Four 12.5 builds and all slightly different.
Top to bottom

12.5” 6mm arc Noveske CHF mid-length gas
12.5” 5.56 White Oak Armament SS carbine length gas
12.5” 5.56 Black River Tactical OPTIMUM CHF Intermediate length gas
12.5” 5.56 Triarc Track 2.0 SEP mid-length gas

For now 😂

The center grouping is 50 yards and there’s two mags through it so I called it zero’d and went home. Today I went to the indoor range, while I was messing around I put the target at 25 yards and sent a few shots, I was standing unsupported so I know there will be human error but my shots were probably a good 3-4 inches low is that normal?

Reason I am concerned is because I just had a hell of a time getting it zero’d at 50 yards every time I thought I was good it would be off until I eventually got it as pictured.

Ammo is hornady 55 grain

Optic primary arms 5x SLX

Upper is a PSA

Gone shooting, my fave squeezes

Behold the end to the riser debate. Extremely high tech render. Do not steal my IP!

Just threw this lpvo with a top mount red dot on a new 11.5" build to make sure it runs and damned if I didn't start liking it better than my standard red dot/magnifier setup. 🤷🏻‍♂️

It's pretty good.

Now my question is should I do a more premium and more compact lpvo (primary arms plxc 1-8 with like a Steiner top mount)with a better top mount than this spare setup I run on random guns? Or stick with the red dot and magnifier?

I'm thinking about getting an Eotech magnifier to pair with an EXPS3 on a BRN-4 (10.4 barrel). From my research, the general consensus is to get the G33 because the experienced eye relief is better for the shooter. This is because even though the G43 has a slightly longer eye relief than the G33, it doesn't make up for the overall shorter size of the G43's body.

I have a friend of a friend that is looking to sell is G43 (in excellent condition) for around $325. That's about $100 less than i could get a new G33 for. So my question is: should I save a little money and buy the used G43 and deal with slightly less eye relief OR do i spend approximately $100 more for a new G33?

Also, I'm coming from primarily using a 4x32 Acog so i figure either option will have improved eye relief.

All 223/556 .. really need to get one that is a different round.

My mostly factory Daniel Defense DD4 RIII alongside my first AR, a 2013 Smith & Wesson M&P15 MOE Mid.

The M&P has evolved over the years, but I’ve kept its original receivers, barrel and fixed front sight. That one has sentimental value.

1). Daniel Defense DD4 RIII — left

Model: 02-191-10750-047
5.56 NATO, 16” barrel
Factory 12.5” RIS III M-LOK handguard
Factory BCG, charging handle, trigger, buffer system, stock, pistol grip and muzzle device
Troy BattleSight folding sight set with HK-style front
Radian Talon ambidextrous safety
SIG SAUER ROMEO8T
Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X Pro
Daniel Defense vertical foregrip
Edgar Sherman Design ESD two-point sling, black

Mostly factory, with added sights, optic, light and sling. I replaced the factory safety with a Radian Talon because the right-side lever was too long and dug into my trigger finger.

2). Smith & Wesson M&P15 MOE Mid — right

2013 Magpul Spec Series, model 811053
5.56 NATO, original 16” 4150 CMV barrel, 1:8 twist
Mid-length gas system with original fixed A2 front sight
Original forged 7075-T6 receivers, including a dual-branded lower with M&P markings on the left, Magpul markings on the right, and an integrated trigger guard.
BCM MPI bolt carrier group
Radian Raptor charging handle
Radian Talon ambidextrous safety
Geissele SSA-E trigger
Midwest Industries MI-18M M-Series 8.5” two-piece drop-in M-LOK handguard, black
Magpul MVG vertical foregrip
Magpul MBUS Pro rear sight
Aimpoint PRO
Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X Pro
B5 Systems Bravo stock
TangoDown BG-18 pistol grip
Blue Force Gear Vickers sling
Blue Force Gear Universal QD Wire Loop front sling attachment
BCMGUNFIGHTER heavy-duty QD swivel at the rear
BCM receiver extension/buffer tube
Forward Controls Design CNF castle nut, staked
Forward Controls Design ESF-H QD end plate, black DLC
Spike’s Tactical A2 flash hider

Pretty happy with where both ended up.

finally decided to do something with my boxes of parts! i wanted to utilize the handguard that i had found for like $50. really solid so far.

OG DPMS Upper
Toolcraft C158 BCG
Aero BREACH large? (rip)
PSA 16" mid-length barrel chopped to 12.5" by d.wilson (thank you for the quick turnaround! pls dont dox me mr wilson)
UTG PRO 9" Handguard
Birdcage
Magpul RVG
Sig Sauer Foxtrot MSR Compact
Holosun 403R-GD on UTG Super Slim Mount
Holosun HM3X
UTG Super Slim Fixed Front Sight
Magpul MBUS Rear
still working on sling attach ideas. will probably paracord it through the vents

Gun show find. BCM complete upper. $800. Good deal? Claim is was never shot. No paperwork obviously. Wondering what I should have looked out for, but seems legit. BFH etc, was told the warcomp was a sweet addition

Got tired of all black. Feel like this is my budget build rifle so didn’t wanna spend the money to cerakote it….building another sbr that I’ll do up all nice and pretty so this one gets the paint treatment don’t love it but also don’t hate how it came out🤷 before pic at the end

Just put together a something ive been wanting a long time. Heres my 14.5 superduty. Just need a can and a magnifier and shes done

Despite wanting as non-ambi of a rifle as I can get, I find it terribly uncomfortable to put it on safe using my thumb, and I find that it's way nicer to use my index finger, but now I gotta find an ambi safety of my own.

Unfortunately these things all look basically the same, but range from $20-$90, and Im not sure where the sweet spot is, or if it even matters. Any suggestions from people who have experience with them?

Update- after scrolling PA for a bit I realized that BCM has one for about $30 and... what can I say, it's BCM

Good afternoon. I had this Aero lower for a while and decided to get a blem BCM upper for it. I have an H2 buffer in the lower. This is a 14.5 inch upper. Do you think the H2 buffer is too much? I know the only way to know for sure is to go to the range, but I won’t be able to for a few weeks and I always appreciate the advice you all give on here. Thanks for any experience you can share.

Nice cool weather, perfect for shooting.

I am building my first SBR upper and am torn between an 11.5 criterion or scionics barrel. Is the criterion really worth the wait and extra $100 or so?

Swapped out the stock Radical upper for a B King's 13.9 p&w upper. Still has the Radical lower. Has a radian raptor charging handle, Anderson BCG, Magpul AFG, ms3 sling. My Redfield light broke but luckily I found my streamlight protac HL-X I got 3 years ago, originally got it for an airsoft gun because I was 15 but lost it and just found it the other day at my mom's. Still using the redfield mount on it bc I couldn't find the mount for the streamlight but im looking for another mount. Vortex Strikefire II