Home Authors Posts by Dusty Gibson

Dusty Gibson

Review: Springfield XD Mod. 2.4-Inch Service Model

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model - 1The Springfield XD Mod. 2.4-Inch Service Model offers improved ergonomics in a mid-size pistol perfect for any shooter.

When we find an exception to a rule, the first thing we tend to do as humans is to exploit that exception for a personal benefit or a competitive advantage. Examples are all around us, from diet and exercise to schoolwork, politics and, of course, firearms. With one of its latest pistols, Springfield Armory has created an exception to the old cliché, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Springfield’s venerable XD Compact polymer pistol received a major facelift in 2015 after more than a decade of faithful service. But why change a reliable pistol that has earned widespread trust among thousands of different shooters? It’s simple: The folks at Springfield Armory knew they could successfully innovate the pistol while maintaining the dependable performance we’re used to.

The result is the new Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model, with updated ergonomics and styling that’s already proving why it’s an exception to the rule.

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service model - 2Get in the Zone
With its 4-inch barrel and a grip length that can accommodate large hands, the dimensions of this 27.5-ounce pistol meet a modest middle ground that will fit nearly any shooter. However, its size is only one factor that gives this 9mm striker-fired polymer pistol a wide range of capabilities.

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model - 3Anyone from casual weekend target shooters to the more experienced tactical shooters will enjoy handling its ergonomic grip, distinctly labeled with the “Grip Zone” billboard on each side of the grip, which will certainly be a turn off for some. On the bright side, you can’t see the grip while you’re shooting it.

Springfield Armory engineered this grip to provide three different textures (zones) in each area of the grip where friction occurs during firing. During testing, the grip was comfortable after 500 rounds. No callused hands or awkward pressure points to report. The grip felt like a brand new baseball glove that was already broken in and ready to play ball.

The Illinois-based manufacturer makes it easy to take the Springfield XD Mod. 2 4-inch right out of the box and put it to work. It comes equipped with features we’ve come to expect from more expensive pistols: a fiber optic front sight, an ambidextrous magazine release, an accessory rail and a loaded chamber indicator. Additionally, the sample used during testing came with a holster, double mag pouch, two 16-round magazines and a magazine loader, all of which were neatly nestled in custom-cut foam inside a hard-sided carrying case.

As tested, the 5.6-pound trigger pull had a reliable break and a crisp reset. The take-up was consistent but felt gritty at first. After 500 rounds through the gun, the gritty pull seemed to get smoother, and we expect it would continue to improve after additional range sessions and cleanings.

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model - 4Springfield is offering two versions of this pistol, one in all-black finish and the other in bi-tone. The pistol tested here was the all-black version with Melonite finish. The finish seemed to hold up well to scratches and scuffs, even in the field during photography work and range usage.

When it’s time to bust out rubber ducky and give the pistol a bath, takedown is familiar to that of all previous XD variants: Remove the magazine, lock the slide rearward, rotate the disassembly lever 90 degrees clockwise, release the slide, pull the trigger (unloaded) and remove the slide.

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model - 6Everyday Carry: The 5 “Cs” of CCW
Any time I evaluate a handgun for an everyday carry application I consider the following five factors — what I call the 5 “Cs” of Concealed Carry — to assess important areas of the handgun’s performance.

Concealability/Comfort: The Mod. 2 4-inch provides an ideal middle ground between full-size performance and subcompact concealment. During testing, this firearm was easily concealed inside the waistband with dress clothes.

Confidence: During a 500-round function test, the only problem I noticed was my hand sometimes would not fully engage the palm grip safety, which is common for me with these types of safety mechanisms. Aside from this issue, I would be confident trusting my life with this pistol.

Control: The Mod. 2 handles like a dream with its grip texturing. Combine ergonomics with a 6¼-inch sight radius, and you have the makings of an all-purpose duty gun.

Capacity: A generous magazine capacity of 16+1 provides plenty of firepower, specifically, one more round than a Glock 19. Also important to note: The Mod. 2 4-inch will accept all magazines from 4-inch or 5-inch first-generation XD9 pistols.

Caliber: 9x19mm ammunition is more than adequate for most purposes. Make sure to use quality 9mm self-defense ammunition for everyday carry purposes, and you’ll be set for virtually any two-legged threat.

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model - LaserLyteLyte ‘Em Up
The Springfield XD Mod. 2 4-inch in 9mm comes with an accessory rail for attaching lights, lasers, bayonets or whatever else you can think of adding. During testing, we tried LaserLyte’s new Lyte Ryder Universal Rail Mount laser sight. Installation was simple, as the laser sight came with all necessary mounting tools and hardware. We slid the sight on the rail and secured it in place with a single crossbar screw.

The laser features ambidextrous activation that’s easily engaged when the trigger finger is indexed down the frame of the pistol. With simple windage and elevation adjustments, we were able to get dialed in for precise POI/POA and found that the laser made target acquisition faster, especially in low light. The Lyte Ryder laser also closely matched the look and feel of the Springfield XD Mod. 2, giving it a custom appearance and an effective advantage.

Springfield XD Mod. 2 Service Model - 5Conclusion
Springfield Armory made its flagship XD9 more comfortable and easier to shoot for a wider range of shooters with the next generation Mod 2. Very slight variations from the original design result in enhanced performance, especially during high round counts. While the “Grip Zone” billboard will be a turn-off for some, the improved grip texturing and re-shaping was very well engineered.

