A Foxtrot Mike and KE Arms SBR Build

KP-15 Facet Folder Mil-Spec FCG Full

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KE Arms makes a novel monolithic polymer decrease for the AR15 platform. They’re one piece items that embrace the core receiver, the pistol grip and the mounted A1 size buttstock. The monolithic design offers the power that typical polymer receivers don’t have and alleviates the widespread subject of cracking the place the receiver extension (the buffer tube) screws in.

One other manner round that’s to do away with the buffer tube altogether. That’s what KE Arms did with their new lowers. They designed them for bufferless uppers like Brownells BRN-180 or the Foxtrot Mike FM15. Slightly than a set buttstock, these lowers have a rear Picatinny rail permitting you so as to add the inventory of your selection. 

The KP-15 Facet Folder Decrease

I already personal three common KP-15 lowers that I‘ve constructed into 5.56mm, 7.62x39mm, and 6.5 Grendel carbines. When KE Arms introduced the aspect folding variant this Spring I knew I’d need to attempt it too so I jumped on the pre order. The decrease was delivered in June so I had the remainder of my construct already deliberate out by the point it arrived. Let’s check out the decrease itself first although.

The KP-15 Facet Folder is constructed precisely the identical manner because the common KP-15 lowers. The truth is it’s a common KP-15 decrease that KE Arms removes the buttstock from in a submit machining course of. They then set up an aluminum Picatinny block with a QD socket. The ensuing decrease weighs simply 0.95 kilos. It’s an ideal begin to a light-weight construct.

The KP-15 includes a huge flared magazine properly that makes reloading simple. You possibly can be drunk or blind, most likely each, and nonetheless discover the magwell on a HP-15. Not that it is best to most likely be taking pictures if you happen to have been both, however you get the concept. 

As famous, the grip is integral to the decrease. I do know some people might not love that concept, nevertheless it provides power to the design and eliminates the necessity for a grip screw and washer. Though you possibly can’t add your favourite grip to a KP-15 I do discover the inventory one snug. There are not any finger grooves or protrusions and it has textured aspect panels and a grooved backstrap. In case you actually needed to you would physician it up with some grip tape, or a rubber grip sleeve like a Hogue HandALL. I simply left mine inventory although, they usually work effective.

The Facet Folder comes with a Mil-Spec set off. You’ve got the selection of a mil spec magazine launch or can improve to an ambi magazine launch for an extra $54.95. The selector change can be Mil-Spec with the choice of upgrading to one in all three ambi selectors for an extra $39.95. I caught with commonplace Mil-Spec fashions for each. I don’t know if I’m bizarre or what, however like a inventory GI security and barely change them out. 

Once you decide your decrease you need to decide what sort of higher you propose on working. The KP-15 Facet Folders will work with both the Brownells BRN-180 or Matador Arms higher, or the FM Merchandise higher. You may run the Brownells or Matador on the identical decrease, however the FM requires a special decrease. I deliberate on getting an FM Merchandise higher in order that’s the choice I selected. The KP-15 decrease value with commonplace Mil-Spec components is $324.95. That features the decrease, the entire hearth management components, the magazine launch, bolt maintain open, and the take down pins. The take down pins on a KP-15 decrease are completely different out of your commonplace AR take down pins and are usually not captive. You may take away them fully from the decrease throughout disassembly. Simply don’t lose them. 

In case you’re a PCC man, KE Arms additionally makes the KP-9 Facet Folder. Specs are just like the rifle decrease they usually’re made to work with the Brownells BRN-9 or Matador Arms uppers. Worth remains to be $324.95 for a Mil-Spec mannequin. As of this writing they’re displaying 4 to six weeks out for supply, however you possibly can pre-order. 

The Mike-15 Gen 2 Higher

For the reason that KP-15 decrease is so gentle weight I had determined that I needed an total gentle, compact construct. It might praise the truth that I may put a aspect folding inventory on this venture. I went with a Foxtrot Mike Mike-15 Gen 2 full higher with a 12.5 inch barrel and a ahead positioned, aspect charging deal with. 

