D9Firearms

Several months ago we received an email from a private contractor serving in Afghanistan looking to procure a LR-308 AP4 upon his arrival back home, which we gladly obliged and procured. (We wished that we could have shipped it to him.) Well by accident I copied him in on an email over the weekend intended for another client, which in turn spurned a few emails back and forth between us.

I always admire the guys who do this kind of work and sometimes wish I hadn’t gotten out of the corps. However, during our emails back and forth (he asked that I not reveal his name, so we will refer to him as the Medic), he made several statements which I felt deserved to be published and asked him for his permission. The Medic also emailed a few pictures, which we blocked out the faces. (This way he wouldn’t have to brandish the AP4 on some anti-war communist hate America types looking to harass him. By the looks I don’t think he would need the AP4 for this, but it’s always nice to have one in the event one of these dickheads decides to launch a RPG at him.)

At the end of each email the Medic has provided all of his recipients an excerpt from the 91^st Psalms:

“Thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, for he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways”

Not knowing the Medic other then through emails I can sense this is not just a one liner that he adds but knows and believes this to be true.

I also asked the Medic how things were going and he provided me with this response:

“Things are good over here, 53 days left and I’m done. I wished for about a month in February I had that 308 over here, I could have done some more damage.”

He was referring to the Helmand province and by all accounts I’m sure he was hanging out with some Marines. I am a firm believer in the 308 round and am convinced it would add a new dimension to our troops and contractors to provide overwhelming firepower and ultimately a faster and more decisive victory.

We appreciate the Medic and all people of his caliber. Thanks for doing what 99% of the people wouldn’t or couldn’t do.

D9Firearms.

Shown above: D9Firearms customized DPMS Sweet 16 w/16″ SST fluted, threaded bull barrel and Levang Compensator, CMMG Micro gas block, YHM free float 4 rail, Hogue grip, Timney trigger, CAA 6 pos stock, IOR Valdada 2-12×35 w/MP-8 illuminated reticule.

Several months ago we started working on a personal rifle project which was based on the DPMS Sweet 16. Not being satisfied with anything factory standard and wanting to build it myself; I placed an order for the parts. Since I like the looks of fluting and like putting a compensator on everything I ordered a 16” SST bull barrel threaded & fluted.

To go with it I ordered a chrome bolt and carrier, A3 flat top upper receiver and full length YHM free float 4 rail. About the time the parts arrived I received an email from a deputy sheriff in New Mexico who needed a duty rifle (which he is also allowed to use for personal use).

After speaking with him (we don’t want to use his real name or location otherwise armed rapist, murders, crack heads, drug runners & other vermin may choose commit their crimes where officers are not sufficiently armed with a D9Firearms customized Sweet 16) he described the rifle we were building for ourselves.

While speaking with him I asked him about the trigger options. Generally, duty rifles are specified to have all factory standard parts and since we install a lot of JP triggers, which require milling, we didn’t feel comfortable with using this trigger. He stated that they currently didn’t have any guidelines governing what they could carry for duty rifle. However, our concern was that if he did have to use this in the line of duty, and it was then determined the trigger was modified beyond that of the factory (even though the factory instructions specifically state that milling is required) it could comprise him.
Since we had just ordered some Timney drop in single stage triggers we recommended going with those, since they are a factory trigger and don’t require any additional milling. Once we started building the rifle there were a few more changes/additions that we went with, which were changing to a mid length 4 rail, mag trigger guard, and anti-walk pins. (We went with the pins because the trigger has two set screws that must be extended down to the base of the receiver to hold it in place, otherwise the trigger and hammer pins could fall out. I added loctite to prevent them for working out but since this is a duty rifle I didn’t want to take any changes.)

Notice the anti-walk pins with the “C” clamp, mag trigger guard, and Timney trigger. (The trigger is extremely crisp.)

Another feature we went with was the CAA 6 position collapsible stock since it is more robust then the standard 6 pos that comes with an AR. We also used the CMMG micro gas block to fit under the hand rail. And to top off our barrel we went with a Levang compensator. To complete the rifle the deputy chose none other than our favorite IOR Valdada 2-12×35 with illuminated MP-8 dot reticule.

