Words and pics: Tan_Rifle

So I’ve made a couple of important updates to my Tan Rifle. You can read the initial instalment about my clone correct CAG blaster here, on The Reptile House.

Surefire 556RC

For readers outside the US, I’ll start with the process of getting a tax stamp approved for my Surefire can.

Tax stamps are fairly simple and straight forward. Both having a short barreled rifle (SBR) and a suppressor require one. For the suppressor you first purchase it, it is then sent from the manufacturer or out of state dealer to a dealer in your state via Form 3. Once it arrives to your dealer, or if you purchase one already at an in state dealer you file a Form 4. The Form 4 includes all the info required to purchase a firearm plus you send it in duplicate with photos of yourself; and you must sent a third copy with photos to your CLEO – Chief Law Enforcement Officer – of your county. Then two sets of fingerprints must also accompany the duplicate F4s to the ATF.

All in all it took 30 days for my Form 3 and 5 months for my Form 4. Once it was approved my dealer called me and I went and picked it up my Surefire 556RC.

SBRs differ only slightly in that you file a Form 1 on a lower you already have and once it is approved you can then use short barrels.

There are a lot more details I won’t bore the reader with, but if you’re really curious all the info can be found on the BATFE’s website.

EOTech

As far as why I went back to the EOTech setup it was a mix of things. Mainly it being a cooler and rarer piece than the vortex in my opinion, as I only know a handful of guys with tan Wilcox kits. Then there was the LPVO being the jack of all trades, master of none. It’s not as good as a red dot or a higher magnification scope, but it does both jobs somewhat well. I like the Vortex a lot, the glass was great despite the weight and the eye relief and eye box were very generous. It just wasn’t as nice for cqb, fast paced drills, or things of that nature. Plus trying to shoot passively through it with NODs was a nightmare, doable, but a nightmare.

In the end there is no real perfect solution, every different optic has pros and cons. Between it being the most “clone correct” setup and me just liking it a lot I’ll probably stick with the EOTech for a while.

Parts List

VCAS 2-point sling, non-padded, Multicam

Magpul CTR, FDE

HK receiver extension, milspec, reanodized

HK MR556 lower receiver, reanodized, remarked HK416D

HK v4 grip, RAL8000

HK trigger guard, reanodized

Colt lower parts kit, modified FA fire selector

ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger, 4.5lb spring

HK416 buffer and spring

HK416 AI OTB upper receiver, reanodized, remarked BD

HK416 bolt carrier group

HK416 polymer ejection port cover, RAL8000

Geissele Airborne Charging Handle, DDC

Wilcox Industries .410 set screw riser kit, tan

Wilcox Industries magnifier flip-to-side mount, right-handed, tan

L3 EOTech XPS2-0, tan

L3 EOTech G33 magnifier, tan

KAC micro front buis

KAC micro 600m buis

HK416 10.4″ barrel

HK416 10″ vented gas block

Geissele HK 10.5″ SMR, DDC

L3 ATPIAL, AN/PEQ-15

SureFire M600C, tan

SureFire SFCT-FH556

SureFire SOCOM 556RC

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