D9Firearms

Over the last few months when advertising our D9Firearms customized DPMS LR-308B we received multiple inquires from our clients interested in a DPMS LR-308 with a 20” SST bull barrel.   After a few requests we decided to investigate some possible options and consulted one of our good friends, who is an Army Ranger, whom we will refer to as Tool, on some possible barrel makers and features.

Tool immediately suggested White Oak Armament (WOA), so we decided to give them a call.  We spoke with John, who is extremely knowledgeable and took the time to explain several issues and give me some ideas and issues to consider when designing a barrel for a semi-commercial purpose.

Basing some of my design criteria on the Army’s M24 sniper rifle, which Tool provided us with (no they weren’t Army secrets otherwise I would had to take him out), I wanted to go with the 11.5 the same as the M24, but after speaking with John, cost and practicality dictated I went with a 1-11 twist rate.  (After doing some more research the .5” extra twist rate would not add any value or performance other than saying “I have an 11.5 twist rate and you don’t”.) (Just like the Army to come up with something like that.)

I put together a sketch ran it by Tool and then called John to finalize it.  John gave me a few more things to consider before finalizing the design.  The issues I was struggling with were the benefits of fluting and which barrel manufacturer to use.

With fluting, the question is there any noticeable performance benefits or degradation?  After reading several articles from engineers, barrel makers, and shooters I determined that fluting is more for ascetics on certain configurations and weight reduction on others; however none suggested degradation of the barrel or accuracy.

Since our barrel is going to have a .980”dia on the main body and necked down to a .920 on the fore end, we would have had to cut deep flutes in the main body to achieve any significant weight reduction, which John did not recommend.  So I opted for shallow fluting on the fore end of the barrel primarily for ascetics.  (I think it looks cool and personally I am willing to pay a few extra dollars, and no I don’t have spinners on my rims or a grill when I smile, a little urban lingo there.)

The final issue was selecting a barrel blank.  Depending on whom you speak with and what you read, you will get a full spectrum of opinions, which were all free.  After consulting Tool and John again, I evaluated from cost, quality, commercial considerations, and results John had with these manufacturers.

Our goal was to stay in the mid to high quality without overpricing ourselves.  The choices from the low end up were:

-                  Wilson

-                  Shilen

-                  Pac Nor

-                  Kreiger

-                  Mike Rock

The spread was about $150 difference from the Wilson to Mike Rock.

Mike Rock is a name known to more of the industrial shooters such as our good friend Tool.  Wilson would be a good choice if I decided to go for a more competitively priced rifle, but since I am risking putting my name on the product, standing behind the work, and my capital expense to develop and build five of these, I decided to go with what the heavy hitters prefer and went with Mike Rock blanks.

One difference on the blanks I chose from Mike Rock is that those blanks will be a cut rifled barrel and not buttoned rifle.  The difference is that the rifle cut barrels require more time, precision, and are not as much of a production style operation where as the button rifled barrels are.  (I could use this as marketing hype but in the end either process using a precision barrel maker will provide repeatable 3^rd eye style results on any insurgent’s forehead.)

To finish off our barrels, John will head space and gauge our barrels to the bolts I shipped to him to insure all tolerances are met.

The final specs on our barrels are:

-                  Mike Rock blank - 20” SST bull barrel.

-                  Gas port based on the AR10 at 11.6”.

-                  Fore end fluting.

-                  Threaded barrel.

Since we’ve been doing this for quite some time we have no reservations standing behind our work, since it won’t be warranted by DPMS.  However, we know what a manufacturing defect is and will offer basically the same warranty.  If you abuse this, put hot loads through it, or use it for any other operation other then its intended purpose, you own the rifle.

However, treated properly this rifle will last you a lifetime and deliver precession results expected of any bolt gun with the added benefit of immediate follow up shots in the event there are multiple targets.  This rifle will be the epitome of the Marine Corps motto;  “One Shot, One Kill”.   (Even though we used some of the Army’s data.)

The final stage of this process is customizing the remaining features on the rifle.  Some possible configurations:  (All standard parts including receivers, springs & detent pins will be factory new DPMS parts.)