Since this rifle was built from the ground up and was being used as a duty rifle, (I was also a little envious to say the least) we performed a 5 shot range test. We took two shoots to dial the scope in before moving to a second target to determine grouping. (This didn’t go as planned because I was shooting in about 25mph winds, but the test was still successful.) As it goes the first shot I was rocked by what felt a tornadic wind (must have been global warming), and tossed me about 4 inches off when I pulled the trigger. However, I caught a slight lull in the wind and within 10 – 15 seconds squeezed two off for a .574” center to center group.

Looking through the IOR Valdada w/MP-8 reticule

The most impressive thing was the recoil. This was the first time I’ve used the Levang and I can say it was like shooting a 10/22. There was absolutely no recoil and no muzzle lift, hence an immediate follow up shot with a .574” grouping. Also, it didn’t have the typical loud blast like a Miculek compensator has because this comp is ported forward. It is a perfect fit for the bull barrel as well.

Notice the porting on the compensator. All the porting is on the face and not the sides. Excellent recoil reduction without the extra noise.

If you are interested in a DPMS Sweet 16 customized by D9Firearms please contact us. We currently have 4 more on order.

We have our presses back up and running and are in the process of taking new orders. Our goal with the providing customized ammunition is to provide shooters with a custom load that will produce accurate and repeatable results at a competitive price. Prior to shipping any customized round we pull a sample and perform range tests to verify accuracy and reliability. Additionally, we will be including ballistic data from our chronograph. (This will be incorporated in July.)

Currently we are producing the 308 round which consists of:

• Winchester Brass (unfired)
• Alliant Reloader 15 (42.8grn)
• Sierra Matchking 168grn HPBT
• Winchester Large Rifle Primers

We also plan to test a hunting load using a Hornaday 165grn and will have the results once we test a sample from this production batch. It will be using the same components with the exception of the bullet.

We have also re-evaluated our cost in producing the 308 and since we have determined this to be a proven load in three different rifle manufactures we will only be offering them in lots of 100 or more. (This also helps keep your cost down and with recent price increases we must constantly look for cost & quality improvements.)

Rifles:

• Tikka T3 Varmint
• Remington 700
• DPMS LR-308 (24″, 20″, 18″ & 16″)

Recent Quality Improvements:

• Dillon 650 Press

• Powder deviation alarm

Cost:

• $95/100pc

If you are interested in custom loaded 308Win please contact us here at D9Firearms.

As I stated in an earlier article I thread all of my barrels and since my Tikka T3 308 Varmint rifle is an end all go to rifle that is my all time favorite rifle I decided to have it threaded by a local gun smith “Gunsmithing Only”.  Additionally, I brought a client’s rifle with me to have them thread and install his custom compensator.

We currently have one Tikka T3 308 Varmint in stock.  These rifles along with the T3 Deluxe have been discontinued, (thanks Beretta), but we found a couple of calibers in stock at one of our wholesalers.  Without a doubt these bolts are the smoothest operating and the barrels are done by Sako.  One issue that Tikka stands above the rest is the guarantee their rifle to be sub-MOA out of the box without having to pay extra.

Without exception we have found all Tikka’s T3 we own and sold regardless of caliber model delivers sub-MOA.  I have personally shot 1.5” at 300yd using our D9Firearms custom load (42.8grn of RL15, 168grn Sierra Matchking HPBT).  Unequivocally I would take this rifle over any other production rifle out there.  However, I do have one comment is they skimped on the stock and even Tikka admits they did but spent the money on the action and barrel.

If you are looking for a Tikka T3 contact us here at D9Firearms you will not be disappointed.

Several weeks ago we had our first D9Firearms rifle exported to New Zealand. We built Paul a .223 AR-15 w/24” SST fluted bull barrel and added our usual upgrades (JP adjustable w/speed hammer, Panther tactical grip, and tactical carrier release). The rifle arrived within about 3 weeks of us shipping to our exporter.

Paul let us know as soon as it arrived and that everything was in good condition. He followed up with an email once he was able to get it out to the range. Paul let us know that he got a bump fire and wanted to know what may have caused this.

Our first response was, we should have taken it to the range before shipping. The next response was asking him if he would adjust one of the set screws on the JP, if not we let him know that we would reimburse him for the cost of a local gun smith. But since this has happened before, it’s a very straight forward fix.