The Springfield XD Mod. 2 4-inch in 9mm gets high marks all around, with the capability to perform a variety of functions right out of the box. It’s clear that Springfield improved its old XD9 workhorse with the Mod. 2, and we expect to see this lineup continue to expand into more sizes and caliber options. In terms of accuracy, the Mod. 2 performed well with a variety of different ammunition and posted average groups between 1.3 and 2.5 inches at 7 yards.

Whether you’re a casual weekend target shooter or carrying the pistol everyday, the XD9 Mod. 2 4-inch Service Model is a pistol that nearly anyone can pick up and shoot well. When you see one at your local gun store, give it a try and feel for yourself how Springfield Armory found an exception to that old rule, “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Specifications:

Springfield XD Mod. 2 4-inch Service Model
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4 in., hammer forged, 1:10 twist, Melonite finish
Overall Length: 7.3 in.
Height: 5.5 in.
Grip Width: 1.20 in.
Weight: 27.5 oz. (with empty magazine)
Frame: Black polymer
Slide: Forged steel, black Melonite finish
Trigger: 5.6 lbs.
Sights:Fiber optic front, low profile combat rear
Capacity: 16+1
Price: $565
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Concealed Carry 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Review: Hornady Black Ammunition for ARs

Hornady Black Ammo review - main

Hornady Black ammo is purposefully designed to feed and function properly in a variety of AR-style rifles, regardless of operating system or configuration.

Black rifles matter. In fact, the AR-15 is likely the most popular firearm in America today. According to research by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), “30 percent of all Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) owners purchased their first rifle in 2009 or 2010.” Those millions of new AR-15 owners are eager for more trigger time and need plenty of ammo to continue feeding their hungry rifles. Data from the NSSF also indicates that MSR owners consider accuracy and reliability to be the two most important things to consider when buying an AR-15.

With its slogan, “Accurate. Deadly. Dependable.” Hornady manufacturing has been loading quality ammo for rifle owners since 1949. Considering the bonanza of AR-15 sales over the past decade, Hornady’s new Black line of ammunition suited specifically for Modern Sporting Rifles is a welcomed offering for those of us who enjoy maximizing the performance from our AR-15s. Introduced in late 2016, the entire Hornady Black ammunition lineup currently includes 14 loads spanning multiple caliber options from .223 Rem. to .308 Win., and even delves into the more exotic cartridges such as the 6.5 Grendel and .450 Bushmaster.

According to Hornady’s Marketing Director, Neil Davies, “We wanted to make sure we had a line of ammunition that is versatile enough to be fired in gas impingement guns, gas piston guns … from a variety of different configurations and barrel lengths; suppressed, unsuppressed, sonic, subsonic. “

Davies went on to say, “We put them all together in a line of ammunition that’s easily identified by the consumer. So when they go to the store, it’s easy for them to find the product that will work in their firearm.”

Hornady Black review - 223 -1While some of the loads in the Black lineup are new, most of the Black ammo line includes existing loads that were scattered throughout other lines of Hornady ammunition that perform well through MSRs. For example, certain cartridges that were once labeled with Varmint Express, Custom or Match labels may be renamed under the Black lineup. In most instances where existing Hornady loads are re-branded under the Black name, the existing loads will be discontinued and replaced with the new Black label SKU.

So what does this matter to the consumer? Foremost, prices of most Hornady Black loads are less than the same loads under their original name. For example, the Hornady Custom .300 Blackout with 110-grain V-MAX bullet retails for $30.73 for a box of 20 rounds, while the same load under the Black line costs $28.33 for a box of 20. This is an all-around win for the consumer who gets the same great Hornady ammo more readily available and for a better price.

We chose a few popular loads from the Hornady Black lineup spanning .223 Rem., .300 Blackout and .308 Win. to see how they performed through ARs.

Hornady Black Review - 223 - 2Hornady Black .223 Rem. 75-gr BTHP Match
Featuring a boat-tail hollowpoint bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .395, this load is designed with extreme accuracy in mind. Whether you’re poking paper at 100 yards or challenging the maximum effective range of your AR-15, the 75-grain bullet really goes where you want it to go. During testing through a 20-inch White Oak Armament upper, I was able to fire a new lifetime personal best group of .331-inch at 100 yards with this load. That kind of accuracy really speaks for itself, especially because I am not a professional match shooter.

Quite simply, any shooter who wants to establish a measurable benchmark for their rifle’s abilities should run their accuracy tests with Hornady Black .223 Rem. 75-grain BTHP Match.

Hornady Black Review 223 - 3Hornady Black .223 Rem. 75-grain BTHP
Avg. Group: .727 in.
Best Group: .331 in.
Avg. Velocity: 2,642
Std Dev: 8 fps
Extreme spread: 18 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,162 ft.-lbs.
Cartridge Overall Length: 2.24 in.
Powder weight: 24 grains
MSRP: $20/box of 20

PROS:    Extremely accurate.
CONS:    Take care when loading into standard AR-15 magazines, as the overall length of this cartridge is almost too long to fit into a magazine.

Hornady Black Review - 300BLK - 1Hornady Black .300 Blackout 110-grain V-MAX
Possibly one of the most versatile loads in the AR world, this cartridge boasts the all-purpose power to take on just about anything you want to accomplish. From target shooting to big game hunting and home defense, this supersonic .300 Blackout load is worth a serious look for anyone who needs a do-it-all cartridge.

