CCA Newsletter - Controlled Chaos Arms

CONTROLLED CHAOS ARMS
CCA Newsletter
November 2012
Get your weapon now from CCA!
Whether it is one of our AR15 packages, a refinish
job on your favorite handgun, a complete 1911
build from the ground up, or modifying your
Glock for carry or competition, we have you
covered. Check out our many services now and
get ahead of the rest by buying the best. Lots of
folks imitate our work, but they all fall short. Buy
from the best and you’ll get the best. CCA...
Jill… You’re one of our favorites. Thanks for
modeling our CCA built 50Beowulf so superbly!
CCA Hide and Seek—inspired by little KK.
My daughter’s idea to play hide and seek on our website was pretty inspiring,
especially from a 3yr old. Hidden on our website is a pink breast cancer ribbon.
Each month we’ll boost Breast Cancer Awareness by hiding the pink ribbon
somewhere on our website. Be the first to find the ribbon, use our site’s contact tab
to tell us where you found it, and you’ll get 50% off your next Cerakote coating job.
CCA—Defensive Edged Weapons Course—12-1-12—Room left. Sign up now!
In a nutshell, our Training Manager, Keith Romp, wrote a think piece on pocket knives some time
ago and it inspired a course. We both sat and watched folks walk by and counted how many knife
clips we saw in pockets as folks passed by... It was staggering. TONS of people carry a knife for
utility purposes and self defense. Far more do so than carry a gun in nearly all cases, yet none of
these people are trained to use the knife defensively.
Most folks have opted for a poor choice in an edged weapon, fewer yet know how to carry the
weapon they chose for quick deployment for use or a deterrent, and fewer yet could open it and use
it while rolling around on the ground with an attacker. Most would manage to cut off a finger or
two at best. We'll train you up. All you need is the willingness to learn and the proper clothing to
do so... We have all the training/dummy knives, and we'll take you through it from front to back.
There are no other qualified instructors in the state, so learn from the best and utilize a valuable
skill... Course description, HERE. Registration, HERE.
Controlled Chaos Arms Training Page
Controlled Chaos Arms Contact Link
CCA Trainers Notes—Brought to you this month by Rick Largesse
We receive constant correspondence asking questions
about the equipment we use, so I've put together this
build sheet for my "go to" carbine. It does no good to
simply run through a list of equipment without an
explanation of why it was selected. We have to examine our gear selection critically, to avoid the pitfall
of bolting every piece of "tactical crap" onto our rifle
and turning a lightweight carbine into a tactical boat
anchor. Let's first establish that training trumps gear
EVERYTIME. There is no piece of kit that will overcome a lack of training. Another important concept to
understand is that the mission dictates the tactics/
gear. We choose the equipment that helps us best accomplish our intended goals. Ultimately, the more rounds
we put downrange in practice, the better we will know our weapons system. Once you learn these subtle nuances, you can then determine what parts to change in order to increase your effectiveness with the weapon
system. These factors are what makes the end product unique to the shooter. Much like training and tactics,
there is no "Gospel", but I will explain what I use and why I use it. With my ultimate goal of creating a lightweight, maneuverable carbine that is combat accurate and most importantly reliable, this is what I ended up
with.
I started with a Bravo Company BFH 11.5" chrome lined barrel, bolt carrier group, and upper receiver. This is
a stout barrel profile that will withstand full auto fire. At the present time I have 12000 rds through this barrel
and have yet to see a degradation in accuracy. I selected the 11.5" barrel as it provides a good compromise
between size and muzzle velocity. That is to say, it is short enough to be handy inside houses and vehicles, but
is not so short as to cause a drastic loss of muzzle velocity which would subsequently result in poor terminal
ballistics. This is mated to a DDLES billet lower that was made select fire in-house at CCA. This was prior to
our custom lowers and I really like the style of the product, including and integral trigger guard and slight
bevel on the magwell.
