M1Sales service and turn-around question

[interceptor]

Yeah, but we're not talking about an AR10 type chassis, are we? It may be a .30 cal to us, but it's an AR15 to them. Also they, by default, put the gas port in the carbine location but will drill it in the pistol location and I understand they will not assemble it in this configuration.

[mooster1223]

Originally Posted by interceptor

Yeah, but we're not talking about an AR10 type chassis, are we? It may be a .30 cal to us, but it's an AR15 to them. Also they, by default, put the gas port in the carbine location but will drill it in the pistol location and I understand they will not assemble it in this configuration.

Correct on all counts. They shipped me a box of parts.

[Fudmottin]

Point taken. The route I took involved purchasing an upper assembly, gas tube, bolt / carrier assembly, and float tube assembly (two piece) from DPMS. Then I sent the upper, float tube, and bolt (still waiting on the gas tube) to Paladin Machine to have the custom gas block and barrel installed. The bolt was simply supplied for head spacing. I got everything back as a fully assembled and tested upper.

This worked out very well for me. While my rifle is mostly DPMS parts, the few special bits make the whole quite special to me. I've even got my Internet nick stamped on the barrel.

I also assembled my lower from DPMS parts. The stripped receiver was purchased locally on a 4473. I opted for a Chip McCormick 3.5lb single stage trigger which is rather nice and doubled the cost of the lower. So I've got spare trigger bits from the parts kit. While it's a simple assembly job, it still has a bit of satisfaction associated with it. I can't mill my own receiver.

I didn't save any money over an off the shelf AR this way. But I didn't spend more than what they are going for either. At least not more than a high end brand. And the route I took gave me special appreciation for the AR design. I can switch between 223 and 300/221 simply by swapping uppers.

Now I'm researching the rather interesting challenge of doing an F1 can for less money than a commercial can without using expensive tools in its construction. Believe me. When you don't have a mill and lathe on hand, it is a challenge. If you have all the shop tools, there is no reason NOT to go F1 for a can.

[interceptor]

Depends on what your time is worth. I do have access to mill and lathe and I have still bought all of my cans and feel that I came out on the good end of the deal.

[Fudmottin]

There's a very good probability that I won't be able to produce an F1 can as good as a commercial can. Investing in the right tooling to be able to knock out a can an hour (or faster) would set me back more than the dozen or so cans I would have to make to break even. With a setup like that, it would be worth it for me to get an 07/02 FFL/SOT.

I spent a bit more than my firearms budget for my custom AR. I was doing fine until the song of the 300 Whisper lured me in. And I already have a pretty good 223 can from AWC.

I can still F4 a can. I've just decided to take on the challenge of seeing if I can do my own for less. Time vs money is a tricky calculation. Both are available in finite quantities. I guess its how you invest your time that counts. I know I prefer the shooting range or my motorcycle more than sitting in a cubical. And I really enjoy making things even though most of the things I've made have been virtual constructs.

[avnut]

Just a note on the M1S barrel.I ordered mine with threaded barrel and found the standard AR flashider WONT work.Threads are a different pitch.Std is 1/2x28 and the M1S 300 fireball has 1/2x36.

[Fudmottin]

Ouch. I hope they supplied a thread protector.

Most of the silencer companies will do other threads besides the 5/8-24 or M18 (metric) standards for .30 cal. So at least getting a can still shouldn't be an issue.

[mooster1223]

Originally Posted by avnut

Just a note on the M1S barrel.I ordered mine with threaded barrel and found the standard AR flashider WONT work.Threads are a different pitch.Std is 1/2x28 and the M1S 300 fireball has 1/2x36.

Can we all assume that you ordered a 300/221 barrel from them? If you did and you were expecting 1/2 28 then you are the EXACT reason that they do this. If they sent it out threaded 1/2 28 and you took your standard .22 can and threaded it on the end, bingo bango!!!

1/2 28 IS STANDARD for .22 cal.

[interceptor]

If it's 1/2x36 then I imagine it's real thin out on the muzzle, and not much of a crown either...

Maybe should have asked for 5/8x24 or 9/16x24 as they seem to be fairly standard .30 cal thread pitch.

[JimM44]

My M1S 300 barrel came in last week while I was out of town, ordered 2/21.

I got 16" threaded with low profile gas block. They told me when I ordered they didn't do the pistol gas hole that they received them with the hole already drilled.