What defines the “ultimate” rifle?
This is one of the most divisive topics when it comes to shooting for self defense and sporting purposes and its easy to understand due to:
- Numerous options for barrel length, caliber, sights, accessory rails, proprietary coatings, trigger pull weight, trigger shape, dominant-side v. ambidextrous controls, and etc.
- Dozens of companies are building, or selling, all manner of parts and each of these companies rely on marketing to tell the consumer what they should buy.
- States and local jurisdictions with unique terrain, laws, and weather considerations.
Given these variables, its easy for new and intermediate shooters to get bogged down with choosing the “best rifle”.
The benefit of numerous options can even lead to its own set of problems, such as “tolerance stacking”. This is where the specifications used by individual companies may work with OEM parts but parts from non-OEM individual companies may not work with parts from other non-OEM companies. There is an awesome description of this on the Tactical Toolbox YouTube channel in the video “Ultimate: Polymer 80 Glock Troubleshooting Guide” from 01:27 through 01:47.
This is one of the reasons I tried to stay with as few providers as possible, namely: Wilson Combat (receivers, upper and lower parts kit, BCG, barrel), MagPul (grips, stock, receiver extension, buffer), and BCM (handguard, ALG trigger). As for MagPul and BCM, they have collaborated enough over the years that I’m confident they would have worked out any tolerance issues.
Parts List:
- WC Match Grade Barrel, 5.56, Recon, 16″ ($220)
- WC Bolt Carrier Ass’y, 5.56 NATO, NP3 ($250)
- WC Flash Hider, Accu-Tac ($50)
- WC Lower/Upper Rec’r, AR, Matched set, Gray ($300)
- WC Upper Rec’r parts kit ($55)
- WC Lower Rec’r parts kit ($50)
- WC Gas Block, Lo-Profile ($30)
- WC Gas Tube, Med Length ($17)
- WC Armor Tuff, Barrel, Gray ($40)
- Magpul, Stock, STR Carbine, Gray ($80)
- Magpul, Receiver Ext’n, Gray ($50)
- Magpul, Grip, MIAD, Gen 1.1 – Type 2 ($36)
- Magpul, Buffer Spring, AR15 ($5)
- Magpul, Buffer, Carbine, AR15, H ($23)
- BCM, Handguard, QRF, 12″, Blk ($190)
- Vickers, Sling, Urban Wolf, ($48)
- ALG Defense, Trigger, QMS ($46)
- Magpul, End Plate, ASAP QD ($30)
- Trijicon MRO, Optic, Red Dot w/ Co-Witness Mount ($450)
- Troy Industries, Sights, HK Style, flip up ($220)
- Approx Total (minus shipping, magazines, parts, tools, shipping) $2190
This rifle was built to serve the purpose of a good short-to-medium distance tool for self defense. I was interested in a common caliber that is easily sourced and not prohibitively expensive, collapsible stock to accommodate laying in various seasons, picatinny rails for accessories, and a subtle departure from an all-black rifle.
It handles well around barricades, quickly acquires targets from 3yds to 50yds, and has hit capability on steel targets out to 600 yds. From the time it was built (early 2018) to the present (January 2020), I’ve logged about 5000 rounds during 80 hours of class instruction and probably another 40 hours of range time. The only problem I have had was around a thousand rounds when my gas block came loose because I hadn’t tightened it properly. Other than that assembly issue on my part, I believe quality hardware and armorer training resulted in a very dependable and capable tool.
However, the focus on hardware distracts from what is probably the most important consideration in building the ultimate rifle, which is training. Maybe that training is heading out to an old rock quarry and plinking away at targets if that’s all you care to do with the rifle. But if you want a rifle that performs well for self defense and competition then you need to invest in systematic, progressive, quality training.
Through this process of discovery, you can see what works for you, talk to others to see what works for them, and explore your capabilities with a rifle. There are many insightful anecdotes and unique equipment in classes that can help cultivate your personal preferences before dropping a lot of money on a high-end rifle that’s under-utilized or a custom build that is riddled with issues. You may even find that an off-the-rack rifle is perfectly fine for your intended purposes.
Thank you to trainer, photographer, and friend Ken Allen for the photos. Be sure to check his course schedule and sign up for any of his phenomenal offerings.
Link: Ken Allen Training