AR-15 Podcast - Modern Sporting Rifle Radio

Jake and Reed talk about the best options for an AR-15 truck gun.

Jake and Reed talk about the best options for an AR-15 truck gun. Welcome to episode #19 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. This is THEE podcast about youuurrrr favorite black rifle! This show is for you; whether you're building your first AR or you’ve been building ARs for years. There’s something we can all do to take our black rifle to the next level. Shout-out to Gregg from California for the ammo Listener Meetup Houston NRA Show Saturday May 4th 8:00pm Lucky's Pub 801 St. Emanuel Houston, TX 77003 Lone Wolf Distributors is hosting us at the NRA Show Booth #2555 Don’t forget to use the Lone Wolf Discount Code FRN for 10% off your next order! AR-15 Product of the Week: Otis - B.O.N.E. Tool Main Topic:  The Perfect Truck Gun? (shorter show?) Check your local and state laws 1st about vehicle storage/carry Rifle Configurations: 16” Carbine carry handle  Smith & Wesson M&P $1,249 16” Flip up sight basic model - Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport $839 14.5” permanent carry handle Double Starr DS-4 $1,109 7” Pistol 223 - Rock River Arms LAR-15 $1,060 9’ Pistol 223 - Rock River Arms - LAR-PDS Pistol  $1,245 7” Pistol 9mm Rock River Arms LAR-9 $1,210 9mm Lone Wolf Carbine Lower $384 and Lone Wolf 16" Carbine Upper 9mm $689 40 S&W 16” Rock River Arms LAR-40 CAR A4 $1,260 .308 16” Mid Length Rock River Arms LAR-8 Mid-Length A4 Rifle $1,335 Kel-Tec PLR-16 (not an AR-15) $665 Vehicle Mounting Options: Truck Vault Slideout $929 Big Sky Rack Gunrack For Ar15 $265 Listener Feedback: Joel in Oakville, WA: Hi Jake and Reed.  I have two things I'd like to say.  The first has to do with your podcast on AR-15's as a home defense weapon. I disagree with one thing you said. I believe it was Reed who said that a red dot optic was a "good option" for your home defense AR.  I disagree.  I believe it's absolutely necessary, for two reasons. 1) I would not want to have to take the time to try and line up iron sights in the dark when my life is on the line rather than placing a bright red dot on my target. 2) Aiming with iron sights will most likely involve closing your non-dominant eye to aim.  In a home defense situation, you want to have a wide field of view to locate the possible intruder. My second reason for writing is because I have a surefire fix to the issue with cycling steel-cased ammo.  The issue is that when brass ammo fires, the case expands then quickly contracts back to its normal size.  Steel, on the other hand, stays expanded.  This makes it harder to rip out of the chamber.  The solution is a stronger extractor spring.  Once I replaced my extractor spring, I cycled Tula and Herter\'s steel ammo without issue.  Keep up the good work guys. Chris: just found out about this.  Good idea on putting one site together that has links to multiple AR15 parts http://arpartsfinder.com/ Andrew from occupied Canada: Hi Jake, Great show, I really enjoy listening every week. Its great to hear you guys talk about my favorite scary black rifle. In episode 17 Myles from NZ talked about the lack of ARs, but I have good news Bushmaster is not his only option! North Eastern Arms, from my home province of Ontario, is shipping Canadian made AR15s internationally. I know they are available in New Zealand and South Africa and NEA is exporting to other markets. Since these are made in Canada they aren't as affected by ITAR as most US manufacturers. Keep up the great work. Listener Meetup Houston NRA Show Saturday May 4th 8:00pm Lucky's Pub 801 St. Emanuel Houston, TX 77003 Lone Wolf Distributors is hosting us at the NRA Show Booth #2555 Don’t forget to use the Lone Wolf Discount Code FRN for 10% off your next order! iTunes Review: feedback@ar15podcast.com Find us on iTunes http://www.ar15builder.com/ Brownells White Oak Armament Geissele.com

Steve joins Reed and Jake to talk about why now might actually be a good time to start an AR build.

