Quick Look: Kaw Valley Precision Linear Comp

Since we here at SpartanTC Reviews have been checking out so many different compensators over the past couple months we figured we would get our hands on a couple more to try out. Recently we contacted Kaw Valley Precision about their Linear Compensator, it was one that a few of you had asked about it, and I had actually seen it a few times while browsing around the internet. KVP was awesomely quick to get back with us and help get our hands on one to test out.

(The new SpartanTC Reviews AR outfitted with the Kaw Valley Precision Linear Comp)

For those who do not know what a linear compensator is here is an answer taken directly from KVP's website.

What is a Linear Compensator? 

A linear compensator is a muzzle device designed to collect and direct all the muzzle gases forward, away from the shooter.  Unlike other types of muzzle devices, KVP linear comps actually lower the decibel the shooter experiences while shooting the rifle. This lowered perceived decibel is especially noticeable in shorter barreled rifles while shooting high power rounds. 

When you first pick up the KVP Linear Comp you can tell right away that it is a solid piece of work, and won't be damaged easily. The machining is really clean on it, and the finish is really well done and seems like it will stand up to quite a bit of abuse.

If you take a close look at the KVP Linear Comp you will notice that the only holes that it has are pointing forward. While this gives it a very different look I am really looking forward to taking it out to the range and seeing how much "quieter" it is over the other comps we have used.

We are hoping to get the new SpartanTC Reviews Test AR out to the range very soon and get some video, along with our initial thoughts on shooting with this comp. Make sure to stay to keep checking back as there are lots of reviews in the works!

RGuns Nickel Boron BCG

I must admit that the idea of the Nickel Boron coating on a BCG is pretty cool to me, I had seen many people posting about them on different forums and Youtube videos. Needless to say I was intrigued and wanted to get one for the Spartan build, but when I started looking around for parts the market had already become sparse with parts. I had searched through all of my reliable websites looking for a good deal on a BCG, but I kept coming up empty handed, that was until one day I happened to check Aim Surplus and there was a RGuns Nickel Boron BCG and the price was well within my budget.  Without doing any research I quickly ordered it before they ran out of them (apparently I bought one of the last few because the next day they were sold out and haven't had any since), I was quite happy with the price I was able to get it at. That was until I began to research the RGuns BCG, during my research I had found out that the extractor springs that come in them are extremely weak and almost always needed to be replaced, and apparently some other people have run into issues with the coating peeling off within a few hundred rounds. Of course with all reviews they need to be taken with "a grain of salt" because some people are naturally complainers, and some people really just complain about stuff because they want to. With that said I still ordered an extractor spring replacement kit from BCM, just in case the spring that came stock in the BCG was actually weak.

When I received the BCG from Aim Surplus I was happy to see that the coating was smooth as could be (I even handed it to my wife and she asked if there was any oil on it because it felt slick), there were no major flaws to be found in it and everything looked to be within spec (to the naked eye). Needless to say I was impressed with the product received and was excited to get out to the range with it and run a few hundred rounds down range with it. But sadly it had to sit with all of the other parts waiting for the Spartan lower to come in from 2 Vets Arms.

I couldn't wait until the Spartan lower was in my hands to take my completed upper out to the range and put some rounds through it. Luckily I have a coworker who likes firearms nearly as much as I do, and I had just completed a build for him. So we headed out to the range to test out his build and make sure that everything was functioning properly for the build, and of course allow me the opportunity to make sure that everything on my upper build was working also. Once I had the adjustable gas block zeroed in I had hoped that everything was good to go, however I was having an FTE issue. I quickly figured out that it was the ejector spring, it was too weak to actually eject the brass and I didn't take the replacement spring with me to the range.

When I got home I pulled the old ejector spring out and saw that it was about a coil and a half shorter than the new one, and I knew that was exactly what the issue had been at the range. Getting the new spring in required a lot more force than was required to get the old one out so I knew that once this one was in everything would be good to go.

Once I had my build all completed I went back out to the range within a couple days and fired off around 120 rounds just to make sure that everything was functioning perfectly. I no longer had any failure to ejects and the brass/steel was being tossed in a nice pile a couple feet to my right. The BCM replacement spring was just the ticket to get this BCG working just like it should.

So far I have run around 350 rounds down range using this BCG and I have not run into any other hiccups after replacing the ejector spring. I just recently pulled it apart to give it a good cleaning so I could have some pictures to show what it looks like after that many rounds, and it cleaned up rather nice. There is some staining in the Nickel Boron coating but it is still slick to the touch despite the staining. I am confident that this BCG will give me thousands of rounds reliably out at the range, and I am glad that it is easy to clean up, even though I am sure that I could have easily run a thousand rounds through it without and issues.

