The AR-15 is equally capable of chambering 300 Blackout and 9mm Parabellum. Both cartridges can function as supersonic and subsonic loads with short barrels. Both can be effectively suppressed when loaded as subs. Both provide similar AR configurations to accomplish this. So, 300 BLK is a pretty direct competitor to 9mm when it comes to…
You’ve heard the phrase way too many times now: “Mil-spec.” It’s mostly a buzzword but it still plays a role in actual rifle and pistol specifications. Most notably, buffer tubes. They’re officially called receiver extensions. But what’s the difference between a commercial and mil-spec tube? Are they interchangeable? And how does that work with a commercial…
6.5 Creedmoor has become a staple in the AR’s niche-caliber community. While it first started as a match load for long-range shooting in typical bolt guns, it’s earned favor as an alternative to the (what some call ‘archaic’) .308 Winchester that the AR platform was originally developed around. That’s right: The AR-10 came before the…
The AR-15 and AR-10 look identical in their designs, handling, and functions. They even look the same at a glance: Can’t tell the difference? You’re forgiven. The AR-15 and the AR-10 are almost the same rifle. They both use a direct-impingement gas system. Both have double-stacked box magazines. They share the same lower and upper…
If you’re building an AR-15 — or even just buying one — you’ve hit this fork in the road: Should you choose billet or forged upper and lower receivers? It’s a deceptively simple choice that can have a big impact on how your AR performs and how much it costs, and what parts you can…
One’s a bunch of slats, one’s a bunch of keyholes. Like the kind you’d find on those steel shelves in the garage. Which is better for all your accessories, optics, bipods, flashlights, and lasers? KeyMod or M-LOK? What are the differences? We’re breaking down both. We need to give a shout-out to The Broad Side self-defense…
Building an AR chambered in .308 is wildly popular, especially with the introduction of ready-to-fire uppers, 80% lowers chambered in .308, and complete build kits. But the original AR-10 has few to no aftermarket components for sale, prohibiting a custom build. This is not a concern with the introduction of the commercial LR-308 platform, designed by…
The AR-15 platform’s lower receiver is relatively standardized. Opportunity to customize your build truly begins with the stripped upper receiver, and the parts you install on it. This guide covers the various types of stripped uppers available for your build, the history of past receivers not frequently seen today in the market, and the various…
Building or modifying your 1911? This guide explains the three variants of this legendary handgun in relation to frame size: The full-size Government, the compact Commander, and the subcompact Officer. The Original 1911: Government (5″) Model The aptly-named Government 1911 profile is the original, full-size, steel-framed design submitted by Colt to the U.S. Army in…
Just as the differences between .223 and 5.56 NATO are hotly debated and shrouded in misinformation, the same applies to the world of the .300 family. The new and popular 300 Blackout round was officially developed by the Advanced Armament at the request of the U.S. Military, but the story of the 300 BLK round…