The base rifle will include:

-                  DPMS Lower receiver assembly

-                  Mike Rock barrel

-                  Double rifle case

-                  Two 20 round magazines, & cleaning kit

-                  Shipping

-                  Everything else will be a la carte

-                  $1300

Stocks:

-                  ACE SOCOM AP4 ($185)

-                  Magpul PRS ($225)

-                  CAA 6 Pos Collapsible ($50)

-                  Standard A2 fixed stock ($50)

Hand Guards:

-                  DPMS extended 4 rail ($180)

-                  Badger Ordnance Stabilizer hand guard ($180)

-                  JP rifles Vtac extended ($170)

-                  Daniel Defense 4 rail ($389)

-                  DPMS Round Aluminum ($60)

Gas Blocks:

-                  Koelbl ($35)

-                  JP adjustable ($80)

-                  CMMG micro ($60)

Flash Hiders:

-                  Panther flash hider ($40)

-                  Miculek compensator ($60)

-                  Others are available upon request

Grips:

-                  CAA G-27 ($30)

-                  Hogue ($22)

-                  Panther tactical ($35)

Triggers:

-                  JP Adjustable w/speed hammer ($185)

-                  Rock River 2 stage National Match ($120)

-                  Jewel 2 stage Adjustable ($225)

-                  Timney single stage ($220)

Miscellaneous:

-                  Tactical bolt release ($20)

-                  Tactical safety ($25)

-                  Ambi safety ($35)

-                  Tactical mag release ($20)

-                  Anti-walk trigger pins ($10)

Upper Receiver:

-                  DPMS Slick Side ($390)

-                  DPMS A3 Flat top ($440)

-                  (Both include chrome bolt carrier, bolt, charging handle, tactical carrier release)

Optics:

-                  IOR Valdada

-                  Night Force

-                  Horus Vision

-                  Your choice

If you are interested in purchasing one of these rifles please contact us here at D9Firearms.  We will have 4 of these available (I have to have one) late July.

Thanks

DPMS has delivered several rifles over the last two weeks.  Looks like progress is being made.  We currently have the following rifles available:

DPMS Rifles:
1 - LR-260 24″ SST Bull (factory standard)  $1025

2 - LR-308 24″ SST Bull w/threaded barrel & Miculek $1125

1 - LR-243H 20″ Heavy w/fluted barrel & Miculek  $1140

2 - LR-308AP4 16″ (factory standard)  $1050

2 - LR-308AP4 16″ w/carbine length 4 rail $1210

4 - DPMS AR-15 stripped lower $115

4 - CMMG AR-15 stripped lower $115

Miscellaneous Rifles:
1- Remington SPS Varmint 22-250  $625

1 - Tikka T3 Varmint 308 $725

If your interested in a target or varmint rifle please contact us here at D9Firearms if we don’t have it we probably have it on order.

Thanks

This week I was finally able to get to the range to test out our own Horus Vision Hawk 3-12×50 optics. (However, I had to remove a ceiling fan & dining room light fixture and install new ones prior to receiving a get out of work pass from Mrs. D9. So I invited some of my local friends from the KCMOFD and my BMCD colleagues for a little range time.

I mounted the Hawks on my Tikka 595, 22-250 and my Remington 700 .223 VSF both varmint vaporizors. After my first review of the scopes I thought these two rifles would be an excellent choice to try them out on. I suspect the third one will be mounted on my Remington 700 .243 VLS. Now, most of you know I’m a big IOR advocate and still am, but they are not an end all means for every rifle or shooter. Additionally, one of our goals is to provide solid recommendations in different price ranges.

For this test I just wanted to test clarity, focus, operation, eye relief and general quality when shooting 1” dots. Another benefit of this test was that it was conducted over a span of 2 ½ hours which took me well into dusk.

I started with the Remington 700 .223 VSF and took a few shots to dial it in. (I was also testing a few hand loads as well.) My impression on the range was the same as when I first looked at it, very clean and crisp optics. I tested it at several magnifications and again I settled in on the 7 – 9 power range. Since this is First Focal Plane (FFP) optics the reticule is proportional to the magnification.

After shooting the target for a while I started observing some of the benefits of the reticule, even without having read the instructions (Don’t tell Mrs. D9, because she accuses me of this all time, but I did look at the cool pictures in the manual.) At first it did seem a little busy but part of that is just getting acclimated and learning how to use it. It will take another range setting where I can stretch out to 300yd to test more of the reticules benefits. This test was more for sighting in and seeing if I liked the glass as much as the first time.

While I was testing the VSF, Eric one of the FD guys was testing the Tikka out and was totally impressed with the quality of the glass and really liked the reticule as well as the rifle. (He is in the market for a target rig and is considering the Tikka T3 tactical, so this worked out nicely for him to help test it out and give us his opinion.)

After shooting for a while I determined that my opinion of the glass did not change and decided it was time to read the instructions on how to use the reticule. After reading the instructions on how to properly sight in and use the reticule I was equally impressed at how amazingly simple scope is to use and understand (I guess that’s why they provided instructions).

