Homebuilt AR (near zero recoil) varmint rifle

[holescreek]

Being the new kid on this block I figured I'd post one of the last AR builds completed this year. I have a fairly complete home machine shop which gives me the opportunity to pretty much make my own parts and I hate paying for anything I can make, even if it takes a fair amount of time. I wanted to try my hand at machining a forging so I picked one up from DSA and started figuring out how to jig it for the milling ops. Long story short, I got it done, then had to read up on home hard annodizing. Turned out to be really easy, especially since I planned on painting everything and didn't need to dye the aluminum.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/myARaction008.jpg

Once the lower was done I started searching for a stock that befitted all the work I just put into the lower. A friend dropped off a Magpul for me to look at and while it was kind of cool, I thought it was too pricey for a piece of plastic. I set back off to the drawing board and came up with a similar design which gave me more adjustability, plus added some super top secret changes which enabled me to set a goal of a zero recoil rifle.

A trip to the metal scrap yard netted me a fair sized chunk of 6061 T6 for about $12. I roughed the stock out on the bandsaw then set the stock up in the lathe to drill the buffer tube hole:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/stockdrill0002.jpg
I had to use the lathe in this unconventional setup because it was the only way I had available to drill such a long hole.

There are lots of photos of the process but I won't bore you with the details now. :sleepy: The final result:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/ARstock051109003.jpg

The super top secret part of the design required a standard CAR length buffer tube but in the standard A2 configuration. First I tried to shorten an aluminum tube which didn't work well at all so I ordered some 4130 tubing and barstock from an aircraft manufacturer and set off on making buffer tubes. There's a ton of work in making that silly part! The photo is of some standard length tubes I made (and sold), not of the shortened tube:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/ARbuffertubes006.jpg

I was discussing my plans with a friend and explaining the whole zero recoil idea to him when he asked me what type of muzzle brake I was going to use. I hadn't thought that far ahead! Now I had a varmint barreled upper I planned on using for this build, with a .920" barrel on it and no threads. So once again it was back to the drawing board. I was looking for an excuse to use my 4th axis on my homemade CNC mill so I came up with a design that arrainged the ports in a slight helix.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/AR062209002.jpg

Now if you have been trying to guess how much weight I've added to this gun I can tell you that the stock weighs about 3.5 pounds, the buffer tube weighs about 3.5X more than an aluminum A2 length tube, and the muzzle brake weighs a pound.

Then I came to the part of the build that I really enjoyed. I got to try my hand at using Duracoat. I found it really easy to use and nice to work with. I use it for a lot more than guns now!

The finished project:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/camping019.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/camping016.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/camping018.jpg

I have had it to the range a couple of times and am very satisfied with the recoil mods. The cross hairs stay on target and the legs on the bipod barely move. Now to find some groundhogs! -Mike

[Optimus Prime]

Put a can on there and it would be like shooting an air rifle...

[holescreek]

I have talked to some people about just that! I started looking into the process (paperwork) and just never followed through. I have always wanted to experiment with making my own baffles etc. Since this rifle was completed a few months ago I have been doing nearly 100% gun work for myself. Wife keeps bugging me to make some money with my hobby, I guess so it won't be fun anymore. I may have to look into whatever FFL will allow me to Duracoat for others. -Mike

[Buelligan]

Man that thing ROCKS , and the paint job is SWEET.:rockon:

[drine]

Nice job! Like the paint scheme.

[Optimus Prime]

Hell, if you're looking into manufacturer FFL's, you could just get the one to let you start making cans. TT's got one of those I think.

[Grasshopper]

William Snelling, from tanneryshop.com uses aluminum antenna tubing for his cans. What did you use, it liiks great!
Also, did you bevel the mag well also?
A common booboo is not beveling the mag well. I just hope when I do mine I don't forget like my buddy Bob did.:eek:

[mitchstoner]

Man, I am super impressed with your skill, and the results.

Gooood looking rifle!

[gtty]

Great Job there!

[Rocky]

A can will be no challenge to some one with your skills.

Rocky :rockon:

[holescreek]

I mostly finished one other AR project up after that one, I adapted a Remington 513T target .22 barrel to an SP1 upper for use with a home made CMMG conversion kit. Then I started machining another AR lower out of solid PVC to use for the .22 lower (haven't finished that one yet).
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/birthday021.jpg
Currently I'm machining a bending die for Cetme/HK91 flats. This is why I like winter in Ohio. As long as I have power in the shop the chips will keep me warm.:flamed:

The can thing has been in the back of my mind for a long time, purely as a personal challenge. I get asked to work on others guns a fair bit and turn them down. I just don't want to take on the risk without the license. -Mike

[turbothis]

looks very nice.:rockon:

[Phirebug]

Oh my God that's cool. Nice work!

[Schultz]

Very nice! I have a bare lower casting that i'm thinking of making into a 50 cal build(No magwell cutout).What did you do for a serial number?

[7.62guy]

my god man. nice set up with the lathe and all that. the ar looks fantastic. it almost makes me sick to look at my magpul stock. keep up the good work. my hats off to you. :thumbup: :rockon:

[holescreek]

What did you do for a serial number?

I programmed the text and serial number in on my CNC mill. Minimum serial number depth is .003" IIRC. For a serial number I just used my offocial build date and -1.

[Schultz]

Thats easy enough, Thanks.

[cz777]

words hell ,deeds and work done! great job!!:2pistol::rockon:

[nevada]

The ghost of John M Browning is alive and active. Praise be.

[kevin]

i like that stock, do you plan on making others? how about monopods, they are the most expensive of anything. Ive been wanting to get one for my magpul but they are nearly 100 dollars!

[holescreek]

Kevin,
I thought about the mono-pod thing when I asked my buddy why he had a pic rail under his magpul. I guess I just don't get why I'd need one. What I did do though was to add a kick stand in back tall enough to keep the buttstock and the pistol grip off the deck when it's not being fired.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Holescreek/Gunstuff/ARstock051109008.jpg

[kevin]

that is really nice. Do you plan to make any more stocks? I would think you could make ones and put 2 springs between the buttplate and rear of stock to absorb recoil on 50 bmg uppers and sell a ton of them.

[Smokehouse69]

A truly sweet build! You have a real talent and very good taste and design sense! :thumbup:

Check into an FFL07 so you can start making stuff for other folks! :rockon:

[kevin]

if your not making receiver parts or taking firearms into your possession no FFL is necessary