The lower is fitted with a Geissele SSF fire control group. This is the select fire version of the SSA trigger. I
like the 2 stage trigger for "run and gun" type shooting, but also for slow fire marksmanship. This trigger is not
a "hair trigger". When measured with a trigger gauge it breaks at exactly 4.5 lbs with NO creep. This is only
slightly under the acceptable weight for a milspec trigger and still well within the safe range for combat triggers. Geissele triggers are unrivaled in quality and reliability. I have seen numerous after market triggers fail,
but have yet to see a Geissele that isn't 100% reliable. The lower is also complete with a LMT SOPMOD
Stock. I like stocks with storage compartments for essential items. Mine contains CR123 batteries on one side
and a small oiler pen on the other. I also like the way this style stock encourages a positive cheek weld.
I like ergo pistol grips for a couple of
reasons. I like the texture for a positive
grip in all weather situations and with or
without gloves. I also like the length of
pull, which gives me proper placement of
my finger on the trigger. While discussing the grip of the weapons system, this
brings me to the handguard. For proper
placement of the support hand, I like a
full length forend. Ultimately I would
like something in the 13" range, but that wasn't possible with this build. I went with a 10" Larue quad rail as it
gave me the most rail space for accessories and hand placement. I selected the Larue because of the build quality and small circumference. Personally I don't like big, bulky handguards. I like one that I can get my hand all
the way around for more support while shooting. Attached to the handguard is a Gear Sector handstop and
SureFire m600 Scout light w/ SR07 pressure pad in a Gear Sector offset mount. The handstop adds no bulk to
the forend and encourages consistent support hand placement, by offering me an index point for my little finger when establishing my support hand grip. The SureFire light is bomb proof and has taken a beating by being next to the muzzle brake, but keeps right on going. It is mounted in the Gear Sector offset mount because it
is the lowest profile mount I could find. By keeping the forend low profile, I keep from getting snagged on
things and can transition to support shoulder while maintaining consistency in support hand placement and
weapon light manipulation.
For sighting equipment on this rifle, I opted for a Aimpoint Comp M3 with 2 MOA dot and KAC micro BUIS.
Truth be told, I own both Aimpoints and EOtechs. I like the Aimpoint reliability and battery life and the
EOtech reticle. I chose the Aimpoint simply for reliability. I prefer the 2 MOA dot which allows for a little
more precision at distance. The Aimpoint is in a Larue mount. This is because the Larue mount is quick detach
for maintenance purposes, but is also rock solid with nothing to loosen under fire. My optic selection is backed
up my KAC micro flip sights. I went with this because they are the smallest BUIS available and can be adjusted on the fly with no tools. I found that other BUIS on this rifle interfered with placement of my support hand,
so I was excited to find the KAC sights which are almost unnoticeable when folded down.
To secure the rifle for weapon retention purposes I have two sling options. As we discussed earlier, the mission dictates the gear/tactics. While I generally advise against single point slings, if I'm only going to be in the
rifle for a short time, such as on and entry, I will use a bungee single point sling attached behind the receiver.
While this sling setup offers me the most flexibility in weapon manipulation, it is also the least secure. After
you run downrange in a one point sling while deploying your secondary, you and your nuts will quickly see
the downside to this set up. Anytime I will be in the rifle for any longer than an entry, I will use a VTAC padded two point adjustable sling. This setup offers quite a bit of range of motion and also allows the user to tighten or loosen the sling based on the task at hand.
Finally, we have muzzle devices. I selected a AAC muzzle brake and AAC M4-2000 suppressor. The muzzle
brake allows for fast follow up shots due to decreased recoil and muzzle rise. This device is not pleasant on
those around you. As the shooter I don't notice a huge increase in noise or concussion, but standing next to it
SUCKS! This is something to be considered. We all know guns are
loud and we should be wearing ear PRO at all times, so for me this is Weapon Specifications:
a non issue when shooting alone. Now operating in a team environ BCM BFH 11.5" upper
ment is a different story. If operating in that capacity, I throw on the
suppressor. I chose the M4-2000 because it is full auto rated for SBR  DDLES billet lower
 Ergo Grip
fire, it is quick detach, and it is not overly long or heavy.