During testing, the Hornady Black 110-grain Blackout loaded with a V-MAX bullet performed reliably through an AR pistol with a 10.5-inch Brownells barrel. Even when fired through a short barrel, this is a hot load that was able to produce almost 1,200 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. Although the tested accuracy averaged consistently sub-two-inch groups at 100 yards, I believe this ammo easily has the potential to shoot less than one-inch groups at 100 yards if the shooter uses an optic with greater magnification than the Leupold VX-6 used during testing. Nevertheless, this load really puts the Black in the Hornady Blackout lineup.

Hornady Black Review - 300 BLK - 2Hornady Black .300 Blackout 110-grain V-MAX
Avg. Group: 1.63 in.
Best Group: 1.32 in.
Avg. Velocity: 2,212
Std Dev: 13 fps
Extreme spread: 30 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,195 ft.-lbs.
Cartridge Overall Length: 2.10 in.
Powder weight: 18 grains
MSRP: $28.33/box of 20

PROS:     All-purpose tool for any application.
CONS:    You’ll want an adjustable gas block when fired through an SBR or AR pistol to tame some of the recoil.

Hornady Black review - 308 - 1Hornady Black .308 Win. 168-grain A-MAX
Hornady’s legendary A-MAX bullet gives the Black line of ammo a reliable big game hunting partner with the 168-grain .308 Winchester offering. The AR-10 certainly has a place in hunting camp when Hornady Black is involved, featuring an expanding bullet that has proven its abilities on game animals around the globe.

As tested through a 16-inch Del-Ton AR-10, the A-MAX bullet left the muzzle at almost 2,200 feet-per-second and punched sub-two-inch groups at 100 yards. Oftentimes, ammo reliability can be an issue with AR-10s that are finicky about ammo selection, but this was not the case considering no malfunctions occurred during testing of this load. Anyone who hunts with the AR-10 should be able to bring home the bacon with this load.

Hornady Black Review - 308 - 2Hornady Black .308 Win. 168-grain A-MAX
Avg. Group: 2.21 in.
Best Group: 1.87 in.
Avg. Velocity: 2,148 fps
Std Dev: 20 fps
Extreme spread: 35 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,721 ft.-lbs.
Cartridge Overall Length: 2.80 in.
Powder weight: 43 grains
MSRP: $35/box of 20

PROS:     Accurate, great for hunting,
CONS:    Due to price, not a good option for plinking/target shooting.

Hornady Black Review - lineConclusion
While it is certainly pricier than your standard surplus range ammo, the level of quality craftsmanship in this ammunition lets the AR-15 push its stereotypical limitations. During testing, Hornady Black ammo achieved impressive performance that cannot be overlooked by anyone who owns an AR-15. Strategically targeted for AR-platform rifles, Hornady Black ammo certainly lives up to the two most important expectations defined by AR-15 owners to the NSSF: accuracy and reliability. Owners of America’s favorite rifle wanted a favorite flavor of ammo, and Hornady satisfied that craving with its new Black lineup of ammunition.

Parting shots
While some of the loads in the lineup are cleverly disguised as “new,” Hornady Black ammo is a welcomed product that is already proving beneficial to consumers who want to pay less for the same high quality ammo.

Hornady Black Ammo Lineup:

5.45×39 60-gr V-MAX
.223 Rem. 62-gr FMJ
.223 Rem. 75-gr BTHP Match
5.56 NATO 62-gr FMJ
5.56 NATO 75-gr Interlock HD SBR
6.5 Grendel 123-gr ELD Match
6.8mm SPC 110-gr V-MAX
.300 Blackout 110-gr V-MAX
.300 Blackout 208-gr A-MAX
.308 Win 155-gr A-MAX
.308 Win 168-gr A-MAX
7.62x39mm 123-gr SST
.450 Bushmaster 250-gr FTX
12 Gauge 00 Buckshot

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the February 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Wrecking Ball: CMMG MkW-15 ANVIL Review

CMMG MkW-15 ANVIL -fFormer U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Big Stick Diplomacy” has sculpted much of America’s political and cultural ideologies over the years. The expression, “Speak softly and carry a big stick—you’ll go far,” may have even earned Roosevelt a Nobel Peace prize for his soft-spoken negotiation tactics to end the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. However, there are times when speaking softly isn’t an option and the big stick needs to do the negotiating.

Echoing the latter part of Roosevelt’s ideology is CMMG’s new MkW-15 Anvil rifle, chambered for the beastly .458 SOCOM cartridge. As many know, the .458 SOCOM was designed to give U.S. military personnel greater close-range stopping power than the .223 Rem., while maintaining compatibility with most mil-spec M16 parts. Naturally, the civilian firearms market adopted the .458 SOCOM for the AR-15 rifle. The ability to fire 300- to 550-grain bullets with the simple swap of an upper receiver is an appealing feat for hunting, home defense or vaporizing watermelons.

Like anything, there’s always a trade-off, and firing the .458 SOCOM from a standard AR-15 platform isn’t immune to problems. The bruised shoulders of many shooters provide vivid illustrations of the increased felt recoil of the cartridge. In fact, the .458 SOCOM introduces standard AR-15 parts to physical stresses that they were not originally designed to withstand. Additional forces produced by the cartridge are known to cause mechanical and cycling problems with standard AR-15s such as unreliable feeding, over-gassing, and metallurgical stress on moving parts. Cycling issues are also known to destroy brass, which is inconvenient given the cost and availability of .458 SOCOM brass cases.

CMMG MkW-15 ANVIL 1
The .458 SOCOM is a potent round, and the MkW-15 ANVIL is purpose-built to handle it.

