My Gendel Build

[JD-1]

Hi all - just joined the forum. I'm opening this thread to document my Grendel build. (If this is in the wrong place, please let me know.)

To set expectations, this is just a "have-fun" gun. I shoot almost exclusively in my back yard and at most can only go out to 200 yds. I mainly shoot at 100 yds. I do not hunt, so lugging around weight is not an issue. I carry my guns from the safe to the back yard which is at most about 15' from the back door!

I've built several AR15's in the past. I have two Spikes lowers just sitting around that I bought a couple of years ago and finally decided to do something with them. I wanted to do something a little different and after much reading you all have got me hooked on the 6.5G.

This is not by any means geared to be a competitive caliber gun. But, I also don't want the bottom of the barrel. Quality parts for good prices.

I just placed my order for the 18" Group Buy Monster along with the Monster Bolt.

In the meantime, I have my lower mostly done. Here's pics of it so far (first time using flickr - so hopefully they show up). I have a Rise Armament AR-15 Folds of Honor drop-in trigger, a BCM carbine buffer assembly and MOE CTR stock ready to put on (hopefully this weekend).

More to follow as I slowly get parts in.

SpikesLower1 by

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2dyA3CF]SpikesLower2 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/168636048@N03/]

[JD-1]

I do have some questions on the upper build.
With the 18" Monster Group Buy barrel, I want a decent (without breaking the bank) receiver. What say you?
Also, BCG - with the Monster Bolt, RLGS and Carbine buffer (standard weight for now), what is a good BCG (again without breaking the bank)?

I know these are loaded questions and everyone has their own personal favorites , so please tell my WHY it is your personal favorite.

[Rangerofthenorth]

Bkings has Aero Precision stripped uppers for a good price, made by Anchor Harvey, and mine have always fit great. Also the Bkings uppers, also Anchor Harvey, are $35, and Aero upper parts kit $12.WcArmory has good prices on Toolcraft bcgs.

[JD-1]

Bkings has Aero Precision stripped uppers for a good price, made by Anchor Harvey, and mine have always fit great. Also the Bkings uppers, also Anchor Harvey, are $35, and Aero upper parts kit $12.WcArmory has good prices on Toolcraft bcgs.

Thanks. Their out of the stripped Aero, but have the BKF stripped upper. I’ve heard the Aero’s are GTG, are the BKF’s?

[Rangerofthenorth]

I assume the BKF uppers are GTG since they are Anchor Harvey like Aero Precision. I hope so cause I've got one coming

[JD-1]

My lower is complete and waiting for the upper to get built. Group buy Monster barrel and bolt are coming in today (thanks BFT!).
I just ordered 2 of the BKF stripped uppers. Will update when I get them in and can start assembly the upper.

By the way: installed a Rise Armament Folds of Honor drop-in trigger (I donate to FOH every month). Felt bad that it got covered up!

FOH Trigger 1 by
[url=https://flic.kr/p/SQNRCL]FOH Trigger 2 by
[url=https://flic.kr/p/SQNRrU]Completed Lower by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/168636048@N03/]

[JD-1]

Received the Group Buy Monster Barrel (18") and Bolt. They are awesome!
Received the BKingsFirearms stripped upper and installed the forward assist and Group Buy ejection port cover. (I had to dry-fit the barrel to see how it would look). Waiting for my handguard - Aero Precision 15" Quantum (I wanted something that didn't have the "cheese grater" (as I saw someone say) - I don't plan on hanging anything on the front). Then I can get the barrel installed on the upper.

IMG_5317 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/168636048@N03/]

[JD-1]

Progress is being made.
Installed the barrel to the upper along with the Aero Precision Quantum handguard. The Brownell's TiN BCG came in and replaced the bolt with the Group Buy Monster bolt. Scope and mount are on their way. Just need some sort of muzzle brake and magazine. Bought some ammo at the local gun store today (Wolf Gold and Federal Fusion). Have enough to break in the barrel and site the scope.

IMG_5345 by

[url=https://flic.kr/p/T56isb]IMG_5350 by

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2f8AsbU]IMG_5349 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/168636048@N03/]

[JD-1]

Scope came in (purchased from GovX.com during their Vortex sale) and mounted it last night.
Now, waiting for the muzzle brake and e-lander magazines I ordered from LaRue. Checked my order this morning and it says "Backordered". Argh. The snow is almost all gone here in NH and I want to get out to shoot!