Steve joins Reed and Jake to talk about why now might actually be a good time to start an AR build. Welcome to episode #18 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. Joining us tonight is Steve our Law Enforcement Officer from Texas.  This is THEE podcast about youuurrrr favorite black rifle! This show is for you; whether you're building your first AR or you’ve been building ARs for years. There’s something we can all do to take our black rifle to the next level. AR-15 Build giveaway Started filming the video blog Shout-out to Reed Shout-out to Gregg from California for the ammo Listener Meetup Houston NRA Show Saturday May 4th 8:00pm Lucky's Pub 801 St. Emanuel Houston, TX 77003 Lone Wolf Distributors is hosting us at the NRA Show Booth #2555 Don’t forget to use the Lone Wolf Discount Code FRN for 10% off your next order! AR-15 Product of the Week: Adams Arms Piston Conversion System Main Topic:  Why Now is the Time to Build an AR? Top 5 reasons for starting a build now. The availability and supply of parts is now slowly increasing. With record numbers of Modern Sporting Rifles in the hands of enthusiasts, the platform is on the cusp of even greater innovation. 1 “gun” that can serve multiple purposes (target shooting, hunting, home defense, etc.) Speculators and opportunists have given up on looking for parts. Legislation concerning firearms seems to be localized to the States alone so supply should begin to even out with demand. With demand at an all time high, manufacturer’s are showing no indication that they are pulling back from the platform.   How we are giving the AR-15 Build away Flicker Group:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/blackrifle/ Listener Feedback: Jim in CA:  Jake, et all: I really enjoy your podcasts!  I'm a rookie AR-15 builder but a long time rifle team member as a 1960s ROTC cadet and a long term Army Reservist.  (Also ex-Hinsdale, IL resident) Making rifles is a new adventure for me and I enjoy the learning process.  I\'m interested in learning more about building rifles using stripped polymer lower receivers and the costs, practicality and legality of buying and machining 80% lowers to build AR-15 or AR-10 rifles.  I trust you and your associates will be able to address these issues.  Thanks and keep the great programs coming. Pete:  Jake, really love the show, always look forward to the next episode. I was listening to the Canadian version and heard that you have all short ranges in Illinois. I am a resident of the \"people\'s republic of Illinois\" but hopefully things will loosen up. I am also a member of the Aurora Sportsman's Club and an avid shooter. We have a range up to 600 yards and although ASC is a members club, we open our gates regularly for zombie shoots once a year and monthly matches for both handguns and rifles. My favorite is practical rifle which is basically run and gun with modern sporting rifles. Here is some info on it http://aurorascpr.org/ Also if you are interested in looking around or shooting there I\'d be happy to have you as my guest. Keep up the great show, thanks for yours and Reeds work. Listener Meetup Houston NRA Show Saturday May 4th 8:00pm Lucky's Pub 801 St. Emanuel Houston, TX 77003 Lone Wolf Distributors is hosting us at the NRA Show Booth #2555 Don’t forget to use the Lone Wolf Discount Code FRN for 10% off your next order! iTunes Review: Outro: feedback@ar15podcast.com Find us on iTunes http://www.ar15builder.com/ Brownells White Oak Armament Geissele.com

Reed and Jake discuss AR-15 Ballistics.

