07-03-2018, 10:00 PM
Okay, Klem's antithesis here. I'll accept the label of LaRue fan, because of experiences gained with mine.
I can't for the life of my figure out what Klem's dislike of LaRue stems from, other than a possible bad experience with them? My rifle is by far smoother, more accurate, and easier to shoot than either of the two others I've built. I'm meticulous, even if relatively new to the game. I squared both receivers by hand, bedded the extensions, and used the right tools for the job in building both of my previous rifles, buying what I didn't have to assemble them correctly. I'm no machinist, and I never measured run out or tolerances while building, but my LaRue looks like they did. My LaRue is far and away smoother and softer shooting than my BCM 5.56 Recce, and the only thing I've ever done with it was install a handguard, after purchasing it as a BCM factory assembly from Brownells long ago.
The LaRue doesn't shoot Hornady Black as well as I'd like, but I've found an easy load that smokes my mind every time out, both with consistency and accuracy. I've never shot or even handled a JP, but I'd imagine they make great stuff from the bragging their fan base provides. I'm working on a longer range capable precision load, and when I get things gathered to generate good data, I'll be posting about that. I've been impressed with the performance of the 129SST, the 123 SMK, the 120 SMK(especially), and the 107SMK. Probably the most impressive is the way the 129SST makes the gongs ring, but my loads were making me skiddish with the suppressor on flattening primers. That may need to be an unsuppressed load.
I put a JP SCS in my BCM - and my LaRue is still smoother, softer, feels better. Much better. With any load. You can't know until you shoot it, but I'll gladly report it's as well put together as any other AR I've ever seen, and I have become an AR quality snob. LWRC, LMT, DPMS, BCM, DD, Geissele, all are really nice. But my LaRue is appreciatively nicer. Maybe it's the way the rail and upper mate together with flanges, pins and cap screws. It's as close to monolithic as you can obtain without paying for a mono. You could pay for a mono for the price of the LaRue, but then you have to deal with the drawbacks associated with building and maintaining it. The enclosed barrel nut never excited me, personally.
I don't think JP can beat the price of the LaRue kit; and if building yourself you won't find a better value. Period. I shoot three round one hole groups routinely, but SH will attest what happens at 4 and 5. If I take it to 10, the hole just gets bigger. There's always a pull, the SH curse.
Perhaps LaRue's one drawback is the secrecy surrounding their barrel material, and treatment/coating processes. I'm not sure why he decides to keep that part a secret, but I'm okay with him calling it "Rearden Steel" because, well, that's pretty damned appropriate. A secret alloy that shows it's dominance by performing rather than bragging about it.
There was no spot on my Rifle when I got it that showed wear. There were no handling marks. There was no extra grease. No finger prints. There was, however a surprising feature. The extension tube had been screwed in one rev too far, the rifle somehow clamshelled together that way, and I had to drive the rear pin out with a delrin punch. After about two minutes, I figured out the problem, backed the tube out one rev, and it's been amazing since. I was dissapointed, and after a phone call, they wanted it back right away to fix any marks or blemishes. I wanted to shoot it first, and Dan told to call them back, they'd send me a box and a label. After the first 60 rounds, I wasn't ever letting it go anywhere without me, so I never called them back. The next time I called, Dan answered the phone, I was buying parts for my pistol build. He asked me how my rifle was, whether I had decided to return it so they could fix it. I was surprised he remembered, it had been several months. I ordered my pistol's MBT. They sent me an APEG grip and Clip set along with a bunch of swag free. I'd buy it again without hesitation. I may well do so.
I don't know you could line the two up for 2k rounds and say for sure which one is better, but I'd be willing to bet you could tell which one shoots smoother, and is more unique. The JP rifles are a high end AR, with a few unique features. The entire LaRue is unique, and it looks it. It's obvious after 800 rounds that little wear is occurring, if noticable at all. Every mark on it is entirely my fault, civilian usage battle scars that each carry a memory of "dang it, Vern!". My LaRUe has never failed to digest any case I've fed it. It has eaten every factory load, even from my ASC mags, which didn't feed in my second stick at all. It's liked and digested all my reloads, and the feedback from them is easy to read because the rifles just so darn smooth.
I've shot 10 shot and 20 shot rapid fired groups, that stay POA at 100 with 120 SMKs and Benchmark. Absolutely no POI change even at 20 rounds. I haven't done the same with any of the others yet. They probably aren't smoking any velocity records, but I'd be impressed with any AR that can claim that.
I've never fired steel cased from it, so I can't attest to it's performance there.
