.22LR AR w/ Blackthorne Upper range report

[B yond]

So I took my new toy to the range today.

The specs:
-Blackthorne Products .22LR 16" barrel w/quad rail gas block and A3 upper - $350
-Stag-15 lower -$175
-DPMS Parts Kit
-6-position stock
-Tasco 3-9x40 scope
-Cheapo bipod I had laying around

The pic:


The report:
I couldn't be happier with this gun's first outing. Took me about 20 rounds to sight it in, then I was getting about 4 MOA. I'm pretty sure the gun can do better than that, but I need some more practice with it and a trigger job would be a big help.

I was shooting on a 100 yd range from a bench with a bipod, and I wasn't taking my time with my shots like i could have, mostly I was just trying to get the gun to malfunction. That didn't really happen.

It shot best with mini-mags and velocitor. It had no problems with any other high velocity ammo except for a few round of blazer that were out-of-spec and didn't feed all the way without assistance.

I tried to find some ammo it wouldn't cycle and it was CCI CB long. They chambered and fired just fine but wouldn't eject or cycle the action. Subsonics were not a problem and functioned just fine.

I fired a couple hundred rounds of various ammos and the gun ran fine. The action stayed remarkably clean too.

No problems to report, and I'm very happy with my first build.

[tempdrummer]

So I took my new toy to the range today.

The specs:
-Blackthorne Products .22LR 16" barrel w/quad rail gas block and A3 upper - $350
-Stag-15 lower -$175
-DPMS Parts Kit
-6-position stock
-Tasco 3-9x40 scope
-Cheapo bipod I had laying around

The pic:


The report:
I couldn't be happier with this gun's first outing. Took me about 20 rounds to sight it in, then I was getting about 4 MOA. I'm pretty sure the gun can do better than that, but I need some more practice with it and a trigger job would be a big help.

I was shooting on a 100 yd range from a bench with a bipod, and I wasn't taking my time with my shots like i could have, mostly I was just trying to get the gun to malfunction. That didn't really happen.

It shot best with mini-mags and velocitor. It had no problems with any other high velocity ammo except for a few round of blazer that were out-of-spec and didn't feed all the way without assistance.

I tried to find some ammo it wouldn't cycle and it was CCI CB long. They chambered and fired just fine but wouldn't eject or cycle the action. Subsonics were not a problem and functioned just fine.

I fired a couple hundred rounds of various ammos and the gun ran fine. The action stayed remarkably clean too.

No problems to report, and I'm very happy with my first build.

Exactly what other high velocity ammo did it work with?

[lugee]

Exactly what other high velocity ammo did it work with?

That is something I am interested in too.

[B yond]

Ammo I tried:

CCI Mini Mag
CCI Velocitor
CCI Stinger
American Eagle
Blazer
CCI Subsonic
CCI CB Long

It ate everything except a few (like 3) warped Blazer rounds (which shot but wouldn't feed/eject properly) and CB long, which shot but wouldn't eject or cycle.

I'm probably going to be shooting American Eagle through it most of the time to save $, but I got the best grouping from Velocitor.

[migz]

where did you get the upper?

[B yond]

http://akpartskits.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=505&zenid=a5824e03f1276da3dee602ff150e73c8

[migz]

cool- I just ordered the flat top upper

[Jel]

Cool! Thanks for the range report. I'm considering a .22 build and this helps out with my research. I'm leaning towards a dedicated lower and a true .22LR upper as opposed to a purpose built like the S&W or the Colt. Not sure I like the fact that they are mostly polymer.

How is the fit and finish on that upper considering the info from their website. "The barrel is mounted on a polymer A3 upper receiver".


Thanks!

[B yond]

Cool! Thanks for the range report. I'm considering a .22 build and this helps out with my research. I'm leaning towards a dedicated lower and a true .22LR upper as opposed to a purpose built like the S&W or the Colt. Not sure I like the fact that they are mostly polymer.

How is the fit and finish on that upper considering the info from their website. "The barrel is mounted on a polymer A3 upper receiver".


Thanks!

It was a PITA getting the upper on the lower the first few times. The rear pin didn't want to go in straight. It's been getting easier every time I do it, so I don't think this will be an issue for long. Probably just a tight hole on the upper that needed some break-in.

As for the finish; no complaints. You can't tell it's plastic until you touch it. It matches my lower's finish just fine.

The way this system works the bolt moves within the bolt carrier, but the bolt carrier stays stationary (or so it appears). I think this cuts down on wear on the upper.

Personally I have no problem with polymer guns, so this wasn't an issue for me. I shoot polymer-framed pistols and have a .223 keltec su-16 that's 90% plastic and has never given me problems.