Foxtrot Mike usually makes use of the .223 Wylde chamber for his or her uppers, which can work with both .223 Remington or 5.56mm NATO equally properly. Not lengthy after I received my higher I noticed that they began providing the identical arrange in .300 Blackout as properly. Had that been accessible once I grabbed my higher I’d have most likely gone with the .300 for this construct, however the .223 Wylde was effective. 

The Mike-15 higher makes use of a proprietary direct impingement system with a mid size gasoline that permits the rifle to function with out the necessity for a buffer tube. It can work with any commonplace Mil-Spec decrease. Foxtrot Mike even features a Picatinny rail adapter with the higher so can convert your fundamental decrease right into a aspect folder. You do want to make use of this adapter with the Gen 2 uppers because it has an built-in recoil buffer designed to work with the higher. That’s the explanation KE Arms gives a selected KP-15 decrease for the Mike-15 uppers as properly. 

My 12.5 inch barrel has a 1:8 twist and is produced from 41V50 match grade barrel that’s vacuum, careworn. It has a Melonite end and a burnished chamber. The muzzle makes use of a typical 1/2×28 thread and is fitted with a 4 port Micro Brake. As a result of bufferless design, the Mike-15 makes use of a proprietary bolt of 4342 vacuum handled metal with a Melonite end. FM makes use of an 11.75 inch M-LOK handguard completed in a black Kind III onerous anodizing on the 12.5 inch barrel higher. 

The Gen 2 higher makes use of a ahead mounted charging deal with. From the manufacturing facility it’s positioned on the left aspect, very similar to an HK MP5 or G3. It’s a 4 place unit although and will be switched to the appropriate aspect as properly and you may place the precise deal with within the up or down angled place. Left aspect up works for me so I left it as it’s. The charging deal with is non reciprocating so there are not any considerations with it interfering along with your most popular forend grip.

MSRP on the Mike-15 higher is $529.00, and that features the Picatinny Rail adapter. 

Magpul Inventory and Equipment

To take full benefit of the aspect folding inventory, I made a decision to SBR this construct. I may have braced it, however I needed an precise inventory. For the remainder of the construct I used Magul equipment since they have been a one cease store for what I wanted. I added a M-LOK Paraclip Sling Mount, together with a easy MS1 Lite sling. For the inventory I used the newly launched UCS aspect folder. Since this was a fairly fashionable construct, particularly in comparison with my regular retro clones, I picked up a trio of 20 spherical TMAGS and a trio of 30 spherical TMAGs.

The UCS inventory suits any commonplace M1913 Picatinny rail. So it is going to go on nearly any giant format pistol or rifle, or shotgun adapter on the market. It folds to the left aspect of the receiver and is adjustable for size of pull. Lock up is stable and it’s snug to make use of. There’s a removable cheek relaxation that snaps on. There’s a reversible QD swivel socket for sling attachment. 

With the inventory folded my FM/KP-15 is slightly below 23.5 inches in total size. With the inventory open and absolutely prolonged its 33.25 inches. You knock off 3 inches with the inventory collapsed. Weight is 6.14 kilos with sling, optic and empty journal. It isn’t the smallest SBR I’ve constructed, nevertheless it’s a superb steadiness of compactness and sensible dimension.

Gideon Optics

I’ve been working with quite a lot of Gideon Optics over the summer time, and for this construct I had an Advocate Micro Prism sight, which labored out completely. Travis Pike simply did a full overview of this optic right here on TTAG as properly. It’s a non magnified 1×20 sight with an etched reticle. The sight is produced from 6061-T6 plane aluminum with a black anodized end.The sight is shockproof to 1000G’s of power and waterproof for as much as half-hour  to 1 meter of submersion, in addition to being fog proof. It mounts to any M1913 Picatinny rail and positions the pupil centerline 1.6 inches above the rail. It really works properly on AR’s however there’s an non-compulsory low mount accessible too if that works higher on your arrange. 

It’s powered by a single CR2032 Lithium battery and has both a inexperienced or crimson reticle. I went with a inexperienced mannequin since I discover that it stands out higher towards most backgrounds. The 2032 battery offers a formidable 30,000 hours of life. Coupled with the movement activated system that powers down after 4 minutes with out motion, however wakes up instantly when movedm and also you aren’t going to be altering batteries usually. Nonetheless, I like the concept even if you happen to did run the battery dry the etched reticle nonetheless retains you within the sport.

