The radian set looks amazing! I've always wanted one

I’m with ya brother…my military friend who served overseas keeps reminding me that “mil-spec” is just a “blueprint” (we are carpenters that build several story hospital additions etc) and that during the build process, sometimes it’s prudent to go above and beyond the blueprinted spec for various reasons and can be notified in the “as-builds” where at the end of the project the blueprints take the additions to write over original blueprint. “Mil-spec” doesn’t mean “the best”…it’s just “within spec”. When the military was running jeeps, a trophy truck blows by em laughing holding a beer out the window. There’s better than mil-spec. All that said look into spicetac toolcraft dlc bcg’s. Price, OCKS, etc etc.

I love the SLS on my scoped rifles but for my quick acquisition rifles I use the SL moe stocks the number 1 reason I love the SL line is it has a built in spring to keep them from rattling great looking rig!!!!

Really nice build, you could always buy a 3/8 or 1/2” rail riser if you wanted to try a higher scope height just to try it out. Build it how you want to and don’t worry about what anyone thinks or says. If it runs good and reliable that’s all that matters. If you have a issue with the BCG then you figure it out. That’s what makes building these guns fun.

The receiver set is super tight by Radian's design. If you put downward pressure on the upper into the lower, and push the rear takedown pin, it'll release no issues without requiring a hammer and punch to break it all apart.

The best argument against Mil-Spec is to mention the A2 grip. Usually ends the discussion, not everything Mil-Spec is a great idea or part.

random cat meows keeping my head on a swivel! I like the in depth overview, nice to hear your take on non-milspec BCGs, for the cost of those gucci ones I could buy another pistol

I got a Geissle tri helix spring. Supposedly it lasts longer. Just wanted something durable because I've worn out two buffer springs on two separate rifles over 7years.

I have commented way too much here, but I am not good enough at YouTubing to make my own build video. What I’ve noticed though, is that here in USA, ar-15’s are a lot like racing. You got the team engineers, that are good at specs and newest techs, you got your pit crew guys, that just enjoy “the build” and tinkering and on/off parts etc. then you got your drivers who run 3 gun competitions and other type of shooting competitions. The engineer isn’t as good as the driver at shooting…and the drivers don’t know or care about parts, they just tell the engineer, “I need it to THIS” or “that faster”. I’m a shit low driver/non educated engineer/personal pit crew kinda guy. Shooting the gun is as costly as the build in many cases. By the time you’ve gone through 5k shots…unless sponsored, you’ll be at over $1k in ammo alone. Ferraris look great in a showroom all shiny, but the reason they even exist is for the world racing tours. I, personally trust the engineers at Riflespeed to understand my wants and needs to spec out an upper, and their pit crew to build it, double check it, and send it to me. If I wasn’t so adamant on adjustable gas systems, I’m sure there are many other build teams out there like focusshootingllc that are super capable of spec and build of whatever it is you want.

I do want to throw out some props to “Riflespeed” if you want gas control for suppression and a hand guard that’ll fit it, they sell a complete upper system (in all lengths, mine is 12.5”), with price points starting with a rosco barrel…all the way up to specialty criterion’s! Choices of hand guard ( I got geissele) and an aero upper receiver. Btw this is all built around the proprietary “Riflespeed” gas system that is adjustable between the end of rail and beginning of barrel threads. With a xeno adapter and sandman S …it’s insanely nice. Btw the rosco versions are about $750 built…criterion about $1k flat. They are excellent communicators and will go just about any way you want including your own parts sent to them. For $399 (I know it’s expensive, no denying) the will test fire and get all bugs out before shipping. I wanted my sionics bcg properly headspaced to my rosco K9 sage, and they also checked my toolcraft dlc backup bcg also. All bolts were torqued and marked. All I did was attach it to my aero lower and done!!! (I run v7 2055 buffer tube cuz it’s 11 positions and LIGHT!) with an H2 and V7 ambi 3 gun titanium 90/57 safety. And a magpul BAD lever cuz I’m righty and don’t want anyone playing with my gun…especiallly some southpaw!!! Raptor sd with np3 slide and black handles. LaRue mbt-2s straight bow trigger. Magpul mags.

I’m behind the times but I run a sionics np3 bcg….and have a toolcraft dlc 9310 bcg in the grip hideaway. And 18650 (charged up rechargeable) on one side of str…and 123 disposables onthe other side. I’m looking at the newer ACS stock, to keep my batteries…but add some skittles or pouch of big league chew, while waiting on 4 legged creatures.

How is the barrel fit? Do you need a torch? I just got my radian lower considering getting the upper cause its "pretty" lol...but if the barrel goes in by hand I think ill pass

Based on my understanding, take with grain of salt. The uproar around the BCG is explained by KZfaqr School of the American Rifle...BCGs are made by a few manufacturers which makes them to certain specs to produce mainly phosphate coated with chrome lined. The coating and lining seems to add more material than the others mentioned, which means the others will generally end with looser tolerances.