(This picture was taken after cleaning it recently you can see some of the staining)

                              (These pictures were all taken prior to cleaning with 350 rounds fired)

The Spartan Build is Complete!

At the beginning of the year2 Vets Arms workshop and pick up the Spartan lowers I had preordered from them.  Yes, it was a long day of driving, but I feel that it was well worth making the 3+ hour trip to meet Dean and Amber face to face.  I am so glad that I found out about 2 Vets Arms when AR15News.com put up a picture of one of the builds that had been done for a customer.  It is really cool that they are from Oklahoma (my current home) and are both Veterans.  As I said in my Lock-N-Load Java review, I feel that it is important to support as many Veteran Owned Companies as we possibly can; they have offered their lives to this country - helping to grow their businesses is the least that we can do.
I had the opportunity to visit the

When we got down to the workshop, I was surprised to see just how small a business they actually are right now, but also immediately impressed by the number of rifles that they pump out despite their size.  If there is one thing I have learned lately, it is that the detail and care put forth by small companies that really makes for awesome quality products.  Dean and I talked shop while I was filling out the 4473.  It was great to talk with someone else who is just as excited as I am to show off and talk about guns.  After talking for a bit it was time for us to head out.  (I had taken my wife and 2 year old along for the drive, they both did amazing :) )  On the way out the door, Dean and Amber hooked us up with the a couple of t-shirts and stickers (which I appreciate more than most people would probably understand).

To say that I was excited to build one of the lowers when I got home would be an understatement.  I was literally grabbing tools and parts as I was unlocking the door to the house.  I had been waiting to get my hands on the lowers, and now that I had them in my possession I wanted to get one complete so I could scratch that lower building itch I had.  Everything went together smoothly and I could not be happier with the end result for the Spartan Build.

 Everything came together to make a fine firearm that I know will give me years of great range time.

Rainier Raptor Charging Handle

With the many different AR's that I have owned over the past 2 years there has always been a piece of the builds that seemed to be lacking to me, I know that the mil-spec charging handle has worked just fine since the creation of the AR-15 but for me it was one of the pieces I felt the least comfortable with. It was hard to pull the charging handle with gloves on, or if a scope was mounted to the AR's that I had, so this was something that I always wanted to go a different route with.  So with the Spartan build being my "dream" build I decided it was time to get a charging handle that was designed with the most versatility, in steps the Rainier Arms Raptor Charging Handle.

The first thing that I noticed when I received my Raptor was that it is a very sturdy charging handle, rigid enough to take years of abuse and keep on going. It also has a very nice anodized finish, if there are any defects in it I cannot see them with my naked eye. Overall my first impressions were that this was one of the better purchases I have made for the build, little did I know how much I would enjoy using this charging handle when I finally finished the build and got out to the range.

With it's large ambidextrous latch release I can easily charge my AR now, I have tried using every finger on both hands and the latch releases every time, and thanks to the width of the latch releases it is very easy to pull back with one or two fingers. It operates with extreme ease and locks back in place with a very sturdy click, and once in place it does not rattle or move until you release it and charge the rifle again.

I noticed with gloves on and the magnifier that I had installed that it was still very easy to get a positive grip on the Raptor, even when I could not get my fingers to fit in between because of the gloves I am still able to "blade" the latch with my palm and charge the rifle. So far the Raptor has proven to work in every situation I think I can possibly end up in, and I am sure that there are many more that it will be willing to stand up to.

So far I have run around 300 rounds through the Spartan AR, and the Raptor has been nothing but willing to work every single time I have needed to use it, it is showing very little wear so far and I believe it will be a good long while before it starts to really show any major use. If you have felt like your mil-spec charging handle is lacking something I highly recommend checking into the Rainier Arms Raptor, I am extremely happy that I did.

556 Tactical Stryker Compensator

Where do I start on this awesome compensator that I installed onto the Spartan Build?

I decided to get the Stryker Comp from 556 Tactical during their Black Friday sale, mainly based on a video that they had posted up showing just how well it kept the muzzle from rising during quick shots. Every other AR I have had always had the standard birdcage at the end, however there have been a few AR's I have shot that had compensators installed on them and it was something that I really wanted to have on my "dream" build.

I really liked the Stryker Comp the second I opened the box, the quality and finish of the compensator is above any expectations I could have had. It looks super mean and honestly I am pretty sure it would make a great up close and personal weapon when you run out of ammo. The overall design is very impressive with the wavy compensator ports and the crown like front, it gives the impression that it means business.