Basically, you sight the rifle in at 100yd on 12x, they are very adamant about the exact distance and confirming the shot multiple times before confirming it’s sighted in. (Having known target loads helps.) Once it’s sighted at 100yd, the rest is up to the shooter and the reticule.

The reticule is in the shape of a Christmas tree, and is graded in mils, 1mil = 3.6” @ 100yd and has an “L” bracket reticule for range finding on the left hand side (horizontal and vertical range finding). They also provide some ballistic charts for common rounds to compensate for BDC & wind. Their software allows you to create you own custom ballistic charts as well.

Another benefit of this reticule is the ability for a follow up shot, which on a low recoil rifle or one of our D9 customized DPMS rifles with a compensator on it, (eliminates most muzzle lift and recoil for fast follow up shots) would be instantaneous. The key is seeing where the bullet impacts and knowing your aim point of the first shot, if the situation remains static it’s very easy to determine your aim point, your new aim point becomes the hack mark of where the bullet struck.

Like I said, at first it seems really busy, but once you understand the reticule system it’s very easy to range find and pick your shot. So from my perspective and opinion these scopes will remain on the rifles and will be put to more tests and will become a recommended optic.

If you’re interested in a Horus Vision Optic please contact us here at D9firearms.

Shown above is a modified LR-308C where we added standard extended length round aluminum hand guards, Miculek compensator, fluted barrel (20″ heavy), replaced the A2 post sight/gas block with a Koelbl gas block, Rock River 2 stage National Match, and CAA 6 position collapsible. We did two of these almost identically. These photo’s are compliments of Bendigo.

Photo above of Bendigo’s LR-308C accuracy results during break in period.

We currently have approximately 50+ rifles on order with DPMS in various configurations and calibers. However, with the back log at DPMS they are shipping us about 2 rifles every two weeks. There is no consistency as to what they will ship or when and generally by the time we are notified they are coming we have them sold.

We just received the following rifles from DPMS and one of our wholesalers:

2 - LR-260 24″ SST

3 - LR-308AP4 16″ AP4 barrel contour standard flash hider

1 - LR-308T 16″  heavy barrel contour standard flash hider

2 - LR-308AP4 16″ w/quad rail AP4 contour standard flash hider

The LR-AP4’s are excellent for 3 gun, coyote, deer, or general all around home, personal, car or any other type of defensive weapon. Add a Miculek and Rock River 2 stage NM and these dogs will bite.

This young man is an incredibly special guy who has just undergone several months in the hospital and I know we here at D9 had him in our prayers as well as everyone who knows and loves him. But his dad took James out and put him behind this D9 custom LR-308 rig and according to his dad there was a little hesitation on the first shot, but he was saddled up and ready for more as soon as the first one went down range. (Observe the smile. This is typical for all ages.)

I maintain a running spreadsheet with all the order numbers, dates, and rifle specs so we can keep you up to date as to when we may expect them and what we have on order. Although it is a guess, we have cut the lead time for our rifles and configurations for most of our clients by 50% or more by ordering a couple of rifles every 2 – 3 weeks. By doing this our orders are smaller and easier to fill since it’s only 2 or 3 of a specific configuration.

Additionally, on the spreadsheet, I have tabulated several columns to identify any after market upgrades that you may select, and again keep constant orders going to these vendors.

Currently we are struggling to get Magpul PRS and CAA SRS stocks and have at least 5 of each on order. Triggers (JP, Timney, JARD, RR) are readily available, but still keep a few on hand at all times. We also added new hand guards to our line up to include: Daniel Defense (there is a reason why these cost $400), JP Vtac, Badger Ordnance stabilizer (these are slick as well).

This is a shot from one of our good friends Brandon, of him shooting his LR-308B w/threaded/fluted/Miculek, JP trigger assembly, Magpul PRS, carbine length 4 rail, obviously preparing for any contingency of potential threats.

So if you’re looking for a D9Firearms customized DPMS or standard DPMS LR configuration we probably have it on hand or on order. We can also provide you with the date, order number, and price so you can make a decision if you want to wait or buy one that is immediately available from another source. (We would prefer you wait and buy from us and get a customized range ready smokin rifle from us, but we understand and we can’t be all things to all people. But we will still gladly assist you in getting what you want.)

We will be publishing our design efforts and pricing on the D9Firearms LR-10 rifle. We will have 5 of these rifles available, (now actually 3) and have already contacted White Oak Armament to order more.

We have posted several items on our “For Sale” page. Watch for spring clearance specials on hand guns. Call or email all offers will be entertained.

Over the past three months we’ve rebuilt our work shop and added more tools, capabilities, work space, and created a more functional work area. One of our good friend’s, who is a very skilled carpenter, helped us build our shop or as I like to call it the “bunker”. (Testosterone hangs in the air like a cigarette smoke filled bar room.) Currently I’m about 90% complete and plan to add some more storage and shelves to complete the project.