Hopefully, this comment doesn't get deleted like my last couple of replies. lol, it is an incredibly expensive hobby haha. Love that you went with the Sharps. There are too many good choices of BCGs, from JP to LMT, to Sionics and Rubber City Armory. I'm happy that you experiment around and not just get mil-spec stuff. Hodge is way overrated. Proof is excellent for competition, most of the top guys who run 3gun use them, with excellent accuracy except many claim shorter than usual barrel life. A Compass Lake Criterion or Douglas is a very good buy if you want accuracy, and obviously, a Kreiger or Bartlein is probably the best you can get. I think you'll be very happy with your 14.5" Criterion Core. Geissele SSA-E and SSA triggers can often be had for $140, I just picked up 3 SSA-E's from Palmetto State Armory's valentines sales. But I'm happy you went with Hiperfire. The installation of Hiperfire triggers has always kept me away from them, but I'm looking to try out new triggers, from the Radian Vertex (Timney) to the Triggertech Diamond, and many more. I just want to try out triggers that are not the SSA-E or Larue MBT haha, so I'll definitely look into this Hiperfire trigger. Have you ever tried out the Mantis Blackbeard Training System? I want to get one to dryfire with. I'm also getting a Credo, and would love to hear your experience with it when you shoot this. I hear they are really good glass, but that on 6x it's not as clear. I think you got a pretty good deal on this, and on your build overall. I'm really happy for you, you have your Radian build! Great content as always.

I bought a builder set from them. Waited 7-8 months to get it. My only gripe is that hammer pin, while KooL, walks out of my Geissele SSA-E, put the G hammer pin back in. Also I don't really care for the handguard, not my style, nothing wrong with it. I prefer Midwest Ind. 7sided mlok stuff.

When you installed your handguard, did you notice any side to side play before tightening it down? Mine did and either the handguard or upper face wasn't squared off correctly and the handguard had some noticeable shift. Ended up selling my kit due to Radians lack of a timely response.

Hop just hates everything… including himself 😂

Really only thing I’m on the fence about is swapping from my Holosun 503g acss with pa Pegasus 3x…to a good lpvo??? Replies for each please. I already own and run the holo/pa mag situation.

Hi there. How is your build going? Decided to build my first AR and got the Radian Brown kit, looks so freaking awesome. I also went like you on the buffer and stock system and a Rise Armament RA-535 single stage trigger, which is sweet. On the fence between a Cryptic or Radian BCG. I contacted Radian to see if they could sale me one of their barrels but you already know the answer. They did recommend criterion barrels though as they personally used them. I contacted criterion customer service about their barrels but they never answered emails, heard customer service sucks, what’s your experience with them? Have you ever heard about Stretch 16 barrels? Sorry for the long comment but couldn’t figure out how to send a private message. Looking forward to seeing your radian kit finished. Is taking all of my hooker’s allowance but I don’t regret a single penny and will be able to hug it and kiss it. Thank you for the video, very informative.

you should check out Modern armory BCG, its very solid and not that bad of a price

May I ask where you found that sl-s stock for $55, I’ve been looking and haven’t seen them below $70.

Love my credo 1-8

Hop hates the SL-S but loves the SL

Try the Unity fast lpvo. It’s $300 but I think the height is 2.05

Castle nuts are supposed to be staked. Sure you can take one off but they’re not designed for you to take them off and on all the time. Not sure why you would want to or need to anyway.

BCM uses a microbest. You can get a microbest bcg right around 100 and they'll last

Did you get the 14.5 barrel

How does it shoot w/o a barrel?

Mil spec just means "cheap enough for the government"

I’m using ripcord Gass hole gasblock

Sionics NP3 BCG is where it’s at.

Woulda been cool to actually SEE the whole rifle but…

Why buy a radian and cheap out on an optic?!?

I’ve never seen an upper/lower set where you have to hammer out the takedown pins. Thank you for the warning never to buy a Radian setup, for as much as I take off the upper receivers and play with the bolt carriers. I actually use many Radian parts on builds and their stuff is usually perfect. Just not the upper and lowers.

Sigh. Everything is BASED on milspec. If you want to talk about non milspec look at the ar-10. That 3k rifle is great but a $500 ar can do everything that can do. The main difference is the look. The radian can make you faster at getting back in the fight. Milspec is about the way it is made the mating of the upper and lower the design of it. That ar 15 is the same as a ar-15 made by knights. Milspec has to do with military specifications how they wanted it. The weapon needed to be fired when wet when sandy when muddy. Look at the sig rifle that could not be adopted by all troops because it would fail in mud they need a rifle that an 18 y/o can can drop it in the mud and it not fail. And yes you can spend $500 on an ar and beat any Gucci ar 15. With all that said my build is at 4k so 😒 yea expensive hobby. Not to mention the mags the plate carriers the pouches or the ammo. Great video not trying to flame you just letting you know. Ar 10 is not milspec that is why you kinda have to buy the upper and lower together or there is 100% chance they will not mate. Take any ar-15 upper and lower and they will mate. Maybe one needs a proprietary rail but the upper and lower will always mate that is millspec. Hope that makes sense. Please exspand on my short definition of milspec if need be. But that is the jist.

Get a Criterion

No safety check Safety on fire mode..

am i the only one who deosnt really like the upper receiver? I almost bought one but didnt liek the upper receiver