A Bigger Stick
Enter the CMMG MkW-15 Anvil rifle, which was specifically engineered to achieve optimal performance and longevity with the .458 SOCOM. From a glance, the Anvil looks like any other AR-15. Pick it up, and it even has the same ergonomics and controls as your favorite .22-caliber carbine. But pull the trigger and you’ll know immediately that you just delivered a bit more lead than a 55-grain XM-193 downrange.

While it looks, wields and operates like a standard AR-15, look a bit closer and you’ll find the direct impingement, gas-operated semi-automatic CMMG Anvil was designed more like a Hummer H1 than a Jeep Wrangler.

CMMG MkW-15 ANVIL Bolt carrier
The bolt face on the standard AR-15 bolt carrier looks small in comparison to that featured on the MkW-15.

Compared to other Mil-Spec ARs, the Anvil’s parts are beefed up all-around to give it greater longevity. Its receivers and bolt carrier group are significantly reinforced with extra aluminum and steel for added rigidity. In fact, many of the Anvil’s major mechanical parts are not cross-compatible with standard AR-15 components—an intentional engineering decision by CMMG to give the Anvil maximum performance and reliability with the .458 SOCOM cartridge. CMMG utilized a similar beefed-up design with its Mk47 Mutant rifle introduced in 2015, which was built around the 7.62x39mm cartridge.

The introduction of the Anvil rifle marks the first semi-auto rifle (that I know of) that was designed from the ground-up for the .458 SOCOM cartridge. Diverting from other manufacturers who simply slap a bigger barrel and bolt onto existing AR-15 hardware, CMMG’s Anvil is actually a bigger hammer entirely. In fact, its billet aluminum upper and lower receivers will not even attach to standard AR receivers. While shooters who desire cross-compatibility may see the proprietary design as a turn-off, the Anvil’s enlarged skeleton enables the rifle to run more reliably, reduces recoil and adds longevity through high round counts. Though its major mechanical components are scaled up to handle the .458, the Anvil maintains compatibility with standard AR-15 magazines and some common parts such as the fire control group, pistol grip and buttstock.

CMMG MkW-15 ANVIL
The MkW-15's receiver is beefed up specifically for the .458 SOCOM, as can be seen here.

Given the Anvil’s compatibility considerations, do the potential risks of using proprietary parts outweigh the performance benefits of its custom-tailored design? In short, absolutely. Even with standard AR-15 rifles that have been converted to fire .458 SOCOM, the parts most prone to failure—the bolt and the barrel—are still relatively expensive and hard to find. Personally, I find greater comfort in the fact that the Anvil’s components were specifically engineered to maximize reliability by minimizing the known failure points of standard AR components at the mercy of the .458 SOCOM.

CMMG MkW-15 ANVIL 4Like a Wrecking Ball
Quite simply, if you had to pick one semi-auto rifle equally capable of stopping a car, a hog and a home intruder on the same day, look no further than the CMMG MkW-15 Anvil.

Thumping out almost 2,400 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, the Anvil is more than capable of delivering serious stopping power in the form of .45-caliber projectiles. Not only that, but the gun is capable of handling the gamut of .458 SOCOM loads on the market. Its adjustable gas block and threaded barrel are also inviting for custom-tuning the Anvil to run smoothly with your favorite loads through a suppressor.

CMMG MkW-15 -rangeRange Tested, Writer Approved
During testing, we found the factory gas block setting was a bit excessive, likely tuned for maximum reliability. Dialing the gas flow down a small amount seemed to reduce felt recoil without affecting reliability.

In terms of accuracy, the Anvil produced average groups of 2.25 inches at 100 yards with a Nikon M-223 1-4×20 scope. Greater magnification would likely increase accuracy; however, the intent of the .458 SOCOM round is not necessarily to offer pinpoint precision but rather superior stopping power at close range.

Among the variety of ammo tested, the MkW-15 took no distinct favorites, making it a very versatile firearm for anything from hunting to home defense. For domestic applications, some may argue the .458 SOCOM is overkill when in fact it is very suitable for home-defense with the right ammunition choice. Projectiles such as the Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing copper or the Polycase ARX are likely the best candidates for home-defense applications because they offer reduced penetration and devastating terminal effects on soft targets. When bigger is better—as is often the case with .458 SOCOM—we found the CorBon 300-grain Deep Penetrating Expanding (DPX) to function reliably through the Anvil and perform exactly as advertised.

After firing 200 rounds of various .458 SOCOM rounds through the MkW-15 Anvil, not one mechanical or cycling problem was observed. Firing that many beastly rounds was surprisingly comfortable, especially compared to standard AR-15s converted to fire the mighty .458. While the Anvil certainly doesn’t eliminate recoil, its beefed up design absolutely makes each trigger pull more enjoyable.

CMMG MkW-15 final
CMMG's MkW-15 ANVIL is a serious option for shooters searching for a dedicated .458 SOCOM AR platform.

Parting Shots
With the Anvil, CMMG makes it harder than ever to justify not owning a rifle in .458 SOCOM. The Anvil is clearly capable of delivering 300- to 550-grain bullets with great accuracy. Based off the AR-15 platform, the MkW-15 is ergonomic and has familiar controls that make it easy to shoot well. Its reinforced design offers peace of mind that the major components can handle the .458 SOCOM cartridge. Most of all, this gun is just flat out fun to shoot and follows Roosevelt’s time-tested motto about carrying a big stick. As far as positives, it’s a beast. Accurate. Versatile. Reliable. Ergonomic. Fun to shoot. If there are negatives, it’s heavy (almost 10 pounds fully loaded with scope), and .458 SOCOM ammo is expensive (a great reason to reload!).