I went with a dedicated project workstation approach for each of our specialties we currently offer: precision hand loading and development (precession and custom), custom production loading & preparation, rifle & general work area, optics and pistol, and staging/completion. Each station is outfitted with all the necessary tools for that work area. This approach added a little cost in having to get some redundant tools, but is still beneficial in the event one is broken.

The precision hand loading station is setup with a single stage press, Lyman electronic scales, swagger, and other necessary tools. We will use this station to develop precision loads and our custom production loads.

Shown above and to the left is the precision reloading table and off to the right is our custom production station.

The second workstation is setup with a new Dillon 650 press (these kick ass) for manufacturing our custom hand loads. I’ve added a powder charge die to prevent any low or high powder charges. Additionally, we perform a live fire test sample from each batch prior to releasing for sale. We keep a limited supply of powder, primers, brass, and bullets on hand, and generally try and buy in bulk to help keep cost down.

Shown above is our custom production workstation. On the right is the 650 and left is the 550. We will add the third press on the far right later this year. We installed lighting over each bench and a magnifying light for close inspection of smaller parts.

We converted our existing 550 into a case preparation, de-priming, and sizing station. I left one position open to add another 650 later this year which will be set up for pistol loads. Our goal is to have available on a per order bases a quasi match grade production round that consistently delivers sub-MOA accuracy and cost less then most commercial grade ammo. We will have a minimum order of 100 rounds for rifle & 200 for pistol.

Since we have primarily been customizing AR style rifles, I setup a workstation with a drill press, vices, grinders, socket set, screw drivers, hex wrenches, AR wrenches and the likes. We do work on other rifles like installing triggers in bolt guns and various things so it was designed for that as well. We are also increasing our library with new gun-smithing, take-down/assembly, gun digest, and other related books to increase our scope of services. Currently we only work on firearms which we own and use. We plan to expand to other models as our expertise grows.

Shown above is our AR/Rifle workstation. I positioned everything so tools are easily accessible, within reach,

We routinely provide mounting, aligning, and bore sighting of optics and decided a dedicated workstation was required. We have our padded bench rest and all the necessary leveling and aligning tools we need. Additionally we have standardized on and stock Warne rings. We still have to wait until dark to get the laser bore sight test in so as not to intimidate our week kneed neighbors.

The pistol workstation is integrated with the optics since they both require a padded area. Currently we primarily work on Glocks with trigger installs and other upgrades and have been installing after market sights on various pistols as well. We plan to expand this to other manufacturers and revolvers as well.

Shown above: Pistol/optics workstaion.

Shown above is our order staging area. Since some rifles can’t all be completed we keep all associated parts in parts pins and use them when pulling parts for the rifle.

So it has been pretty exciting growing a passion into a business the old fashion way, hard work, quality products and service, and most important of all an excellent cliental of like minded bitter gun toting people who cling to religion (Thanks Obama – we wear that moniker with a deep sense of pride knowing we don’t need people like you). We appreciate your business and look forward to offering more services and products as we grow (or until the commie libs try and stop us.)

Our upcoming summer projects:

1. .308 Win. Custom hand load for big game hunting.

2. .260 Rem. Custom hand load for the DPMS LR-260. (Target & game load.)

3. .243 Win. Custom hand load for the LR-243 and Remington 700 VLS. (Target & game load)

4. .223 Win. Custom hand load for 1-9 twist barrels.

5. Release of D9Firearms custom .308 rifle built on DPMS LR receivers with a customized Mike Rock barrel by White Oak Armament. (We are really excited about this and will have a detailed design write up this soon. Can’t you smell the testosterone?)

Recently we had a client interested in the Horus Vision optic, which we have also mentioned in the past as an optic we would be interested in testing. Unfortunately we didn’t have any information to offer our client Mike, since we’ve never seen or used one, so we decided to give Horus a call and ask some questions.

I had some general questions about glass quality, reliability, warranty, dealer pricing, and return policy if we get one in and just find it an unacceptable scope for the money. The representative provided reasonable answers to all the questions, (although she did say the glass was commensurate with Schmidt & Bender, which seemed a little over the top) and I decided to get 3 of them in to meet the dealer requirements.

Like us here at D9, one of Mike’s concerns was value, he really liked the reticule, but if the glass was less then desirable, there’s not much value in it. The optic retails for $500, which puts it in the mid-range pricing of the most common retail optics. And with buying a scope sight unseen and not seeing very many reviews on-line about the scope, skepticism was in the forefront of both of our thoughts.