Welcome to episode #17 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. This is THEE podcast about your favorite black rifle! This show is for you; whether you're building your first AR or you’ve been building ARs for years. There’s something we can all do to take our black rifle to the next level. AR-15 Product of the Week: LaRue Tactical Low Profile Gas Block LT-202 for .750" barrels $69.00 Gun Guy Radio T-Shirts:   Order yours here   Main Topic: Ballistics Internal ballistics (sometimes called interior ballistics): the study of the processes originally accelerating the projectile, for example the passage of a bullet through the barrel of a rifle Transition ballistics (sometimes called intermediate ballistics): the study of the projectile's behavior when it leaves the barrel and the pressure behind the projectile is equalized. External ballistics (sometimes called exterior ballistics): the study of the passage of the projectile through a medium, most commonly the air between firing tool and target. Terminal ballistics: the study of the interaction of a projectile with its target, whether that be flesh (for a hunting bullet), steel (for an anti-tank round), or even furnace slag (for an industrial slag disruptor).   Listener Feedback: Dug Harris: AR-15 Podcast question I recently purchased a BCM AR-15 .556, rifle length (20”). For some reason it has a problem cycling steel cased .223 ammo. It does great with brass. When I say problem, I mean problem as in it won\'t eject the case and strip the next round...ever.  What do you think the problem is?  Thanks much and love the Podcast. Joe:  Next, magazine springs. In 30 years of competitive shooting, collecting and selling guns, and running a small gun company, I have never seen a magazine spring that was too \"weak\" to function.  I don't believe springs wear out from sitting in a loaded magazine and will only believe it when I actually see one! I've found magazines that were left loaded for over 50 years that function fine. I might believe a spring could take a set that might impair the feeding of the last one or two rounds in a hi-cap mag, but have not seen it. Gunshops make a good profit on springs so consider the motives... Finally, you mentioned shooting your personal defense ammo every 6 months or so to get \"fresh ammo.\" Ammo ain't fruits and vegetables! I've shot ammo from the turn of the century that is fine and performs as it did the day manufactured. I've got lots of CMP surplus from the 50\'s that is great ammo. I even have a test running. I've got a case of Mauser ammo from WWII. No telling what it\'s storage condition was for the 60 years before I got it. Since I purchased it, it has been in the workshop at my hunting camp. The high temperatures are over 100, lows in the 20\'s and usually about 80% humidity. Three years ago the camp flooded and the ammo was under about 5 feet of water for 4 months. I was going to throw the ammo out, but decided to keep it; I guess it\'s my hoarding problem! I cleaned the sand and mud out of the case, but didn't take the cartridges out of the boxes. I\'m going to shoot a box every summer to see how long it functions - so far, it\'s fine. Myles: With your recent conversation on Canadian gun laws I thought I would chime in on what firearms laws look like in another commonwealth country.  New Zealand has some of the most liberal gun laws in the world, but they still suck. Suppressors are commonly available for as little as 50 NZ$. It\'s almost as easy to get Chinese M-14s, SKSs HK SL8s and AKs. The gun registry was done away with, if you want to legally own a firearm you need a permit of some sort, but they are fairly easy to get. However if you want an AR-15 there is only one option I know of, Bushmaster imports some ARs but they are TERRIBLE. They are so neutered that they make California compliant rifles look like a weapon of mass destruction.

Matthew McLatchy joins Reed and Jake to talk about the similarities and differences in Canadian Ar-15s. Welcome to episode #16 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. This is THEE podcast about youuurrrr favorite black rifle! This show is for you; whether you're building your first AR or you’ve been building ARs for years. There’s something we can all do to take our black rifle to the next level. AR-15 Product of the Week: EFFIN-A Compensator 5.56 Main Topic:  Matthew McLatchy from Canadian Reload Radio Barrel Length Mag limits 5 -10 Ammo & firearm shortages? Any hope of law changes? Due South Tell us about Canadian Reload Radio Listener Feedback: Lance Sauer - Kansas militia:  I enjoy your show and look forward to each new episode.  Are you going to \"AR-15 as SHTF/militia man rifle\" show.  thought it would be a fun show. Ronnie:  I have an M&P 15 Sport with BCM Gunfighter charging handle, magpul furniture, aimpoint comp m2 and  +today will receive a mid length BCM 16 inch upper. Really like my AR 15.  Keep up good work, please bring in manufacturer guests. Derrick:  One concept that I found interesting that I read about just a few weeks ago, and I am sorry, with all the stuff I've been reading and listening to I do not know who to give the credit too.  Anyway, One way to look at an AR and a shotgun as well, is as a piece of artillery, and the hand gun as infantry.  This concept revolves around the idea that should you face an intruder in your home, you would do your best to secure the safety of your family and then loudly notify the person that you are armed and should you be approached you will defend yourself.  This basic idea was taught to me in my CPL class, and leans towards not engaging unless you absolutely have to.  Anyway, back to the idea, the hand gun would be used to secure the safety of your family, basically getting to a safe room, type thing.  Once you are secure, then switch to the AR/shot gun once you are set, and have called 911 and such.  Basically, don't do a room to room search of your house, let law enforcement to that.  As you guys pointed out, with a hand gun you can utilize your free hand to work a flashlight, or door handles and whatever you may need to while maintaining the ability to shoot. Another thing that was said in the podcast, was if your going to use the AR for home defense you would need to be ready and have the safety off.  But, as you clearly and appropriately emphasized the legal aspects and types of issues that can arise from type of firearm, type of ammo, and factory versus reloads for self defense, I would urge caution in moving through your home with the safety off on either an AR or a shotgun, because in essence you are then walking around with a loaded single action firearm.  Liken it to a revolver, you probably wouldn't suggest walking through your home with a revolver with the hammer cocked right?  Its the very reason law enforcement went to the double action pistols to reduce the chance of a wrongful discharge.  Well, with the safety off on an AR or shotgun, that is in essence what you are doing.  Even assuming you are keeping your finger off the trigger.  To me, it only takes a split second to disengage the safety on an AR or shotgun, and even speaks to your emphasis on the importance of training.  Again, I forget where I heard about it, but there were several cases where police officers had wrongful discharges because they were moving with the safety off on their duty shotgun.  Some food for thought. :) I also enjoyed the discussion about bullets and pass through, as that is always a major concern with home defense, but I had heard/read that even with the FMJ .223 round, that they are designed to yaw, and thus dump more of their energy should they hit a wall, and thus, be even less likely to pass through then even a 9mm HP.  Not saying that is correct, but I know I have hear/read that in more than one place.

