugging nut bag, I’ll have Dennis’s 20 hounds contact you.

Several months ago we received an email from a private contractor serving in Afghanistan looking to procure a LR-308 AP4 upon his arrival back home, which we gladly obliged and procured. (We wished that we could have shipped it to him.) Well by accident I copied him in on an email over the weekend intended for another client, which in turn spurned a few emails back and forth between us.

I always admire the guys who do this kind of work and sometimes wish I hadn’t gotten out of the corps. However, during our emails back and forth (he asked that I not reveal his name, so we will refer to him as the Medic), he made several statements which I felt deserved to be published and asked him for his permission. The Medic also emailed a few pictures, which we blocked out the faces. (This way he wouldn’t have to brandish the AP4 on some anti-war communist hate America types looking to harass him. By the looks I don’t think he would need the AP4 for this, but it’s always nice to have one in the event one of these dickheads decides to launch a RPG at him.)

At the end of each email the Medic has provided all of his recipients an excerpt from the 91^st Psalms:

“Thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, for he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways”

Not knowing the Medic other then through emails I can sense this is not just a one liner that he adds but knows and believes this to be true.

I also asked the Medic how things were going and he provided me with this response:

“Things are good over here, 53 days left and I’m done. I wished for about a month in February I had that 308 over here, I could have done some more damage.”

He was referring to the Helmand province and by all accounts I’m sure he was hanging out with some Marines. I am a firm believer in the 308 round and am convinced it would add a new dimension to our troops and contractors to provide overwhelming firepower and ultimately a faster and more decisive victory.

We appreciate the Medic and all people of his caliber. Thanks for doing what 99% of the people wouldn’t or couldn’t do.

D9Firearms.

Shown above: D9Firearms customized DPMS Sweet 16 w/16″ SST fluted, threaded bull barrel and Levang Compensator, CMMG Micro gas block, YHM free float 4 rail, Hogue grip, Timney trigger, CAA 6 pos stock, IOR Valdada 2-12×35 w/MP-8 illuminated reticule.

Several months ago we started working on a personal rifle project which was based on the DPMS Sweet 16. Not being satisfied with anything factory standard and wanting to build it myself; I placed an order for the parts. Since I like the looks of fluting and like putting a compensator on everything I ordered a 16” SST bull barrel threaded & fluted.

To go with it I ordered a chrome bolt and carrier, A3 flat top upper receiver and full length YHM free float 4 rail. About the time the parts arrived I received an email from a deputy sheriff in New Mexico who needed a duty rifle (which he is also allowed to use for personal use).

After speaking with him (we don’t want to use his real name or location otherwise armed rapist, murders, crack heads, drug runners & other vermin may choose commit their crimes where officers are not sufficiently armed with a D9Firearms customized Sweet 16) he described the rifle we were building for ourselves.

While speaking with him I asked him about the trigger options. Generally, duty rifles are specified to have all factory standard parts and since we install a lot of JP triggers, which require milling, we didn’t feel comfortable with using this trigger. He stated that they currently didn’t have any guidelines governing what they could carry for duty rifle. However, our concern was that if he did have to use this in the line of duty, and it was then determined the trigger was modified beyond that of the factory (even though the factory instructions specifically state that milling is required) it could comprise him.
Since we had just ordered some Timney drop in single stage triggers we recommended going with those, since they are a factory trigger and don’t require any additional milling. Once we started building the rifle there were a few more changes/additions that we went with, which were changing to a mid length 4 rail, mag trigger guard, and anti-walk pins. (We went with the pins because the trigger has two set screws that must be extended down to the base of the receiver to hold it in place, otherwise the trigger and hammer pins could fall out. I added loctite to prevent them for working out but since this is a duty rifle I didn’t want to take any changes.)

Notice the anti-walk pins with the “C” clamp, mag trigger guard, and Timney trigger. (The trigger is extremely crisp.)

Another feature we went with was the CAA 6 position collapsible stock since it is more robust then the standard 6 pos that comes with an AR. We also used the CMMG micro gas block to fit under the hand rail. And to top off our barrel we went with a Levang compensator. To complete the rifle the deputy chose none other than our favorite IOR Valdada 2-12×35 with illuminated MP-8 dot reticule.

Since this rifle was built from the ground up and was being used as a duty rifle, (I was also a little envious to say the least) we performed a 5 shot range test. We took two shoots to dial the scope in before moving to a second target to determine grouping. (This didn’t go as planned because I was shooting in about 25mph winds, but the test was still successful.) As it goes the first shot I was rocked by what felt a tornadic wind (must have been global warming), and tossed me about 4 inches off when I pulled the trigger. However, I caught a slight lull in the wind and within 10 – 15 seconds squeezed two off for a .574” center to center group.

Looking through the IOR Valdada w/MP-8 reticule

The most impressive thing was the recoil. This was the first time I’ve used the Levang and I can say it was like shooting a 10/22. There was absolutely no recoil and no muzzle lift, hence an immediate follow up shot with a .574” grouping. Also, it didn’t have the typical loud blast like a Miculek compensator has because this comp is ported forward. It is a perfect fit for the bull barrel as well.

Notice the porting on the compensator. All the porting is on the face and not the sides. Excellent recoil reduction without the extra noise.

If you are interested in a DPMS Sweet 16 customized by D9Firearms please contact us. We currently have 4 more on order.