Aka what do you do with a pile of gun parts accumulated over 30 years working in the firearms industry?
This rifle is the amalgamation of years of accumulated gun parts gathered from projects while working in the firearms industry. It has become one of my favorite rifles to shoot at the range and this is the story of its creation, by tracing the projects that led to it.
Project 1
The rifle started out as a standard older Remington ADL that did not shoot very well. It was at the time owned by a good friend of mine. He wanted to re-barrel the rifle with a faster twist rate and chamber it for 5.56mmX54, instead of .223. The profile he desired was that of a 16.5” scout rifle with a scope mounted on the barrel and the addition of open sights to the rifle. We sat down together and designed the barrel contour and front sight to be used. The design would utilize an XS sights, Ghost Ring Aperture for the rear sight. There were not any commercially available front sights with protective wings at the time we were designing his rifle so we chose to use an M14 front sight mounted on a custom designed base.
My friend did the re-barreling, profiling, as well as machining the front sight base we designed. He used the original ADL stock and magazine set up. We took the rifle to shoot it and I fell in love. I told him if he ever decided to sell it, I wanted it. Years later it would be mine, but we are getting ahead of the story.
Project 2
SOCOM was looking to equip their troops with general issue suppressors. The design was to be light, short and very rugged. The gun they were to be mounted on was the new HK 416 rifle SOCOM was just starting to test.
Having been contracted by AAC to work on the suppressor for the FN SCAR, I was selected to look at ways to increase the durability of the suppressor design.
The SOCOM testing regime was extremely tough, and the submitted suppressors did not pass the first round. We changed the suppressor metallurgy, welding, mount design, flash hider design and finish to meet the requirements of the contract.
As part of my contract for engineering work, I typically request to have a sample of each design that goes into production. Thus, I ended up with the 416SD suppressor that I now use on many of my 5.56mm guns.
Project 3
Later, I was hired for some contract work for Remington thru AAC. AAC was looking to bring out a bolt action rifle in 300 Blackout. Since Remington had just acquired AAC, the new rifle’s action was naturally going to be a Remington. AAC wanted to have the new bolt gun fed utilizing an AICS .223 magazine. The design parameters dictated the bottom metal would fit into the standardized Badger Ordnance style of inletting. A McMillan Game Stalker stock was sent to me already inletted for Badger bottom metal. An AICS .223 magazine and Badger bottom metal was also procured and sent to me as reference material. I was then set loose to design a bottom metal system that fit into the existing inletting, and would be injection molded to keep cost down (this was many years before Magpul would bring out their design). The design I came up with had a push button magazine release and a bevel to aid in insertion. The design was 3D printed to tune the design for fit. Unfortunately it would never go into production.
Parts Become a Rifle
The day came that my friend called me up and asked if I wanted the Remington that we had worked on long ago? I jumped on it. Did not need the ADL stock, so I let him keep it. I used the McMillan stock and bedded the action and Badger bottom metal. Had a Badger scope base, 30mm rings, and bolt knob lying around so I used them.
Installed the suppressor mount on the rifle for the 416SD. I had a US Optics early SN4 scope that I got for free; because I was the first to order of five SN1 scopes, when US Optics was just starting out. The SN4 is a variable 1-4X with a circle dot reticle, not unlike the original AUG scope. Since the scope was not long eye relief, I mounted in the customary position for a rifle instead of at a scout rifle position.
The rifle is a fun plinking gun when you want a bit more range and power than 22LR. It is accurate with standard military 5.56mm making it cheap to shoot. The suppressor removes almost all the recoil and brings the sound down to hearing safe levels.
Mongo
“Shooting Guns & Having Fun”
works in the firearms industry on a contract basis. Previous employers
in the industry include Remington, AAC, CZ BRNO, Master Piece Arms,
and many others. The US military currently has a few of Mongo’s designs
in use today.
Current gun interests include collecting unique, controllable, light
machine guns and their accessories.
weaponblueprints.com
- What is it – Weird Optics From The Past - April 18, 2024
- Design Disaster – A Lesson in Firearms Engineering - November 2, 2023
- Mongo’s Spare Parts Rifle No. 2 - October 1, 2023