I can't for the life of my figure out what Klem's dislike of LaRue stems from, other than a possible bad experience with them? My rifle is by far smoother, more accurate, and easier to shoot than either of the two others I've built. I'm meticulous, even if relatively new to the game. I squared both receivers by hand, bedded the extensions, and used the right tools for the job in building both of my previous rifles, buying what I didn't have to assemble them correctly. I'm no machinist, and I never measured run out or tolerances while building, but my LaRue looks like they did. My LaRue is far and away smoother and softer shooting than my BCM 5.56 Recce, and the only thing I've ever done with it was install a handguard, after purchasing it as a BCM factory assembly from Brownells long ago.
The LaRue doesn't shoot Hornady Black as well as I'd like, but I've found an easy load that smokes my mind every time out, both with consistency and accuracy. I've never shot or even handled a JP, but I'd imagine they make great stuff from the bragging their fan base provides. I'm working on a longer range capable precision load, and when I get things gathered to generate good data, I'll be posting about that. I've been impressed with the performance of the 129SST, the 123 SMK, the 120 SMK(especially), and the 107SMK. Probably the most impressive is the way the 129SST makes the gongs ring, but my loads were making me skiddish with the suppressor on flattening primers. That may need to be an unsuppressed load.
I put a JP SCS in my BCM - and my LaRue is still smoother, softer, feels better. Much better. With any load. You can't know until you shoot it, but I'll gladly report it's as well put together as any other AR I've ever seen, and I have become an AR quality snob. LWRC, LMT, DPMS, BCM, DD, Geissele, all are really nice. But my LaRue is appreciatively nicer. Maybe it's the way the rail and upper mate together with flanges, pins and cap screws. It's as close to monolithic as you can obtain without paying for a mono. You could pay for a mono for the price of the LaRue, but then you have to deal with the drawbacks associated with building and maintaining it. The enclosed barrel nut never excited me, personally.
I don't think JP can beat the price of the LaRue kit; and if building yourself you won't find a better value. Period. I shoot three round one hole groups routinely, but SH will attest what happens at 4 and 5. If I take it to 10, the hole just gets bigger. There's always a pull, the SH curse.
Perhaps LaRue's one drawback is the secrecy surrounding their barrel material, and treatment/coating processes. I'm not sure why he decides to keep that part a secret, but I'm okay with him calling it "Rearden Steel" because, well, that's pretty damned appropriate. A secret alloy that shows it's dominance by performing rather than bragging about it.
There was no spot on my Rifle when I got it that showed wear. There were no handling marks. There was no extra grease. No finger prints. There was, however a surprising feature. The extension tube had been screwed in one rev too far, the rifle somehow clamshelled together that way, and I had to drive the rear pin out with a delrin punch. After about two minutes, I figured out the problem, backed the tube out one rev, and it's been amazing since. I was dissapointed, and after a phone call, they wanted it back right away to fix any marks or blemishes. I wanted to shoot it first, and Dan told to call them back, they'd send me a box and a label. After the first 60 rounds, I wasn't ever letting it go anywhere without me, so I never called them back. The next time I called, Dan answered the phone, I was buying parts for my pistol build. He asked me how my rifle was, whether I had decided to return it so they could fix it. I was surprised he remembered, it had been several months. I ordered my pistol's MBT. They sent me an APEG grip and Clip set along with a bunch of swag free. I'd buy it again without hesitation. I may well do so.
I don't know you could line the two up for 2k rounds and say for sure which one is better, but I'd be willing to bet you could tell which one shoots smoother, and is more unique. The JP rifles are a high end AR, with a few unique features. The entire LaRue is unique, and it looks it. It's obvious after 800 rounds that little wear is occurring, if noticable at all. Every mark on it is entirely my fault, civilian usage battle scars that each carry a memory of "dang it, Vern!". My LaRUe has never failed to digest any case I've fed it. It has eaten every factory load, even from my ASC mags, which didn't feed in my second stick at all. It's liked and digested all my reloads, and the feedback from them is easy to read because the rifles just so darn smooth.
I've shot 10 shot and 20 shot rapid fired groups, that stay POA at 100 with 120 SMKs and Benchmark. Absolutely no POI change even at 20 rounds. I haven't done the same with any of the others yet. They probably aren't smoking any velocity records, but I'd be impressed with any AR that can claim that.
I've never fired steel cased from it, so I can't attest to it's performance there.
Nothing kills the incentive of men faster than a healthy sense of entitlement. Nothing kills entitlement faster than a healthy sense of achievement.