Service Rifle

[BJames]

I am building my first AR 15 as a CMP competition capable Service Rifle. I have an upper on order with White Oak Armament. I have not specified whether or not it will be post ban, or pre-ban. Since it takes months and months to fill an order they told me I had time to decide which version to get.





Can anyone tell me if both are legal in California at this point? Will any of the new laws affect that? My upper is due to be ready in November/December!

Also, is there a preference for performance/function?

Thanks!

[BrianRodela]

Both perform the same and the prebans supressor performance will not be noticeable other than a little louder to you. Both will be legal so long as your lower is a legal configuration and not on the list. Just my 2 cents, get the pinned rear sight, well worth it when you decide to put a lense in the rear apature. Stand by to be a little suprised about how heavy they are but the weight will help stablilize it in your offhand.

[BJames]

Both perform the same and the prebans supressor performance will not be noticeable other than a little louder to you. Both will be legal so long as your lower is a legal configuration and not on the list. Just my 2 cents, get the pinned rear sight, well worth it when you decide to put a lense in the rear apature. Stand by to be a little suprised about how heavy they are but the weight will help stablilize it in your offhand.

Thanks Brian!

I have been having a hard time getting answers. I did get the pinned rear sight.

Which do you have? Have you shot both? Do you recommend one over the other? Or, is it just a personal preference type of thing.

[BrianRodela]

I have shot both and perform equally well although the report of the preban was greater. The post ban configuration with the target crown directed more noise away. Muzzle rise was not significant enough to notice because the weight and its only a .223. Being a Wylde chamber, I had no issues shooting the Navy issued MK262 rounds and it performed very well. Good enough for me to go distinguished in 2 years. Finish is excellent and it already came mechanically zeroed at 100 yards; convenient as most of the ranges are that distance already and I just had to remember my Dope for the across the course matches. The post ban also doesn't have a bayonet lug on the front sight/gas block. Other than that, it's more personal preference. If you live close, let me know and we can get together so you can try it. Also, look into the Navy matches at Camp Pendleton next year around late April. Citizens are allowed to compete and we hold 2 EIC matches.

[highpower790]

Keep in mind ,that the flash hider will only draw unwanted attention.MY first lower had the flash hider just because i bought from a friend.The next 2 without the hider,and only being a .22 cal you wont notice any difference in noise,if you think you can hear a difference your attention is not focused on the front sight.

[BJames]

Keep in mind ,that the flash hider will only draw unwanted attention.MY first lower had the flash hider just because i bought from a friend.The next 2 without the hider,and only being a .22 cal you wont notice any difference in noise,if you think you can hear a difference your attention is not focused on the front sight.

Good point. My main concern was to be legal in this insane state. This is my first, so maybe this makes sense. I know this set up will outshoot me. I have never competed and I'm fairly new to shooting. I took it up to spend some more guy time with my son. After taking a CMP M1 Garand course we bought one an M1, but it kicks his shoulder around too much, so I thought the AR would be more to his liking.

Can't wait, but due to the craziness, I have to wait months and months for the upper! I have everything else ready to go.

Thanks again!

[highpower790]

BJames, my time away from work is nothing but highpower.ive have been tought for the last 19yrs by a great marine.i to0 started with a M1,and as the marine told me "just an expensive boat oar".lets talk sometime.im on the east side of San Francisco Bay. lots of shooting comp here,something available weekly.

[707electrician]

I don't know why the flash hider would draw any extra attention. That being said, I ordered my WOA barrel unthreaded because I think it looks cleaner.

Either one will be legal and neither one will shoot any different than the other

[SilentPea]

The only real difference is that the pre-ban rifles come with a flash hider on them which means you have to use a Bullet buttoned lower.

If you go post-ban you can drop it on a featureless setup and use a standard mag release and any of your legal 11+ round AR mags.

Of course you could easily do the same thing with the pre-ban, you'd just have take off the flash hider and either put on a thread protector or buy&install a non-flash hiding muzzle device.

[ocabj]

I have two WOA SR uppers. Both are configured "post-ban" with pinned rear sights.

The only reason I prefer no flash hider is because I just don't want an extra muzzle attachment when it doesn't assist in accuracy what so ever.

Back in the day, the A2 FH was a requirement under the NRA and CMP rulebook, but it's not now.

The A2 FH does have one benefit: inherent muzzle/crown protector. On occasion in prone, I'll hit the muzzle against the ground/dirt. Granted, the crown is recessed to protect the rifling from damage.

The one benefit of no FH is that it's one less thing to have to clean. I hate cleaning inside the FH.

[BJames]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll stick with the Post Ban model. Wish I didn't have to wait until November/December to get the upper.

One more question if I can still get some advice...

This is my first AR. Can I build this, or should I have a gunsmith do it because it's a competition rifle? Perhaps this should be a separate thread? I have a 2nd Lower I wanted to try building as I can get the parts together. Can I pull off a build on a Service Rifle on my first try?

[highpower790]

Bjames,
By all means build it your self,go slow,do it right the first time.For some of the assembly use a pillow case.Doing this you will avoid losing the springs.The upper itself containg float tube and barrel reaaly make the upper a "match"upper.In the lower its all in the trigger.For the trigger i recomend a Gieselle trigger ,they are pricey,but so much better than the rest.next best would be a Jewel trigger.

[ocabj]

As mentioned above, just put the lower together yourself. The hardest thing to install is the trigger, and even then, that's not that difficult. Just follow the instructions.

I will also recommend getting the Geissele. I've been running one since 2006 when I started shooting competitive HP. It is the best SR trigger.

I'm pretty sure USAMU switched to Geissele after Krieger-Milazzo triggers were no longer being made.

[highpower790]

Consider going to the Coalinga Reg the first weekend of Oct,then the Following week is the Creedmoor Cup in Phoenix Az,put your lower together and ill loan you a upper.