As far as how well the Stryker Comp performs, I have been very impressed by how well it handles single shots, double taps, and "rapid" fire. I have not once felt like the muzzle was rising during my time spent out at the range, actually during fast firing I felt it pushing the muzzle down which was a totally new feeling for me but something I have come to really like about it. The other very impressive thing is that when you are firing with this comp installed and you happen to be under a metal cover at the range, everyone knows you are there and that is not just because of the loud boom, it also resonates in your sinuses.

In closing I feel for the $49.95 this is a great compensator, and by far one of my favorites that I have had the opportunity to shoot with. 556 Tactical shipped extremely fast and I had the compensator within just a few days of the order.

The Spartan Build- Lower

The base of the Spartan build begins with the 2 Vets Arms Spartan Lower, the awesome idea for these came about just a couple months ago when they had announced they were going to make these special editition lowers.

The proceeds were going to a very worthy cause so I pre-ordered 3 of them.

While waiting for the release of the lowers I started making a list of the parts that I have liked from the other AR's that I have owned in the past, I also started watching the usual sites for sales and awesome deals. With Black Friday approaching I knew that Palmetto State Armory would be having some great sales, so I kept a very close eye on the parts that I was looking for.

There are a few things that I have never cared for about the complete rifles you see in most gun stores.

First is the mil-spec collapsible stock, it's hard for me to find a good cheek weld with it, and I have never found it to be very comfortable when shouldering. The great thing is there are so many companies out there to choose from. For this build I went with the B5 Systems SOPMOD, it is extremely comfortable and well built.

Second is the trigger that comes in most stock AR-15's, they have always felt gritty and like they have a mile long trigger pull. After having the Geissele SD-E trigger in one of my old builds I will never be able to go back to a stock trigger. I found a smoking deal through PSA for a Geissele SSA-E trigger and the only difference between this and the SD-E is its not a flat face trigger. The reason I really like the Geissele triggers is that the pull is super predictable and the break is crisp and clean.

(This trigger has now been changed to the ALG ACT for our upcoming comparison reviews. [11/14/2013])

As far as the lower parts kit goes I went with the enhanced PSA kit, it comes with the Magpul MOE pistol grip, and the MOE trigger guard.

This is one lower that I am looking anxiously forward to putting together and getting the Spartan Upper mounted to.

Every Day Belts (EDB)

When I first started concealed carrying I had this flimsy old belt, and when I say old I mean I had it for over 10 years, and it really didn't hold up to the weight of an OWB holster. So I began my search for a belt that would work for my every day carry and for work purposes.

The first belt that I picked up was the Blackhawk CQB/Riggers Belt, one of the reasons that I picked it up was the price, at $27 shipped from Amazon.com it was a hard one to pass up. As far as a "starter" belt for EDC or even range use the Blackhawk CQB belt actually fits very well into that category.

Fit- The Blackhawk is extremely adjustable in size compared to some of the other EDC belts that are out on the market right now, I ordered the medium and with a 34" waist there is plenty of room in the adjustment to go to a larger or smaller size.

Finish- While the Blackhawk is on the lower end of the price range compared to other companies out there, it is put together fairly well, the stitching is uniform and not sloppy. The buckle and D-ring are both very sturdy, the buckle adjusts easily and holds steady once you are set to the size you need.

Some things that I have noticed when wearing the Blackhawk, first the buckle does not sit nearly as flat as I would like for it to, it seems to cause an awkward looking "bulge" where it sits. Second the end of the belt when attached to the velcro can sometimes poke up and rub against your side, if you don't have an undershirt on or have your shirt tucked in this can become a bit irritating.

Overall I think that for someone looking for a "budget" riggers belt the Blackhawk CQB/Riggers Belt would fit the bill just fine.

My other belt is the Cobra Riggers Belt from Original S.O.E. this belt was quite a bit more in price but when compared to the Blackhawk belt you can quickly see the reasons. The O.S.O.E belt shows a much higher quality of craftsmanship, the stitching is extremely uniform, and is made of a much higher quality thread than the Blachkhawk. It also has comes with a quick disconnect buckle that makes it much easier for daily use than the pull through tension style of the Blackhawk.

The O.S.O.E. Cobra belt is a much stiffer belt thanks to the velcro backing that is sewn into it. Having the extra stoutness to it makes it much more comfortable when carrying both a gun holster and a magazine pouch. It seems to hold up very well to the added weight, where the Blackhawk belt does not.

Fit- While not as adjustable as the Blackhawk there is still room for you to order it slightly smaller and just let it out a bit if you are not near your ideal weight (like myself), and this in no way hinders the way that the belt feels when you are wearing it.

Finish- Out of the few belts that I have owned I will give OSOE top marks on the quality of the Cobra belt, the stitching is perfect and the quality of the materials is top grade. The buckle is comfortable and extremely functional, allowing adjustments to be made while still maintaining quick disconnect ability.

