Overview

Intent

The question that popped in to my head was: What single rifle could I take with me in a SHTF scenario, that could serve defensively and still put food on the table? Here are some of my initial considerations going in to this project:

• Rifle: I needed something semi-budget friendly but reliable. As this was going to be have a defensive roll, it needed to have ambidextrous controls, to the greatest extent. It also needed a non-milspec trigger for fast follow-up shots and easier shots at small targets.
• Caliber: For defensive purposes, the smallest I wanted to go was 5.56, with the largest being .308. For small game, I really didn’t want to go above .22lr so that it wouldn’t destroy all the usable parts.
• Optic: It needed to have exposed turrets so that I could dial for different distances/windage. It also needed to have variable magnification for close to medium range, and small to medium targets.

Costs

Item: Palmetto State Armory PA15
Price: $479.99 USD
Vendor: https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-psa-pa-15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-5-56-nato-classic-ar-15-rifle-with-13-5-m-lok-rail-black.html

Item: Magpul MAG470 Stock
Price: $54.46 USD
Vendor: https://battlehawkarmory.com/product/magpul-mag470-blk-str-mil-spec-ar-15-reinforced-polymer-black

Item: Radian Raptor Charging Handle and Talon Ambi Safety
Price: $98.99 USD
Vendor: https://battlehawkarmory.com/product/radian-weapons-raptor-charging-handle-with-talon-safety-for-ar-15m16-black

Item: TriggerTech AR15 Adaptable Single Stage Trigger
Price: $204.99 USD
Vendor: https://battlehawkarmory.com/product/triggertech-ar-15-adaptable-trigger-single-stage-flat-pvd-black-trigger

Item: Vortex Spitfire AR 1x Prism Scope
Price: $179.99 USD
Vendor: https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/

Item: Primary Arms GLx 6X Magnifier
Price: $293.89 USD
Vendor: https://www.opticsplanet.com/s/primary-arms-glx-6x-magnifier

Item: Streamlight ProTac Railmount HL-X Pro
Price: $146.80 USD
Vendor: https://premiumselectsupplies.com/products/streamlight-protac-railmount-hl-x-pro-flashlights

Item: Blue Force Gear Vickers 221 Sling
Price: $113.95 USD
Vendor: https://www.blueforcegear.com/vickers-combat-applications-sling-2-to-1.html

Item: CMMG Bravo .22lr Conversion Kit with 3-25 round magazines
Price: $154.99 USD
Vendor: https://battlehawkarmory.com/product/cmmg-bravo-.22-lr-conversion-kit-w-3-25rd-black-polymer-magazines

Item: Blackdog AR-15 .22 Sonic Weld X-Form Magazine
Price: $17.95 USD
Vendor: https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/

Item: LocknLock Polypropylene Clear Storage Container
Price: $11.95 USD
Vendor: https://www.amazon.com/LocknLock-Essentials-Storage-Airtight-containers/dp/B0000AN4CP

*Prices are as of the purchase time. Prices subject to change at vendor discretion.
**Vendor(s) identified are only listed to show where I sourced the item(s) from.

My Perspective

Palmetto State Armory PA15

Prior to this, I already had the PA15 and had put about 1,000 rounds through it with no issues. For a starter rifle, it really is a great deal. Sure, it is about as bare bones as it gets, but it runs great and is a solid, cost efficient platform to build and learn from.

Magpul MAG470 Stock (optional)

This was absolutely an optional addition. For me, I really like this Magpul stock as it give me a little extra storage space for things like batteries or compact cleaning rods and oil. I like it, but it isn’t for everyone. In a pinch, the stock that comes with the rifle will work just fine.

Radian Raptor Charging Handle and Talon Ambi Safety

There are several options out there for ambidextrous charging handles and safety levers, but Radian is the best, in my opinion. They are strong, durable, and come with a lifetime limited warranty. Not that that would matter in an end of the world scenario, but if they stand by their product, so can I. I have never had a problem with any of their products and they are my go-to source for add-ons like this.

TriggerTech AR15 Adaptable Single Stage Trigger

Ah, TriggerTech. How I love what you make. TriggerTech offers several models of AR triggers, from duty to competition. For this build, I chose the middle of the line Adaptable trigger. This gives me the ability to set the trigger pull weight anywhere from 2.5lbs to 5lbs, allowing for a feel that is right for me. Additionally, it is field adjustable. Need it for duty use? Set it to 5 pounds. Time to go hunt squirrels? Set it to 2.5lbs. Not sure what the day will bring? Set it to 3.5lbs and enjoy the best of both worlds.