Matthew McLatchy joins Reed and Jake to talk about the similarities and differences in Canadian Ar-15s.

Reed and Jake discuss AR-15 configurations, accessories, ammo and more things to consider for home defense rifle. Welcome to episode #15 of the AR15 Podcast.  I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. This is THEE podcast about your favorite black rifle! This show is for you; whether you're building your first AR or you’ve been building ARs for years. There’s something we can all do to take our black rifle to the next level. AR-15 Product of the Week: Noveske QD Receiver End Plate Sling Adapter - $24.99 Main Topic: The AR-15 for Home Defense Pros and Cons Force Multiplier Accuracy Morale/Confidence Adaptability Ease of use Long/Cumbersome Overpenetration Overconfidence Ease of misconfiguration The “Best Home Defense Rifle Configuration” Short Lite Light Spare Magazines Ammunition Options Style of Bullet Hollow Point Open Tip Frangible Non 5.56mm Rifle Caliber ammunition Pistol Caliber ammunition Custom PD loads Nosler Ballistic Tip Federal MK318 MOD-0 Hornady Ammo 223 Rem 75gr FPD 20 Hornady Ammo 223 Rem 55gr. TAP 20 Common Sense Considerations Remove long range optics Zero for CQ engagement Know your surroundings (orientation of each shot) Practice, practice, practice (in dark, scared, heart beating wildly, just awakened) Distance of Engagement - 0 to 21 feet Learn to use AR in Melee situation.  (weapon retention and butt strike) Aimed Point Shooting vs. Point and Shoot Officer-Involved Shootings Know your laws Get Training T-Shirt Giveaway! Ronniel C from Cincinnati   Listener Feedback: Mike D: Great podcast.  Would like to see a series of podcast with example build configurations for budget, midline, and high end components.    It would be extremely helpful to have a parts listing for each.  Continue the great work.   Manny F:  Who would have thought a podcast dedicated to America\'s favorite black rifle would be so informative and entertaining? I'm no expert on the platform but having been trained on it in the Air Force since 1998 and eventually assembling my own in 2009, I'm no newbie either. This podcast has some great nuggets of information for just about everyone. So far I've enjoyed the 300 AAC Blackout the most and I look forward to many more episodes and of course seeing what the giveaway rifle will look like (that is if you Jake ever gets around to making any videos)! Guys, keep up the great work!   Mike in San Diego:  Thanks for the podcast.  Keep it up.  I do have one request...quit with the iTunes feedback.  The feedback is what tells people looking to check out the podcast for the first time whether or not they might enjoy it.  Anyone who listens to the podcast long enough to get to you reading iTunes feedback already knows why they do or don't like it and has probably seen it on iTunes or doesn't care about the feedback anyway. That said, feel free to ask for the feedback so you can get the improved ranking.   Rob Mayzak:  I've been listening since the beginning, great job educating people of all knowledge levels, there is something here for everyone!  A recent episode you spoke about \"offset iron sights\" and I have some experience shooting them in USPSA and 3 Gun competitions. In my experience, I've only seen these sights used when the shooter is running a traditional style scope on his/her rifle. Several 3 Gun competitions will ask the shooter to engage targets from 30\' to 300 yards (or more depending on the course). Shooters are running the scope for the long shots, and then running the offsets for the close shots (under 100 yards). These need to be offset due to the inability to use a scope close up, and co-witness thru a magnified optic. The manual of arms for these sights is great as the shooter should already be familiar with cocking their rifle to the 2 o'clock position to visually check the chamber when reloading.

Reed and Jake discuss AR-15 configurations, accessories, ammo and more things to consider for home defense rifle.