If you are looking for an every day belt that is on the lower end of the price scale I would not hesitate in suggesting the Blackhawk CQB Belt as it fits the bill, while still giving you a sturdy enough belt to carry your holster. Yet in my own opinion if you are willing to save up the money and wait a little bit longer any of the belts from Original S.O.E. are worth the wait and spending just a little bit more on.

The Spartan Build- Upper

Out of the multiple AR's that I have owned over the past few years every single one has had an upper that had already been assembled before I ordered it. But with all of the searching that I was doing looking for the "right" upper to go on my build I finally decided that I just wasn't finding the upper that screamed "put me on the spartan build!". Now I consider myself to be competent enough to assemble parts to rifles, but I had always been a bit hesitant to build my own upper, mainly because I just had not done it before. So this has been a whole new experience for me, thankfully I have quite a few friends out there who have built their own uppers and they were more than willing to help me out with the list of parts that I would need to do my build.

Upper Receiver- I picked up a Wilson Combat Upper receiver to be the base of my build. One of the biggest reasons was because of the name that Wilson has created for itself in the firearms industry.

Charging Handle- Because I have never really cared for the Mil-Spec Charging Handle I decided that I wanted to find something that was ambidextrous and would make it easier for me to grab even when I am wearing gloves. In stepped the Rainer Arms Raptor, this charging handle is exactly what I have always been looking for when it came to an extended and ambi latch, with a gloved hand or a single finger I can easily get enough contact with the Raptor to be able to unlatch the handle and begin the charging of the rifle.

Bolt Carrier Group- I have been a bit fascinated with the concept of the Nickel Boron coating on the Bolt Carrier Groups so when I ran across this deal, I didn't have to think long to toss it into my shopping cart and proceed right on over to checkout. So far I am very impressed by the quality of this BCG from RGuns.

Hand Guard- For this I had to think about all of the things that I have not liked about the other hand guards that have been on the other uppers that I have owned. I wanted something that was lighter weight, but still have the ability to have "mobile" sections of rail to add accessories if and when they may be needed. When I ran across the Midwest Industries 15-inch Gen2 SS-Series One Piece Free Float Hand Guard it fit the bill of what I had been looking for.

Barrel- With the barrel being by far one of the most important parts of the upper build I felt that I didn't need to skimp on it and just grab whatever was available. Knowing the reputation Rainer Arms has I decided that I wanted to look into getting one of their barrels. The Rainier Arms Select 5.56MM Barrel in matte stainless was exactly what I was looking for in a barrel, with the polygonal rifiling, 416r stainless steel, mid length gas system, and a 90 day satisfaction guarantee I decided that this was the barrel for me. I went with the 14.5" barrel so when I added on my muzzle device it would be right at 16".

Muzzle Device- Every other upper that I have had has always had the traditional Bird Cage on them, so this time I decided that I really wanted something that would help keep muzzle rise down while at the same time look gnarly. After reading reviews on several different types I ran across the 556 Tactical Stryker Comp which fit the bill for both the control of muzzle rise, and overall looking gnarly.

Gas Block- Most any low profile gas block will work for every application, but I wanted to have the adjustability that the Kies Adjustable Gas Block offered up, and with as highly as this gas block comes from the reviews I have read I am expecting to see great results from it.

There were the other "small" pieces that are needed to finish a build for the upper, the dust cover, forward assist, gas tube, and the parts needed to install them. These parts can be found on Brownells, or any other company that sells parts for AR's.

Now being that I am using a 14.5" Barrel on this build I had to permanently attach the muzzle device to the barrel to make it legal length. Pinning the comp to the barrel was the method that was used for mine.

I must admit that building the upper from pieces is quite satisfying, and really leaves you with a sense of accomplishment. I have a whole new outlook on building AR's and I am looking forward to building the 2 uppers for the other Spartan lowers that I have. Here is a picture of the upper all assembled and ready to go. There are multiple accessories on it in this picture but I will get into those and the reason I picked them in a later post.

The Spartan Build

A few months ago 2 Vets Arms brought up the idea of releasing a limited edition AR lower where the proceeds would be donated to Descendants of Sparta to assist with the prevention of active military and veteran suicide.

Of course the idea received lots of support and they moved ahead with their plans to release it for pre order. When 2VA announced that the lowers were up for purchase I quickly jumped on to their site and ordered 3 of them, 2 of which are for myself and the other will be set aside until my son is old enough to build his own.

After placing the order I began thinking about all of the different things I have liked and disliked about the AR builds I have had, and started researching the different parts that are available trying to figure out what I wanted to use for what I have now dubbed "The Spartan Build".

Over the next couple posts I will list all of the different parts that I am using in this build, along with pictures of the build as it progresses.