What happens on the JP adjustable is that the engagement and over travel are adjustable and if they are set a hair to light the rifle can fire one or two rounds without releasing the trigger due the trigger not picking up the engagement to reset. (This is covered in the instructions provided with the trigger and the only way to test for this is firing it.) Generally we don’t have this happen very often and more so less frequently now that we have the process down, but one does get by every now and then.

So Paul made a quick adjustment and let us know all was good and provided us with a couple of range pictures. He also included his load data, which we plan to test.

The black patch is 19mm square (3/4″)

Pics show both 3 and 5 shot groups at 100 meters

I’m using 23g of Hodgdon H335 behind a 69g Sierra Matchking, Winchester brass and Federal primers. I’ve got some 77g Matchkings on order which I’m keen to try out at 300-500m. (3 hr drive to that range though).

All in all, well pleased with accuracy. You have built a little tack driver by the looks of things.

Thanks and Regards

Paul

If you live outside of the United States and would like to procure one of our custom rifles or another rifle or accessories we would be glad to assist you. Currently we have exported hunting accessories to:

· Norway

· Denmark

· New Zealand (Firearms & accessories)

· Argentina (We just received a new customer and will be sending a Horus Vision Hawk)

Recently we procured a Ruger MK III Slabside 22LR pistol for a colleague and his wife for use out on their farm in southern Missouri.  The point of this little blurb is more to illustrate the benefits of a man who’s wife is a shooter.  I have copied an excerpt from an email that he forwarded to me from his wife.

PS: Got two snappers with two shots with the new 22 pistol. It was so right on!  No question of their fate. They were close enough to see the bullet holes as they sank to the bottom. I love it. A really great addition to the arsenal.

I can sense the enthusiasm in her voice.  (My suggestion to Dave is, don’t piss her off.)

f you are interested in procuring an excellent pistol for your wife or kids the Ruger MK 22LR series is an excellent pistol.  Please contact us here at D9Firearms for your next purchase.

Prior to purchasing our Dillon 650 we researched the Hornady and RCBS to determine which press would best fit our production needs.  Since we had the 550 it made sense to stay with the same manufacturer and since we’ve never had a problem with the 550 it was almost an obvious choice.  However, we still did our due diligence.

Over the weekend I decided to kick out a few rounds on the 650 to fill some orders that had come in.  I knocked out an easy 100 or so and had to reload the powder and primer hopper before doing another 100.  About my second or third round I noticed a little bit of sticking in the process not the normal flow and on about the 4^th round coming down a mini explosion went off.

At first I thought one primer had detonated, which has happened before, but smoke and broken light bulbs told another story.  After looking around for a minute trying to grasp what the hell had just happened I noticed several things.  First, the primer tube and alarm were gone (the steel primer tube is screwed into a cast aluminum housing), the lights above my bench were blown out, and I had a loud ringing in my ears.

After the smoke cleared I began to look around and was finding pieces all over the place.  I then started to inspect my press and observed all the flash marks from 100+ primers and the 4 or 5 exposed primer cups chain reacting.  When I picked up the primer tube it was hot to the touch and the inside primer tube liner was fused to the exterior tube.

Next I found pieces of the low primer alarm and the plunger was melted and mangled.  Then I started inspecting the primer housing and noticed that the screw that holds the primer tube in place, which is screwed through the cast housing, was blown out along with a section of the housing.

I called Dillon and told them the story and their response was yep that happens and gave me a list of potential causes and said that’s why we limit the primer tube to hold only 100 primers.  He then asked me about the damage and stated their design is intended to blow up and down, which is basically what happened.  I was not hit by any shrapnel other then the minor hazmat situation I caused with the fluorescent bulbs shattering.  (Where’s ALGORE when I need him.)

Potential Causes:

-                  Parts are worn (This is a new press so this was not a problem)

-                  Brass build up on the shell plate which causes the case not to fully line up over the primer press.  (This may have contributed slightly.)

-                  Primer press not properly aligned (Strong potential).  (This only needs to be off a little bit and can work itself loose to cause the problem.

Dillon listed everything I would need to replace and said it will be in the mail tomorrow and since they offer a lifetime warranty there was no charge.  I then called Tool, a local Army Ranger, who has two Dillon 650’s and he confessed to having the same thing happen to him.

So if you are a hand loader be careful and without a doubt we can highly recommend a Dillon.

We have received the parts and expect the press to be back in operation in a few days.

Thanks