Reed and Jake tackle the backlog of great listener feedback on this weeks AR-15 Podcast. Welcome to episode 14 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. This is THEE podcast about youuurrrr favorite black rifle! This...

Reed and Jake tackle the backlog of great listener feedback on this week’s AR-15 Podcast.

Reed and Jake cover the basics of the AR-15 iron/backup sighting systems. For complete show notes go to ar15podcast.com

Reed and Jake cover the basics of the AR-15 iron/backup sighting systems.   Welcome to episode #13 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand with Co-host Reed Snyder. This is THEE podcast about youuurrrr favorite black rifle! This show is for you; whether you're building your first AR or you’ve been building ARs for years. There’s something we can all do to take our black rifle to the next level. Shout Out to Josh for sending the PMags AR-15 Product of the Week: Troy Ambidextrous Magazine Release Main Topic: Factory Iron Sights Carry Handle Flat Top Rail Mounted Iron Sights Co-Witness Optic 45 degree sights Standard Detachable Carry Handle Standard Detachable Carry Handle (Milspec) Troy Industries Folding Battle Sights YHM - Gas Block Front and Rear Sight Combo Magpul Gen 2 MBUS Set AR-15/M16 FOLDING POLYMER SIGHT SET A.R.M.S.,INC - AR-12/M16 #41-BL SILHOUETTE FOLDING FRONT SIGHT Daniel Defense - Fixed Backup Sights BROWNELLS - CAR-15/M4 FLIP-UP TACTICAL SIGHT SETS XS Sight Systems - XTI XPress Threat Interdiction Sights DUECK DEFENSE - AR-15/M16 RAPID TRANSITION SIGHTS Sight in your AR Zeroing Targets 25 METER ZEROING TARGET Listener Feedback: Cian (said like Key-inn. It's a guy's name by the way!):   I'm listening from Ireland and loving the show. As you may know there's not much in the way of firearms over here so I've had to check out the rifle podcasts from across the pond and yours is by far the best I've listened to. Great work! I come from a family of deer and game hunters so I get plenty of opportunities to shoot bolt action rifles and shotguns. (Semi-autos are illegal here) We just had our annual family clay pigeon shoot, which is such a good way to get everyone together every year. Used safely, guns can be such a great way to have fun. Too bad the law here means I can't get myself some AR-15 bits to make my own build. (If you have an AR here then you probably know a lot of people from up north!) But if I ever move to the states an AR will be something I'll have to do. Jeremy:  Reed quick question for the ar15 podcast.  I am looking at a regular iron sight. I am a righty but am trying to avoid the knuckle rackers(The two large easy screws attached to the mountable iron) when pulling the charging handle to the rear. http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=20_34&products_id=261 My question to you or Reed is, Do you think they reverse elevation and windage on this? James:   Hey guys...great shows..all of them ..i am looking for some good books on the AR platform simple user guides understanding as well as teardown and build up\'s any recomendations would be great thanks again for all of the great programming Gunsmithing - The AR-15 Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Volume IV The Gun Digest Book of The AR-15 Volume 3 Geoff:  One thing surprises me about you colonial cousins, you shoot a heck of a lot, but fewer of you (a smaller percentage) seem to reload than over here in the UK. Our shooting club (5 miles from Liverpool)  has about 185 members and 95% of them reload. Of those who don't, they'll have friends reloading for them. We do still use a fair bit of inexpensive commercial 308, 30-06, 223, etc., but almost everyone reloads pistol-calibre ammo. I guess many more US shooters are starting to reload now, with the current ammo shortage. I reckon that 50% of our club's shooters also cast their own bullets for handgun-calibres and I also cast for bottle-neck reloads too. Gas checked bullets in my 308 or 303 are just as much fun to shoot out to 200 yards - and a heck of a lot cheaper! So here's a question for you and your AR15 podcast co-presenters: I reckon gas-checked hard cast bullets would be just great in a 300AAC Blackout or 7.62x39 AR15 - do you have any experience with cast bullets in this platform? And if not, when are you going to give it a go! Outro: feedback@ar15podcast.com

Steve and Jake talk about one of the best options for law enforcement, the AR-15 Patrol rifle.   Welcome to episode #12 of the AR15 Podcast. I’m your host Jake Challand along with Steve Remy your friendly Texas Law enforcement agent from Gun Guy ...