TriggerTech does offer single and two stage triggers, as well as options for curved and flat triggers for each model. Personally, I am a fan of single stage flat triggers. There is no movement between finger pull and trigger break. Once it hits the required pull weight, it just breaks clean. By far, the best triggers I have ever used.

Vortex Spitfire AR 1x Prism Scope

This is the part that required the most research. Due to the need to shoot multiple cartridges, at multiple ranges, I needed something with exposed turrets. Easy solution to that is a scope. But I didn’t want the weight or size of a scope. I wanted a prism optic. Something that could have a dot if batteries were around, but had an etched reticle in case there weren’t.

These VERY niche requirements almost had me giving up the search and going with a scope until I found the Vortex Spitfire AR. It checks all the boxes from prism to exposed(ish) turrets, adds the feature of being able to switch from red to green illumination, and comes from a world class vendor.

I say the turrets are exposed-ish because they come with caps, but the caps are there in case you are being extra rough with it. Unscrew the caps and you have repeatably dialable turrets, marked for MOA. The turrets offer solid clicks and I have not had any issues with repeatability of the clicks.

The only issue I have with this optic is that one of the caps is not properly threaded. When tightening it, it gets a little snug, and then feels like it is stripped and keeps spinning. I swapped caps and the same thing happens on the other side, so I ruled out it being an issue with the turret threads. Upon closer inspection, the threads are not stripped, they are just not cut enough in to the cap.

Vortex is known for, among other things like quality, their amazing warranty. I know they will take care of it, probably just ship me a new cap, but I haven’t taken the time to reach out to them yet.

Primary Arms GLx 6X Magnifier

This was a mistake. Not a mistake in the sense that I ordered the wrong thing, but in the sense that I didn’t know what I was asking for. Magnifiers behind red dots are troublesome to begin with. It is very difficult to find the right focal distance required between them, but then also find the right focus knob adjustment so that the dot is in focus both with and without the magnifier being used. Usually, you end up calling it good enough, and having a slightly blurry dot in both positions.

This issue was exaugurated by it being a 6x magnifier. While the magnifier itself is great and does exactly what it is advertised to do, the issue of finding the right setting for dot focus is brought to light even more. Don’t get me wrong. I love the magnifier and have found a new home for it, that I will talk about in another article, but it just wasn’t right for this setup. Hint, it works great behind a holographic optic.

In the end, I dropped it down to a 3x magnifier I had on hand and it is about where I want it to be: in the close enough range. Even so, weight wise, it is just about the same as some of the newer LPVO optics. You do get a bigger eye box than with an LPVO, but did I really win here?

Streamlight ProTac Railmount HL-X Pro

What good is a SHTF rifle without a flashlight? None. None at all. Flashlights are needed for everything from target identification to finding the magazine you your buddy dropped.

This model comes with several options to choose from. You can get it it with two CR123 batteries or a single rechargeable SL-B26 battery. After some research, I opted to get the SL-B26 battery and pressure pad kit. I went with the SL-B26 battery because at the end of the day, it can accept CR123 batteries as well. So for normal testing and use, I can just recharge it. For end-of-world SHTF scenarios, I have options from CR123, to recharging via solar panel.

You can also choose to get it with just the light or with a pressure pad kit. I chose to go with the pressure pad kit. With both options, the light has a button on the back of it that you can use to activate the light but the pressure switch makes it more convenient.

The thing I like the most about this light is that it has a large thumb screw on the side of the mount, allowing you to quickly detach it for use off of the item it is mounted to. It also has a pressure washer so that finger tight is tight enough to keep it from loosening on its own.

I tested it at night in my back yard and it is extremely bright and throws a perfect (for me) narrow beam with just the right amount of side splash. I am very happy with this selection.

Blue Force Gear Vickers 221 Sling

What build is complete without a sling? My go-to choice for reliability, comfort, and adjustability, is the Blue Force Gear Vickers 221 Sling. It just works. The options to choose from are color, mounting type, and padding. I went with Black, Red Swivel, and Padded. If I had to do it again, I would NOT go with the Red Swivel. While it is a cool concept to be able to quickly release the QD, in practice is is a knob that sticks out like a 6th finger. It just gets in the way. It works, but I would also be concerned about the long term durability of it. If it breaks, how would I get it off?