However, before I provide my opinion and as I told Mike I am very partial to IOR Valdada optics and for clarification to my readers I will make the following disclaimer:

We are a dealer direct buyer/seller for the following optics:

· IOR Valdada

· Night Force

· Horus Vision

Since we try and provide an honest critique of the products we use and recommend I feel it’s valuable for you to know where we stand. Additionally, we personally own/use IOR Valdada optics and have for 3 at least years. We do not own NF and have no plans to replace the test model we sold. We now own and use Horus. We also own Sightron & Zeiss. In the past we have used Burris, Bushnell, and Nikon extensively and find their products to be commensurate with their pricing. Our goal though is to provide an honest evaluation that may help you make a better decision on your optics choice.

Remember: “You pay for what you get”. (This review is free.)

As part of our test I set it side by side other optics of the same or higher quality (traditionally speaking) that we had on hand. Some of the criteria we look at when reviewing optics are:

· Clarity

· Sharpness throughout the entire sight picture including the edges.

· Moving parts functionality.

· Reticule

Review of the Horus Vision Hawk 3-12×50:

My first impression of the Horus Vision optic after taking it out of the box was:

· 30mm tube.

· Diaopter adjustment for eye relief (focus, similar to IOR).

· Locking screw for the reticule (similar to IOR, shown below).

· Solid heavy feel to the scope.

· Eyepiece very similar to Zeiss. (shown below)

· No parallax adjustment (on a low power optic this is generally not required).

· Made in Japan.

· Audible clicks and 1/10 mil.

· Cool reticule

Shown above Sightron 4-16×44.  Very clean, crisp, and bright optic.  Excellent varmint scope.

Shown above:  IOR Valdada 2-12-32 illuminated.  Picture of bottom view to illustrate the magnum lock for the reticule.

Shown above:  Zeiss 3-9×40.  Close up of eyepiece.

Shown above:  IOR Valdada.  Notice the eyepiece adjustment for eye relief.

My next observation was taking looking through the optic and immediately recognizing crisp, clear, and bright optics. I then took it outside (8:15pm CST) and tested the various magnifications and focus. I can say I was very impressed. The glass reminded me instantaneously of the Sightron & NF glass in the brightness and clarity. (I’ll cover more on this below.)

After looking it over and through it for a few minutes I was very impressed. I then started thumbing through the manual and literature that was sent with the scope and started doing some on-line searches of Japan Optics, Ltd. (JOL), the company that builds the scope for Horus Vision.

What I found is that JOL manufacturers optics for several companies. An interesting point that was made in one article, that although JOL makes optics for several people, they make them to the specs of the designer, in this case Horus. (This is true in refrigerators, electronics, and a whole host of common products we use every day.) So you may find one brand less or better then another they manufacturer each catering to a specific market and price range.

So I put it down until the next morning and took it back out around 6:30AM, actually by that time there was lighter then what I wanted. I took it out again about 5PM in bright sun light, facing indirectly into the sun and was looking at houses with white or very light colored paint. This was to test if the brightness of the scope would be too much. I compared this with the IOR since it has a slightly darker sight picture. (Since I shoot white targets this is very nice. On the NF I found it to much.)

I then started checking out the zoom and the reticule. This has a first focal plane (FFP) reticule which causes the reticule to increase with the magnification from small to large when zooming in from 3-12. One observation was on low power the reticule was very small and difficult to see the numbering but the reticule visible. However, later that evening on 3x it was difficult to see the reticule.

After some more testing I kept finding myself settling in the 5 – 8x range while spotting items in the 250 – 450yd range. Even in the lower light the 5 – 8x range seemed optimal. This is commensurate with what I have found with the IOR & Zeiss optics. This is consistent with your higher end optics not requiring high magnification.

I sent Mike a couple of emails on what my observations were and he was getting enthused about it as well without seeing it. He made the decision to go ahead and have me mount it to his rifle. A few days later I took it out about 9PM to bore sight it and was just as impressed as I was during the day light, with the exception of non-illuminated reticule, but spotting a laser dot at 400yds was no problem at night.

One issue I hope they work to resolve would be the warranty which is only 1 year. I suspect this is because they are subcontracting the scope and they specialize in the reticule. So I wouldn’t treat this scope like I would my IOR but I wouldn’t be concerned about standard and even some abnormal abuse or a high recoil.

So overall my opinion of the Horus Vision 3-12×50 Hawk is very positive and would definitely recommend this optic and found it to be an excellent value. I feel the glass quality and clarity is above most common retail optics in this price range.

If you have any questions or are interested in a Horus Vision Optic please contact us here at D9Firearms.

Thanks