The optics high quality on the Gideon is superb with a crisp sight image and good gentle gathering traits. The Advocate is parallax free to 100 yards and offers you a 79 foot area of view at that vary. The reticle itself is a triangle inside a circle that I discovered simple to select up and pretty exact. For quick photographs shut in, simply drop the circle or triangle on the right track. For extra exact photographs additional out use the triangle itself or the tip of the triangle as your aiming level. 

Sight in was simple too, and I didn’t have to do a lot adjustment. I’m undecided if it’s how they’re arrange from the manufacturing facility, or If I’ve simply been fortunate to date. I’ve used 4 Gideon sights over the previous few months and none of them wanted a lot adjustment. They appeared fairly properly centered proper out of the field.

MSRP on the Gideon Advocate is listed at $299.99, however they’ve been displaying on sale for $249.99. They arrive with Gideon’s lifetime guarantee too which covers absolutely anything wanting outright, deliberate abuse. 

Vary Time

I’ve had my FM/KP-15 out 3 times now and am creeping up on 500 rounds by means of it to date. Not a long run torture take a look at by any means, however to date so good. If there’s an ammo firm that wish to sponsor me I’ll gladly put 10,000 or so by means of it.

Since I received a Mil-Spec hearth management equipment in my decrease, the controls are typical AR. Nothing fancy there, which is how I prefer it. The ahead charging deal with on the higher is slick. It’s a pleasant characteristic if you happen to’re shifting from a platform that already makes use of an identical arrange and you’re used to it. Even if you happen to’re a devoted AR particular person, you adapt to it simply. 

It really works at the side of the common AR bolt maintain open on the decrease effective too. I do want you would lock the bolt again with simply the charging deal with. I discovered attempting to lock the bolt open and not using a magazine inserted slightly awkward with out an ambidextrous bolt maintain pen. FM lowers do have that, so it’s most likely much less of a problem if in case you have an all FM arrange. However if you happen to’re placing a Mike-15 in your present decrease or the KE Arms one it takes some finagling because the charging deal with and commonplace bolt maintain open are each on the identical aspect of the gun.

For testing I’ve used a mixture of 55gr, 62gr, and 77gr hundreds from quite a lot of producers each business and navy surplus. I used the Magpul TMAGs for all of my taking pictures. They labored properly with my Podavach loader. Reliability has been 100%. The mags load simply into the massive flared magazine properly and lock in with out subject. They drop free easily throughout reloads as properly. Having the ability to visibly verify the loaded standing on the TMAGs, and basic spherical rely, is helpful as properly. 

The FM higher and Gideon optic make a superb pair and taking pictures tight teams out to 50 yards was simple with greatest teams sitting proper round an inch, and nothing greater than 2 inches accounting for referred to as fliers. Previous 50 yards the non magnified optic and my mid 50’s eyes begin to permit issues to open up a bit, however the mechanical accuracy of the higher is there. With that mentioned, I can hit the metal gong on my membership’s 300 yard vary greater than not with this arrange. From a bench with a sandbag relaxation that’s. I’m undecided precisely of the dimensions nevertheless it’s most likely a 15 inch or so gong. Not unhealthy for a 12.5 inch barrel .223 Wylde. 

A Completely Fashionable Package deal

The mix of the KP-15 Facet Folding decrease and the Mike-15 Gen 2 higher make for a modern arrange. Significantly with the 12.5 inch barrel and Magpul UCS sidefolder, this makes for an ideal truck gun. The brief total size would make it helpful getting out and in of a car, and for clearing inside buildings as properly. I’m pleased with the Gideon Advocate prism sight on it too. It does add a lot bulk or weight to the construct and I discover the reticle very simple to make use of. The truth that it isn’t solely depending on batteries lets me skip including again up irons too. I don’t count on anybody to expire and do a clone of my construct precisely, however I can say that if you happen to’re fascinated by your personal construct the entire issues I put into mine labored nice collectively.