CMMG Bravo .22lr Conversion Kit

This is the key to the whole puzzle. The addition that allows it to go from a defensive item, to a small-game hunting capable item. I had heard of these conversion kits, and seen plenty of videos of people testing them out with great success, but I remained skeptical. I was wrong mostly wrong, and I am glad I was.

The conversion bolt is made of stainless steel and has its own recoil springs. 22lr isn’t strong enough to actuate the 5.56 buffer and spring. The whole thing comes as a single piece that does not come apart. Better for being less than delicate with it.

In testing, I found the bolt to run any .22lr round I threw at it, from bulk Federal Auto Match standard velocity, to Aguila high velocity, and everything in between. It just ran. Every 200 rounds or so, I would take it out, wipe it off, put a light coating of oil on it, and get right back at it. Perfect for the scenario I had in mind.

But, all is not well with this conversion kit. The magazines are extremely sensitive to how they are handled in the rifle. Shooting at an angle with a full magazine? The torque will cause it to misalign and cause a failure to feed (FTF). Resting the rifle on the magazine like a monopod? FTF. Using the magazine like a barricade stop? FTF. In an ideal world, these are all things you shouldn’t do anyways, but ideal worlds and SHTF worlds are VERY different worlds.

As long as I didn’t touch the magazine once inserted, it ran just fine. I did some research on this and this is a pretty widely reported issue. If I had to guess, CMMG made the magazine catch cutouts a bit wider than needed, to help cover out of spec lowers. I haven’t contacted CMMG about it yet, but I will, just to hear what they have to say. In the end, I found an even better solution.

Of note, 5.56 out of a 16″ barrel prefers a 1:6 to 1:16 twist rate, depending on the ammo and weight of the bullet used. With the most common off-the-shelf 5.56 ammo being 55 grain and the most common off-the-shelf .22lr ammo being 40 grain, this makes for an interesting predicament. The rifle used in this test came with a 1:7 twist rate. Per the chart below, this is at the bottom edge of acceptable for 55 grain, but listed as poor for 40 grain. Optimally, according to the chart, I would have a 1:12 to 1:16 twist rate barrel to perform the best with both rounds.

However, in my testing, I didn’t really find the 1:7 twist rate to be an issue. I was able to get a very consistent 1 MOA with both 5.56 to 100 yards and 22lr to 50 yards. Certainly good enough for both scenarios I had in mind. Sure, the D.O.P.E was different, but I rigged up this handy little chart that fits inside of my optic cover.

Blackdog AR-15 .22 Sonic Weld X-Form Magazine

During my research of the CMMG Bravo magazines having issues feeding, I came across a recommendation to check out these magazines. I am so glad I did. First, they work. I tried all the things I mentioned above that gave the CMMG magazines issues and this magazine laughed at me and asked for more.

There are several options available: 10 or 25 round capacities; black or smoke color; and plastic or steel feed lips. I opted for the 10 round “smoke” colored magazine. I opted for the 10 round magazine because it fit my storage plan; smoke color because it looks cool; and steel feed lips for durability.

LocknLock Polypropylene Clear Storage Container

As for my “storage plan”, I must say it came together beautifully. I got some pick-and-pull foam and a plastic waterproof box from Amazon. I fit the foam in the box and plucked it out so it fits the bolt, in a plastic bag (store it in a bag, lightly oiled, so it doesn’t rub off everywhere), along with 200 rounds of CCI Standard Velocity, and the Black Dog magazine on top.

Would I trust it to keep everything dry in the worst scenarios possible? No. Does it keep everything dry enough, organized, and consolidated? Absolutely. I keep this box in my pile of “take these” items to grab and throw in a backpack if things go sideways. Just a nice touch on an otherwise good enough build.

Other Comments

So, what’s next for this build? Well, to start over of course. While the PSA rifle is a good starter rifle, I want an upgrade. I want an SBR. I want a suppressor. Many of the accessories discussed in this article will transfer seamlessly to a shorter barrel, and it will be interested to see what barrel length/twist rate will be optimal for both scenarios.

Conclusion

Here is what I ended up with

Overall, I am very happy with the build. It is one of those things that was supposed to work ok, at best, but actually runs really good. I do still need to contact CMMG about their magazines and Vortex about the turret cap, but those are minor and easily ignorable. I do need to go back and reassess my decision on using a prism optic vs a LPVO. We will see how this build evolves.