I'm a believer in purpose-built weapons, so I didn't want to screw around with conversions. .22 conversions can be problematic under the best of circumstances and I suspect that such a conversion on a piston upper will only be more so...sort of a double compromise in intended function. While some conversion kits work more reliably than others, many or most of them are kind of a kludge with a series of workarounds that represent compromises in design and function. Besides, if I spot a critter out in the yard that I need to shoot (muskrats come to mind), I didn't want to grab a rifle and then have to convert it on the spot to a .22 so I don't have any 5.56 rounds flying around the neighborhood or across the lake. My approach was to just buy a dedicated .22 in AR style. IMHO, state of the art there are the Colt .22's at Colt .22 Tactical Rimfire | M4 & M16 Rimfire Rifles | Powerful & Cost Efficient. They're made by Walther and are very well-made. Although they definitely prefer the higher-velocity rimfire ammo, mine has been very reliable and very accurate.

Mac, what do you think about BCM uppers? They appear to be fairly priced and I have read good things, just wondering what your thoughts are on them.

Top-notch. BCM is a quality company with exceptional customer service. I don't have any of their complete uppers, but I've used their barrels in almost every rifle I've ever built.

Good to know. That's what I've read.

I think I might put together my own lower and use a BCM (mostly) completed upper. I'd just need to add a BCG and charge handle. I've read good things about the BCM BCGs as well.

Spike's Tactical looks very good as well, and a little cheaper than the BCM. But from what I can tell from the chart that brian0128 linked to me they are built and tested to the same specs.

(If you can't tell, I really want to put one together :icon17: )

The BCM BCG's are excellent. They're all I use. Daniel Defense is also good.

When it comes time to build your lower, consider checking out G&R Tactical. Grant puts together a really excellent lower parts kit, and you can mix and match. For example, if you'd rather use a MOE grip instead of a standard USGI. I've seen a number of LPKs where one or more items were out of spec. Safety selector tends to be the prime offender. I have gone to using the Battle Arms Development Ambidextrous Safety Selector (B.A.D.A.S.S.) and they are a vast improvement over the standard selector included in a standard LPK. I prefer to use thumb to switch safe->fire and index finger to switch fire->safe, so the ambidextrous feature is useful to me as well.

Spike's -- I don't know. They look good on paper, customer service is reputed to be good...I'd be inclined to say they are probably good to go.

Charging handle -- BCM Gunfighter is the only way to go. Look carefully at the size. My preference is the Mod 3. The Mod 4 sticks out too far for me and wears a hole in my chest rig.

Thanks, Mac. This is going to be fun. :)

I didn't even know they made ambi safes for AR's.. that's awesome...

I'm a fan of Daniel Defense LPK's and a Geissele SSA trigger. Check out Noveske's new forged lower. Very tits.

BCM has awesome barrels. Hammer-forged is a decent and cheap upgrade. I'd pick that over the regular ones they offer, although those are awesome, too.

LPKs are a crap shoot in my experience. Out-of-spec bolt releases and safety selectors are not uncommon. I don't usually buy complete LPKs since I have no interest in the included grip and safety selector. I buy the parts I need individually from Brownells or someplace. I don't worry about DPMS springs and detents, but I usually buy the machined parts from Colt (maybe High Standard) and my selectors are all B.A.D.

Standard LPK fire control groups are variable, but typically not very crisp triggers. All of my rifles have SSA's on them and they are excellent. It's not necessarily where I'd recommend people start on their first build, however -- it's kind of a luxury upgrade IMHO. Spending that kind of money for it right off the bat may not be the best choice. I bought my Noveske with the SSA installed - really liked it. Then, my local dealer, who's also a friend, was at SHOT this year and Giessele was selling them for $120 each at the show so he picked up 3 others for me (and a hat :icon17:). I'm all-Giessele all the time now. Very nice triggers. I was reminded that even a quality LPK can have a crappy trigger as I was dry-firing my buddy's new Noveske.

I agree about the BCM barrels. My SBR's are both BCM...one is standard and the other is BFH...and they've been fine. Next time, though, I'm going to go Centurion. The reason I went with BCM is they're the ones that had 11.5 inch barrels, but I see that Centurion does too and I note that they're double chrome-lined like Noveske's steel barrels. Probably overkill, but then so is synthetic oil in a 370Z ;) .

My buddy just bought a new Noveske Light Recce. The new lower is very nice. He hasn't shot it yet, hopefully we'll be able to get out this afternoon if our schedules mesh. I have a new optic (Aimpoint PRO) and have some serious zeroing to do in prep for an upcoming course. I also switched out my chest rig mag pouches (again) and need to see how those work. As always, I want to do everything I can to avoid being "that guy". These high-level training courses with cops can be pretty testosterone-laden.

I agree, except that I feel a good trigger is more important on a first rifle than the 2nd or 3rd...

It allows a novice to learn how to properly squeeze a crisp trigger and how things should feel. Then when they get a mushy one, they at least can practice the fundamentals and make up for the deficiency of the equipment.

Just my .02

Hey guys I'm going to apologize right off the start and say this topic has probably been beaten to death. If it has just yell at me haha, but I wanted to seek out the opinion of you all vs. a gun forum.

I'm looking to purchase my first .9mm in the next month or so. Quick background, I am not new to guns I grew up with them and already own a few. However this will be MY first 9mm.

I am only interested at this point in time between either a glock 17/19 (haven't quite decided which size I like better) and the XDM 9.

I have shot all three of these a fair amout (around 400-500 rounds through each) and have also shot in comparison the M&P 9 and the PPQ. I am fortunate that a range close to me rents a various assortment.

Now comes the hard part... I shoot relatively tighter groups at 10-15yds with the springfield and about the same at 7 yds with the trio. They're all comfortable and like how they feel in my hand. I prefer the springfields look to the glock.

So sorry for all the probably unnecessary background, I come to you on opinions of overall quality and how long it will last with putting a good amount through it. I am not using this gun as a carry or anything of that nature. Strictly recreational. Any experiences or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all and again sorry this is so long to ask a pretty simple question, just thought it might help to see where I'm coming from. :tiphat:

It seems like you really like the XD. It looks best to you and you shoot it best. I would go for it.

I am partial to Glocks (I carry a G26) but I like the XDs as well.

Hey dude haven't seen you in a while.. well mainly cause I'm never here anymore lol. How's business going for you?

Yea I would say I am partial to the XD. A little pricier but comes with more stuff too hahaha.

But glocks have a proven track record thats hard to contend with. Decisions decisions

:hello: Things are going fairly well. :tup:

You said you were planning on recreational use only, so I wouldn't be too terribly concerned with reliability. That said, it seems like the XD series is on par with Glock in terms of reliability and durability, so I wouldn't worry about an XD.

Oh I so wish i could get an XD"M" version here in cali. :mad: