building an HK416 clone is easy; deciding what HK416 variant you want and how close you want it to an original can send you down a rabbit hole. I made it easy and opted for a Brownells complete upper and an STS lower to build an HK416 that performs and looks like an original.

What works for one person may not work for another. Grips make a difference in weapon control and shooting comfort since the grip is one of the main points of contacts you have with the rifle.

A BBQ gun is a handgun that you show off. It’s the type of pistol that ranges in looks from ostentatious to damn gorgeous, reflecting the owner’s sense of taste and personality. It can be engraved, wear a luxurious finish, and have a grip made from exotic material.

Even though the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter adds weight and length, it may be worth it if you want to discreetly carry a 16-inch barrel AR15.

The LEVTAC-92 fits in under the Citadel brand from Legacy Sports, and it’s a clone of the classic Winchester Model 1892.

With so many aftermarket parts, it is fun to tinker with the platform. My recommendation is that if you customize — and you know you will — first determine how the rifle will be used.

With a traditional optic, you would see the clump of grass but not the coyote. With a thermal optic, that coyote can be seen as plain as day.

A bobtail modification consists of removing about half an inch of metal from the rear backstop and bottom of the mainspring housing.

When a round is fired, some of the gas pushing the bullet out of the barrel is channeled via the hole in the barrel and into the gas block then down the gas tube to the upper receiver.