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the December 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

How To: Do-It-Yourself DuraCoat

duracoat rifle-main

Learn how to apply your own DuraCoat finish using Lauer Custom Weaponry's new DuraCoat Aerosol Kit with this do-it-yourself guide.

Our world is bursting with vibrant color, that is, until you walk into your local gun store. Sure, you’ll find the occasional snub nose with pink grips or maybe a gold-plated Desert Eagle, but as gun buyers we’ve become mostly pigeonholed into an uninspired color palette modeled closely after the first hour of The Wizard of Oz.

After all, what’s not to love about warm wood grain or that deep, rich gloss of a blued revolver? Maybe you prefer bold stainless steel, or even one of those scary black anodized aluminum semi-auto rifles?

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a special place in my heart for basically every gun in the gun store, and I own most of the traditional firearms previously alluded to. However, I’ve always wished I could just click my heels and own a gun with a custom color scheme without breaking the bank. Since the guns in my collection looked like those in every big box store in America, I set out to follow the yellow brick road and add a touch of color to my ordinary armory.

prep-prep-tools-2
Everything should be accessible before you start spraying.

A number of professional firearm painters reside in my area; however, I like weekend projects—or any excuse to hang out in my man cave for a few hours. I’d heard of DuraCoat, a specialized firearm paint that’s extremely resistant to the abuse of typical field usage. Manufactured by Lauer Custom Weaponry, DuraCoat comes in hundreds of colors and can be applied to almost any surface, including metal, wood and plastic. Until recently, when Lauer began offering DuraCoat in a convenient aerosol spray can, you needed to have specialized equipment and training to properly apply the finish.

With its new DuraCoat Aerosol product, Lauer Custom Weaponry set out to add a touch of color to the stale palette of firearms. Now, any weekend warrior like me who has ever picked up a can of spray paint has the ability to personalize their guns at home. That was exactly my level of proficiency with painting guns. This article serves as an account of my experience as a novice using the product for the first time.

Living in the Southwest, Magpul Flat Dark Earth (FDE) was a fitting color choice so I could blend in with rocks and high desert sage country while calling for coyotes. So I ordered a can of DuraCoat Aerosol in Magpul FDE and dismantled my favorite AR-15 while I waited for the can to arrive a few days later. As I waited on the product to ship, I also began a detailed cleaning of every part stripped from my rifle. I used Hoppe’s No. 9 and thoroughly cleaned each piece as it was removed from the rifle.

prep-duracoat-trustrip
DuraCoat Aerosol Kit with TruStrip Degreaser.

Lauer Custom Weaponry strongly stresses the disclaimer that DuraCoat must be applied to a clean, dry surface. Any residual oils or dirt WILL absolutely ruin your chances of having a quality, long-lasting paint job. Lauer ships the DuraCoat Aerosol Kit with a can of TruStrip degreaser and a ScotchBrite pad, which combine to be very effective at removing oils and debris. However, I wanted to be doubly sure that my gun was clean.

After using Hoppe’s No. 9, I baked all the rifle parts in my kitchen oven at it’s lowest setting of 150 degrees for a half hour. Lauer did not suggest this step, but I found that it resulted in residual oils seeping from deep inside the metal that I later removed with TruStrip. I’m sure there’s some technical metallurgy term for this phenomenon, but again I am a novice gun painter.

Once everything was clean, I built a makeshift spray booth in the unfinished part of my basement. The booth was made from a large cardboard box set on an old card table that I positioned in a well-ventilated area under a large shop light. Looking like a doctor before surgery, all the tools I needed were easily accessible. Once you start spraying the DuraCoat, you will not want to leave the painting area to fetch important tools.

Finally, it was almost time to start applying DuraCoat. First, I used wire cutters to section off 6- to 10-inch segments of wire clothing hangers to suspend each rifle part from the cardboard spraying booth. Once all the parts were hanging, it was time to activate the DuraCoat Aerosol can.

prep-clean-it
All residual oil and dirt must be removed.

This is where the magic of DuraCoat Aerosol happens. Dubbed by Lauer as “can within a can technology,” the product actually has a separate reservoir of DuraCoat paint hardener built inside the can. The DuraCoat paint is activated once the hardener reservoir is punctured and agitated. As directed, I shook the can for two minutes just like a normal can of spray paint to mix the Magpul FDE color. Then I inserted an included red plastic plug into the bottom of the can and pressed until I heard an affirmative “click” or “pop” noise to puncture the hardener reservoir. To fully activate the DuraCoat Aerosol, I then shook the can for another two minutes to mix the hardener with the FDE color.

Now it was time to give my black rifle the desert paint job I dreamed of. I started by spraying an aluminum 30-round magazine for a quick practice run to make sure I was applying the paint correctly. A few mists of Duracoat onto the mil-spec mag gave me the confidence to keep going. “This is pretty easy,” I kept thinking to myself, wondering secretly if I was doing something wrong.

The next parts that received FDE paint were large parts such as the receivers, barrel and handguards. I followed the instructions from Lauer’s YouTube video and lightly applied the DuraCoat to each part with long, sweeping strokes about 8-12 inches away. After each coat, I immediately “flashed” the coating with my heatgun on the lowest setting. According to Lauer, this causes the solvents in DuraCoat to evaporate and is the first step in the drying/curing process. I did this three times to each part to achieve three coats.

