My M4-Based SBR Build: On Hold Indefinitely

A couple of people have been following and asking about the status of my M4 Rifle build, hence I have decided to give this update. As of this writing, I have put my M4 Rifle build on indefinite hold, mainly because of problems acquiring the two most critical parts of the rifle: The bare Lower Receiver, and the Barrel.

I was set to get these two items from Twin Pines, as they were offering the cheapest price for them that I know of (brand new, anyway). Their casted, bare Lower Receiver costs only Php 15,000 (approximately Usd 365), while their 7.5" barrel made by Dassan of South Korea costs only Php 9,000 (approximately Usd 220).

Initially, they told me that to get these two items, I would only need licensing requirements for a High Powered Rifle (HPR), plus licensing fee of Php 7,500 (approximately Usd 180). So a couple of months ago, I prepared the requirements (National Bureau of Investigation Clearance, which I fortunately had one ready at that time, Proof of Employment as Overseas Filipino Worker, etc.), and the funds, and proceeded to get the items from them.

My Review of the Burris Fast Fire 3 Part Three

'Batteries, and Battery Life'
One problem with these Reflex Sights as opposed to iron sights is that they use batteries, which are consumable, and therefore have limited lifespans. Since I bought the unit in May 2012, I have had two battery changes already. The first battery change came a month after I bought it. I think the reason why the battery life was so short, was because the battery that came with the unit was the generic, unmarked made-in-china type of battery.

The battery needed for the unit was the CR1632, and after the generic china battery, I bought a branded Panasonic battery for the unit for P50 each at one of the kiosks in the malls specializing in batteries. The Panasonic battery lasted about 5 months of fairly heavy use, until it gave out last week (October 2012). 

Generic CR1632 battery on the left, compared with the Panasonic version

Lone Wolf Glock 22 Barrel Chamber Reaming

'Reaming the Chamber of My Lone Wolf Barrel'
I detailed my problems with using reloads on my Lone Wolf barrels in an earlier blog, ("The Truth About Lone Wolf Barrels for Glock"), and it took me awhile to correct the problem mainly because I had a bit of trouble finding a local Gunsmith who could do it. I went to four different Gunsmiths, and only one was able to do it.

To correct the issue, what needed to be done was to ream to widen the chamber of the barrel to approximate the dimensions of the stock Glock barrels as Lone Wolf barrels have smaller chamber dimensions. The smaller dimensions result in Failure To Feed (FTF) issues when using reloads that would otherwise function perfectly with stock Glock barrels.

Of the three who weren't able to do it (which shall remain unnamed as of now), one said there is no need for it as the barrel would widen up on its own (but after a couple of hundred rounds, that didn't happen); Another didn't even know that such procedure could be done; And the third was hesitant to do it, saying the chamber might become oversized. Seeing that they did not have the experience to do the job, I just decided not to let them do it.

My M4-Based SBR Build: Sighting System

The third assembly or system I have completed on my M4-Based SBR build is the sighting system. Rifles will be largely useless without a sighting system, and I have chosen to use an Optic sight for my main sighting system, and Iron Sights as back up. 

Total price was at Php 12,154 (approximately Usd 289), which I think is just about the same in the US, based on the prices of similar items that I have looked at in the internet being sold there.

‘Parts Breakdown and Details'
Here is a breakdown of the parts of the system, and posted alongside each are the prices and where I bought them (note that all the prices included Shipping Costs wherever they apply. If the parts came with multiple shipments, I just divided the Shipping Costs with the number of items that arrived):
- Burris Fast Fire 2 Reflex Sight, P 6,000 (Online, Philippine Pistol Forum)
- Picatinny Protector for Fast Fire 2 Matte Black, P 4,202 (Online, Ebay.ph -from US location)
- 45 Degree Offset Back Up Iron Sights, P 1,952 (Online, Ebay.ph - from US location)

My M4-Based SBR Build: Upper Receiver Assembly

I have completed the second assembly for my M4-Based SBR build, and it is the Upper Receiver Assembly. Total price was at Php 22,466 (approximately Usd 535). Again, by US standards, it is shockingly expensive, as it is almost the price of some basic M4 Rifles I have seen on US websites. 

But that is life here in the Philippines, where owning firearms is not a right but a privillege, meaning only those who can afford can legally get one.

‘Parts Breakdown and Details'
Here is a breakdown of the parts of the assembly, and posted alongside each are the prices and where I bought them (note that all the prices included Shipping Costs wherever they apply. If the parts came with multiple shipments, I just divided the Shipping Costs with the number of items that arrived):
- Elisco Bolt Carrier Group (BCG), Php 6,800 (Online, Philippine Pistol Forum)
- Rock Island Armory M16 Upper Receiver, Php 12,000 (Twin Pines MCS)
- Ejection Port Cover Assembly, Php 1,100 (Final Option SM Megamall Gun Show)
- Forward Assist Assembly with Round Handle and Roll Pin, Php 916 (Online, Ebay.ph from US location)
- Charging Handle Assembly with Tactical Latch 1, Php 1,650 (Online, Ebay.ph from US location)

My Review of the Pachmayr Tactical Grip Glove for Full-Sized Glocks

I was thinking of trying out some of those Rubber Decal Grip Stickers on my Glock 22, but then I noticed that Rubber Slip-On Grips more or less accomplish the same thing. Because of this, I decided to try one out instead. 

'Slip-On Grip Choices'
When it comes to these rubber slip-on grips, there are basically only two major brands for it: Hogue, and Pachmayr. I chose the Pachmayr over the Hogue mainly because of the type of rubber used. These two manufacturers use different types of rubber raw materials and/or blends, and their grips end up with slightly different properties.

Hogue has this sort of "wet" type of rubber that tends to stick into your hands better, but feels a bit messy or "juicy" to me. I got to handle one a lot before on my father's 1911, and I didn't like it very much. Pachmayr, on the other hand, uses a "drier" type of rubber that doesn't stick to your hand as much, which for me is better.

My M4-Based SBR Build: Buttstock Assembly

I have completed the first assembly for my M4-Based SBR build, and it is the Buttstock Assembly. Total price was at P6,547 (approximately USD 152). By US standards, it is shockingly expensive, as I have seen similar assemblies on Amazon sellling for only USD 50 in the US. I was initially thinking of getting a Magpul CTR Stock, but prices of such stocks in Philippine Gun Stores are insane, and I had problems finding an original one from a source that would ship to the Philippines.

The M4 Standard Stock showing the individual parts of the assembly


The M4 Standard Stock with all the individual parts assembled


Even if I could find one, the prices online, while much lower than the insane prices from the Gun Stores, still would've been much more expensive than the Standard M4 Stock. I also thought that in terms of looks, I think the Standard M4 Stock is better than the Magpul CTR as it is sleeker in appearance.

I could've bought these Standard M4 Stocks for much cheaper prices from some Chinese websites, but by the time I "discovered" them, I had already bought most of the items. Besides, I had excess parts from my Glock Machine Pistol build in form of the Tapco Rubber Pad and Buffer Tube, and didn't want them to go to waste, so I just decided to build around them instead.