IMG_5363 by

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2dTh62a]IMG_5362 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/168636048@N03/]

[JD-1]

Well - sorry for taking so long to post results. I was finally able to get out and send the first 60 rounds down range. Up front summary: I think the barrel (group buy monster 18") is far better than I am! I used Wolf Gold 120Gr and Federal Fusion 120Gr. I used 1 20 round CPD mag (loaded with 20) and 2 28 round CPD mags (loaded to 20 each). Had absolutely no issues with the 28 round mags. The 20 round wouldn't chamber a round. I think the feed lips were hitting the bolt carrier keeping it from closing. I'll have to do some investigation on that one. It took quite a bit to get the scope centered. I still have more work to do there, but at least it's close now. I was shooting on a bench, but had no bipod or bag; just had my elbow on the table. I spent a lot of time getting the stock extension right to feel comfortable. I was having a hard time keeping the cross hairs stationary - man do I need more practice! Here's some results:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]14084[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]14085[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]14086[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]14087[/ATTACH]

[BCHunter]

Nice build

[A5BLASTER]

Well - sorry for taking so long to post results. I was finally able to get out and send the first 60 rounds down range. Up front summary: I think the barrel (group buy monster 18") is far better than I am! I used Wolf Gold 120Gr and Federal Fusion 120Gr. I used 1 20 round CPD mag (loaded with 20) and 2 28 round CPD mags (loaded to 20 each). Had absolutely no issues with the 28 round mags. The 20 round wouldn't chamber a round. I think the feed lips were hitting the bolt carrier keeping it from closing. I'll have to do some investigation on that one. It took quite a bit to get the scope centered. I still have more work to do there, but at least it's close now. I was shooting on a bench, but had no bipod or bag; just had my elbow on the table. I spent a lot of time getting the stock extension right to feel comfortable. I was having a hard time keeping the cross hairs stationary - man do I need more practice! Here's some results:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]14084[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]14085[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]14086[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]14087[/ATTACH]

Nice build sir. Those 28 round mags aren't 28 round mags, it was a mislabel they are 26 rounders. Your probably correct on the feed lips of the 20 rounder, I have a few that needed to be tweaked just a hair but been perfect after that.

Where did you find the wolf 120 gold ammo?

[JD-1]

Nice build sir. Those 28 round mags aren't 28 round mags, it was a mislabel they are 26 rounders. Your probably correct on the feed lips of the 20 rounder, I have a few that needed to be tweaked just a hair but been perfect after that.

Thanks! I thought they were 26 rounders as well. I only loaded them with 20 anyways. So when you say "tweaked", did you bend them down or up? I'm thinking I'm going to have to bend it down if it is actually hitting the BCG preventing it from sliding all the way forward. The other thing I noticed with the 20 round mag loaded with 20 rounds was that it was very difficult to put in and pull out of the mag well. The 26 round mags went right in and fell out when hitting the mag release.

Where did you find the wolf 120 gold ammo?

I purchased 2 boxes from the LGS: Riley's in Hooksett, NH. 6.5G ammo is very hard to find in the local guns stores so I grabbed what I could when I saw it. Was the same price as the Federal Fusion and I think they both shot equally well.

[A5BLASTER]

Most of the mags I had to tweak needed the lip to be bent up so it held the round at a better angle.

If the mag is hard to insert and extract it sounds like the mag is swelling up from to many rounds. Try downloading it to 15 and see if it does it again.

I can't ever seem to find any of that wolf 120 gold for sale online. Everywhere I find it listed it's out of stock, but I see guys saying they ordered some.

[JD-1]

Most of the mags I had to tweak needed the lip to be bent up so it held the round at a better angle.

If the mag is hard to insert and extract it sounds like the mag is swelling up from to many rounds. Try downloading it to 15 and see if it does it again.

Thanks - I'll try that.

[JD-1]

Received my Grendel Decals from DM. (See "Grendel Decals" under Industry Partners.)
Have my mags marked to easily identify them.

IMG_3418 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/168636048@N03/]