Once each piece received three coats, I transferred them from the spray booth to hang from a copper pipe in my unfinished basement to dry overnight. For the small parts such as the trigger pins, magazine release and bolt catch, I put them in a wire strainer and sprayed them until lightly coated. There might be a better way to paint the small parts but this method worked fine for me.

prep-spraying
The author did a “practice round,” spraying a 30-round magazine before moving onto the rifle.

Overall, applying DuraCoat was incredibly simple. In fact, the most difficult part was taking apart the AR-15 and degreasing every part. Looking back, I am extremely happy with the results but reluctant to take on another DIY AR-15 DuraCoat project any time soon. The AR-15 has so many small parts and a huge amount of surface area to cover, which is why I ended up needing to use two cans to complete the project. For the cost of two cans ($40 each) plus the total time spent, I'd probably opt to have my next AR-15 professionally painted. Others will probably enjoy the DIY process.

what-to-needOnce dried, I noticed two small paint runs, which were on the first two pieces I sprayed. This was a result of holding the spray nozzle too close to the part. Since the runs were basically unnoticeable, I left them as they were. Had I wanted to, I could have taken some 1,000-grit sand paper to the run spot and then touched up the area with more DuraCoat, but that was not necessary for this project.

In the future, I plan to spray a Glock 17 with the same Magpul FDE color because now it only seems fitting to have a handgun to match the rifle. There’s also a rusty Remington 870 sitting in my safe that would greatly benefit from DuraCoat.

After hunting and target shooting several times in the desert with my freshly DuraCoated AR-15, I’ve found the finish to withstand regular wear and tear without scratching or chipping. The DuraCoat Aerosol finish is here to stay and will probably last longer than my lifetime, meaning that this project turned my everyday AR-15 into a prized family heirloom.

Thanks to Lauer Custom Weaponry’s DuraCoat Aerosol, the firearm world is a more colorful place and my rifle is camouflaged into the high desert. When it comes to giving your guns a custom DuraCoat paint job, there really is no place like home.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the July 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Competition Bred: Armalite M-15 3-Gun Rifle

Armalite M-15 3-Gun Rifle review.

Loaded with race-ready features, the Armalite M-15 3-Gun rifle is born and bred for the winner’s circle.

To accommodate left-handed shooters, the Armalite M-15 3-Gun rifle features an ambidextrous safety and charging handle. Photo by Dusty GibsonThe new kid on the block of shooting sports, 3-gun competition requires specialized equipment that is already evolving at run-and-gun speed.

Keeping a close eye on the booming popularity of the sport, gun and gear manufacturers who once tiptoed around 3-gun specific products are now running into the ring with their gloves off. As a result, those manufacturers are making it easier than ever to get involved in the sport. Getting started in 3-gun demands so much equipment that one might need to buy a bigger truck to haul it around with.

Now, shooters can purchase race-ready gear that’s factory designed for the user to simply pull out of the box and get going.

When it comes to Armalite’s new M-15 3-gun rifle, every inch of this compact carbine is custom-tailored for optimal performance in competition. From its single-stage Timney trigger to its tunable muzzle brake and gas block, this rifle means business.

While Armalite may be new to the 3-gun game, anyone who knows that the “AR” in AR-15 stands for Armalite rather than “assault rifle” should know that the Illinois-based company has more than 60 years of firearm innovations under its belt. Now it’s packing that experience into a rifle with a 13.5-inch stainless steel barrel that’s easily capable of shooting sub-MOA groups or plinking steel at 400 plus yards.

The Lion’s Mane

Take a closer look at each component of this rifle and it’s obvious how Armalite’s innovative instinct is influencing a transformation in the specialized equipment used for 3-gun competition.

With an overall length of just 34.5 inches, the M-15 3-gun is about 4 inches shorter than typical run-and-gun rifles. Its shorter profile allows shooters to wield the rifle faster around obstacles or through tight courses of fire. So how does Armalite stay at the 16-inch NFA threshold but still remain short? The answer lies in a 13.5-inch barrel that has a 2.5-inch long pinned and welded Armalite tunable muzzle brake, bringing the barrel exactly to the 16-inch “street legal” mark.

The rifle incorporates a largely fixed LUTH MBA-1 precision stock. Photo by Dusty Gibson
The rifle incorporates a largely fixed LUTH MBA-1 precision stock. Photo by Dusty Gibson

Saving 4 inches might not sound like much, but the size and weight reduction is a huge advantage when a course of fire requires quick movements and smooth transitions between left- and right-handed target engagements.

As far as ambidexterity, the M-15 3-Gun was designed with righties and lefties in mind, though it does favor righties. Left-handers still deal with right-handed case ejection and standard bolt and magazine releases. However, an ambidextrous safety selector and Raptor charging handle play no favorites, and an over molded Hogue grip invites all shooters.

Armalite has also engineered and manufactured an innovative handguard that’s easy on the hands without sacrificing the ability to attach accessories. The 12-inch free-floating aluminum KeyMod handguard is lightweight and rugged, but its main feature is what it doesn’t have: Picatinny rails all along the 12 o’clock position. By machining it without cheese grater rails across the top, Armalite has created a forend that’s friendly to the popular C-clamp grip used by most 3-gunners.

Though very robust, the LUTH MBA-1 precision buttstock is one feature some shooters may consider replacing. The stock is mostly a fixed length, though minor adjustments for comb height and length of pull are possible. Shooters with a shorter length of pull, or who like a collapsible stock, will likely not enjoy this stock. While the sport of 3-gun demands accuracy, it also doesn’t require the bench-rest level precision a fixed stock offers. Most target engagements don’t stretch past a couple hundred yards, and at those distances, the targets are usually large steel plates. Overall, the stock is desirable, but it’s not the answer for every 3-gun shooter.

