I recently assembled a Doublestar STAR-15 lower with a DPMS 6-position collapsible buttstock and an upper assembly from Del-Ton. The A2 upper came with a 16" Government profile chrome lined 1x7 twist barrel chambered in 5.56, CAR-length gas tube/handguards and forged front sight base.
This is my first experience with AR-type rifles, assuming we don't count the eight seconds I held an AR with a .50 Beowulf upper before reading the chambering and price tag.
I'm very happy with this thing so far, though I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet to ensure proper operation. The only functional problem I have is that the charging handle latch is a little small for my bear/ogre paws to actuate easily. The buttstock's nut was slightly scratched upon installation with what turned out to be a poor choice of tool, causing me to realize that I should be more careful.
Anyway, down to brass tacks.
A second slight mishap has occurred already. Basically a friend placed the weapon buttstock down on my bedroom floor, then leaned it toward the wall, accidentally calling upon the force of gravity to rotate the business end onto a small steel box I use for small parts and accessories.
The hard surface broke the momentum of gravity's pull on the weapon, but claimed as its price a large chip of teflon (or whatever coating it may be) that flaked off of the left front sight ear of the rifle.
No other damage occurred either to the rifle or to the friendship (I myself dropped my first SKS this same way TWICE the day I got it).
I know for a fact that I have read discussions on whether or not aluminum oxidation can be a problem with small scratches such as these, but for some reason try as I might I cannot find those threads. My limited metallurgy is mostly confined to the ferrous metals.
Im not too upset about it since the ear did what it was designed to do, keeping the front sight blade protected from damage. It doesn't look too bad anyway, just slightly more 'used' than it is. It is also not the only part of the rifle to have been slightly scratched due to malpractice.
What do y'all think? I've decided not to worry about it too much, and basically all I'm looking for here is people whose opinions warrant trust to tell me that I shouldn't worry. All other comments appreciated.
Ben
This is my first experience with AR-type rifles, assuming we don't count the eight seconds I held an AR with a .50 Beowulf upper before reading the chambering and price tag.
I'm very happy with this thing so far, though I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet to ensure proper operation. The only functional problem I have is that the charging handle latch is a little small for my bear/ogre paws to actuate easily. The buttstock's nut was slightly scratched upon installation with what turned out to be a poor choice of tool, causing me to realize that I should be more careful.
Anyway, down to brass tacks.
A second slight mishap has occurred already. Basically a friend placed the weapon buttstock down on my bedroom floor, then leaned it toward the wall, accidentally calling upon the force of gravity to rotate the business end onto a small steel box I use for small parts and accessories.
The hard surface broke the momentum of gravity's pull on the weapon, but claimed as its price a large chip of teflon (or whatever coating it may be) that flaked off of the left front sight ear of the rifle.
No other damage occurred either to the rifle or to the friendship (I myself dropped my first SKS this same way TWICE the day I got it).
I know for a fact that I have read discussions on whether or not aluminum oxidation can be a problem with small scratches such as these, but for some reason try as I might I cannot find those threads. My limited metallurgy is mostly confined to the ferrous metals.
Im not too upset about it since the ear did what it was designed to do, keeping the front sight blade protected from damage. It doesn't look too bad anyway, just slightly more 'used' than it is. It is also not the only part of the rifle to have been slightly scratched due to malpractice.
What do y'all think? I've decided not to worry about it too much, and basically all I'm looking for here is people whose opinions warrant trust to tell me that I shouldn't worry. All other comments appreciated.
Ben