Armalite has assembled an exceptional collection of parts into a well-engineered rifle with quality craftsmanship. Each component on the M-15 was carefully considered based on its merits for winning 3-gun competitions.

Armalite M-15 3-Gun Rifle.

Race-Ready Performance

When Armalite designed a 3-gun rifle around a 13.5-inch barrel, they took two major risks: First, the barrel would be too short to stabilize heavier bullets; second, the shorter length would go against the grain and be frowned upon by 3-gun shooters.

Based on performance during range testing, Armalite’s risks seem worth the reward. After testing using ammo with three different bullet weights, the shorty stainless steel barrel achieved exceptional accuracy and functioned flawlessly. Even the heavier 62- and 75-grain bullets were accurate through the barrel.

How does Armalite’s 13.5-inch 3-gun rifle achieve accuracy despite its shortened length? The answer is mostly rooted in its superb stainless steel barrel. Designed with a 1:8-inch twist rate, bullets are able to achieve significant spin before leaving the barrel, giving heavier bullets the stabilization needed to achieve exceptional accuracy.

Most importantly, this barrel configuration gives shooters the flexibility to use different types of ammo based on the objective of each particular 3-gun stage. Want to reach out for a long-range shot on a windy day? Load up with a 75-grain Hornady Superformance Match. Or maybe you’re shooting cardboard silhouettes in close quarters? Run the cheap and dirty 55-grain imported stuff.

This flexibility doesn’t stop with the barrel. Equipped with an adjustable gas block and muzzle brake, the M-15 might as well come with its own set of tuning forks. Adjusting the gas block allows shooters to tame the recoil of each particular load by controlling the amount of gas used to cycle the bolt carrier. Less gas means a lower reciprocating force to your shoulder on each shot, and therefore less muzzle rise, which keeps your sights on target.

Armalite’s adjustable muzzle brake also allows shooters to custom tune their rifle with any type of ammo. Removable tuning screws on each side of the brake allow gas flow to be controlled similar to a valve. Allowing more or less gas through the tuning screws adjusts the amount of muzzle rise.

Both the muzzle brake and gas blocks require some trial and error with your preferred ammo. Making precise adjustments or messing around with these components during a match would be difficult unless the shooter is very experienced in their effects on performance.

 A 2.5-inch pinned and welded tunable muzzle brake allows Armalite to offer a 13.5-inch barrel on the rifle. Photo by Dusty Gibson
A 2.5-inch pinned and welded tunable muzzle brake allows Armalite to offer a 13.5-inch barrel on the rifle. Photo by Dusty Gibson

Armalite’s M-15 also uses a single-stage Timney trigger that breaks like a candy cane. As tested at 3.78 pounds, the trigger leaves nothing to be desired. In fact, during our testing, we blew through a lot of ammo because double and triple tapping was too much fun.

Overall, this compact carbine makes it crystal clear that Armalite set out to innovate the market of 3-gun rifles. From its ergonomic features to a fully adjustable operating system, this race-ready workhorse was built to win. It’s also turning heads and changing what competitors expect from a factory-built, match-grade rifle.

Armalite M-15
Manufacturer   Armalite.com
Model    M-15 13-in. 3-Gun Rifle
Caliber    5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington
Barrel    13.5-inch stainless steel
Rifling Twist    1:8 RH
Gas System    Direct Impingement, mid-length, adjustable gas block
Muzzle Device    Armalite tunable brake (welded)
Handguard    12-in. free float aluminum, KeyMod
Stock    LUTH MBA-1
Receivers    Forged 7057-T6 aluminum
Safety    Ambidextrous
Trigger    Timney single stage, 3.78 lb.
Charging Handle    Raptor ambidextrous
Overall length    34.5 in.
Weight    6.9 lbs.
Magazine    Magpul PMAG
MSRP    $1,599

This AR-15 review appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of Modern Shooter Magazine.

Related Video:

Extra Terrestrial: CMMG Mk47 Mutant Pistol

CMMG MK 47 Mutant Pistol Review.
Photos by Dusty Gibson.

The CMMG Mk47 Mutant Pistol effectively splices the DNA of the AR-15 and the AK-47 into one compact, lead-slinging hybrid.

It may look like an AR, but it feeds from AK mags. Photo by Dusty Gibson
It may look like an AR, but it feeds from AK mags. Photo by Dusty Gibson

Age-old debates surrounding firearms, such as the one between AR-15 and AK-47, will probably never go away, but a new gun aims to present a peaceful resolution to those timeless disputes. Bridging the gap between caliber wars and platform loyalties, the CMMG Mk47 Mutant offers a unique hybrid design that links the genius of Eugene Stoner and Mikhail Kalashnikov into a single firearm.

Originally offered in a full-length rifle variation with a 16-inch barrel, the 7.62x39mm Mutant landed in late 2014 equipped with the gas operation and ergonomics of an AR-15, combined with the ammo compatibility of an AK-47. With the naked eye, everything about the gun screams AR-15 until the caliber and magazine come into focus.

Riding on the success of its full-size, extra terrestrial Mutant mother ship, CMMG is now offering a pistol variant of the Mk47 with a 10-inch barrel.

Why a pistol, you might ask? Pistols need not be registered with the BATFE as short-barreled rifles, therefore eliminating a $200 tax stamp and a multi-month waiting period. They are also legal to own and hunt with in a large number of states. In many states, having a concealed carry license allows the carrying of loaded Mk47 pistols in a vehicle, making this an ideal truck gun. Given those reasons, there’s no question why the 10-inch Mutant pistol might actually be more appealing to own than the full-size model. But the Mutant pistol’s curb appeal isn’t limited to how it slashes through red tape, but rather how it offers the best of both worlds in a single package.

The Mk47’s bolt carrier group looks similar to the AR’s but uses a larger bolt face with oversized locking lugs. Photo by Dusty Gibson
The Mk47’s bolt carrier group looks similar to the AR’s but uses a larger bolt face with oversized locking lugs. Photo by Dusty Gibson

AK-47 fans may wonder, “Why not just buy an AK-47 pistol?” First, the Mutant’s familiar ergonomic controls derived from the AR-15 are a huge appeal for many shooters. Second, it features a number of standardized AR parts, such as the fire control group, that are often easier to find at local stores than AK parts. Third, thanks to its direct-impingement gas system, suppressing the Mutant is also far easier than trying to stick a can on an AK. Fourth, the Mk47 has ample rail space to accommodate your choice of sights, scopes, lasers or other attachments. It’s also made in the USA.

AR-15 fans may wonder, “Why not just buy an AR-15 pistol?” Mainly, bulk ammo availability of the 7.62x39mm cartridge often far exceeds that of .223 Rem/5.56 NATO. The .30-caliber cartridge is known to hit harder and make a larger hole than a .223, which is why many states approve the Russian cartridge for hunting. The Mutant can also throw some impressive fireballs, giving it points for the pure “cool factor.”

Performance

Of course, combining pieces of two iconic firearms into a single, effective system means nothing if the gun doesn’t perform reliably.

During testing, the Mutant pistol ate up hundreds of rounds without a mechanical hiccup. CMMG designed the Mutant’s guts to stand up against heavy usage. Its bolt carrier group is derived from the AR-15 platform, incorporating a bolt face with oversized locking lugs that look like they came off a battle tank. The result is a sturdy reciprocating mass more than capable of reliably cycling the 7.62x39mm cartridge.

With extra reciprocating mass typically comes greater recoil, but CMMG tamed the Mutant pistol with a carbine-length gas system to bleed the gas through a longer tube and reduce recoil. Combine this with an aggressive muzzle brake that throws flames like an angry dragon, and the Mutant’s recoil can be described as a gentle thump. Those who have ever fired a supersonic .300 Blackout through an AR-15 platform will know what to expect from the 7.62x39mm Mutant.

The Mk47 pistol works well with a pistol brace or a sling for support. Notice the lack of a forward assist. Photo by Dusty Gibson
The Mk47 pistol works well with a pistol brace or a sling for support. Notice the lack of a forward assist. Photo by Dusty Gibson

One area where the Mutant comes up short for AR-15 aficionados is surely in the absence of a bolt release lever or forward assist. The Mutant also does not lock the bolt to the rear on an empty magazine. Each of those characteristics are part of the Mutant’s AK-47 influence, hence the hybrid design. Additionally, the included Magpul 25-round AK PMAGs feed very reliably, but their polymer feed lips quickly show signs of wear and tear that you wouldn’t experience with metallic magazines.

Some people may question the accuracy of a 10-inch barrel, but testing showed that the Mutant delivers very acceptable group sizes. Using a non-magnified EOTech XPS 2-1, the author was able to achieve a 1.72-inch group at 100 yards. Extending the range out to 600 yards was also not an issue, though greater magnification with a 3x magnifier would significantly improve its maximum effective range. For a gun that’s geared toward defensive situations and shooting range pleasure, the Mutant leaves little to be desired in terms of accuracy.

Shooting the Mutant at nighttime revealed that aliens really do come out after dark. Fireballs from the Mk47 reached several feet on each side of the muzzle, momentarily illuminating the desert in all directions like an alien aircraft. Flame throwing was to be expected with a rifle cartridge firing through a 10-inch barrel, as un-burnt powder ignited outside the barrel.

Parting Shots

CMMG one-upped itself with the pistol variation of the Mk47 Mutant. In fact, the pistol version is likely a more practical choice than the rifle. Its shorter barrel makes it very maneuverable in tight places, such as a vehicle, without sacrificing enough ballistic performance to make a difference for most users.

The Mutant lacks a bolt release lever and uses the AK’s paddle-style mag release. Photo by Dusty Gibson
The Mutant lacks a bolt release lever and uses the AK’s paddle-style mag release. Photo by Dusty Gibson

Those intending to use the Mutant pistol as a home defense gun in low-light situations should consider trading the muzzle brake for a flash hider or suppressor to avoid excessive muzzle flash, which temporarily reduces your night vision.

For a gun that accepts some of the most readily available and affordable rifle ammunition, the CMMG Mk47 Mutant offers an appealing hybrid design that’s inviting to both the AR and the AK crowd. There’s no doubt it’ll turn heads on the range and become a favorite piece in any collection that offers equal parts functionality and pure cool factor.

CMMG Mk47
Manufacturer    CMMG
Model    Mk47 “Mutant” Pistol
Caliber    7.62x39mm
Operation    Direct Gas-Impingement Semi-Auto
Weight    6lbs. (unloaded)
Overall Length    26.5 in.
Barrel    10 in., 1:10 twist
Muzzle    5/8”-24 SV muzzle brake
Receivers    Billet 7075 T6 Aluminum
Trigger    7.5-pound single stage (measured
with Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge)
Handguard    9” free float, KeyMod
MSRP    $1,499
Website    CMMGInc.com

Related Video:

MUST READ ARTICLES