 Larue 10" rail
So as you see, there is a method to my madness and every piece on
 AAC muzzle brake
this rifle has been carefully considered. While you first have to deter-  AAC M4-2000 suppressor
mine what items to add or subtract to your weapon system, you then
 Geissele SSF trigger
have to perform the operation. This is where I quickly realized my
 LMT SOPMOD stock
limitations. While I would venture to guess that I know more about
 Aimpoint comp m3 2moa
this platform than the average bear, I am far from a gunsmith. In years  Larue M68 CCO
past I have attempted and failed at doing some of my own shade tree  KAC front and rear Micro
gunsmithing, costing me time and money in the long run. I figure by
BUIS
the time I screw it up or break it, I'm money ahead to have a compe SureFire M600 Scout w/
tent gunsmith do it to begin with. With a complex system such as the
SR07 pressure pad
AR-15, you can't always just change a part and expect it to jive with
 Gear Sector offset mount
the rest of the system. The things we tinker with might not always
 Gear Sector Handstop
work in conjunction with other parts. This is where a top notch gun Single Point Sling Mount
smith comes in handy.
 KZ single point bungee sling
 VTAC adjustable 2 point
Hopefully this has answered some questions, sparked some ideas, or
sling w/QD attachment
at least initiated critical thought. Be safe and I hope to see all of you
on the range.
Rick
-
Check out this month’s CCA Video on our CCA YouTube Channel.
Controlled Chaos Arms awarded Top Coating Accolades for Cerakote Work!
CCA is building top of the line
1911 handguns and after we submitted this hand built beauty from
the shop for consideration, we
were tickled to learn this firearm
work of art was chosen as the nation’s weekly winner in late August. Often imitated, never duplicated—CCA.
See Cerakote for weapons, HERE.
CCA on the Radio LIVE… WHO 1040—Friday, November 30th—10AM Central...
WHO Radio host Jan Mickelson invited Rick and I to be guests Friday, November 30th, at 10AM
Central time. We’ll be discussing Bug Out Bags, preparedness, and things similar. Tune in locally
on 1040AM or stream it live via iheart.com by searching “WHO 1040”
Controlled Chaos Arms - Products Section
What’s that? You say you’re doing custom 1911s now? Wow… Don’t
hesitate to contact us about your custom 1911 needs. We’re using Fusion
Kits and hand fitting each piece. These are truly first rate side arms. Get in
on the ground floor of these. ———————->
<—— You’ve all seen AR15 magazines. Dime a dozen, right?
WRONG. The finest weapons built are rendered useless with a poor or
malfunctioning magazine. Instead of buying ‘no tilt’ followers that tilt,
and ‘no memory’ springs that get weak, choose a magazine that won’t
let you down. Store it loaded or unloaded. Use it hard. Enjoy troublefree operation. Most of all, enjoy a truly reliable magazine that always
works. Dave did it again folks. He came up with a dry self lubricating
follower, a twisted wire spring like those of the AK47, and a milspec
magazine body that make up the CCA Extreme Duty magazine. Get
yours now while in stock. $25 per mag or $200 for a ten pack.
Would you buy an AR15 carbine that is built to be light, durable, reliable, and contains solely top shelf parts? If so, CCA
has put together a package just for you. We’re using LMT
parts, known to be tough as nails and combat tested. This robust 16” weapon also comes with a soft case, two of our new
CCA Extreme Duty 30rd magazines, and our CCA take down
tool—everything you need to get started. This weapon system
has a list of available upgrades including the coveted Geissele
SSA trigger, MAGPUL MOE complete upgrade, and your
choice of Cerakote H Series color coatings for your upper,
lower, and barrel. $1200.00 for the complete package.
CCA Value!
Complete CCA Carbine Package Link
Controlled Chaos Arms in the Press...
Patrick and the guys at the Iowa Sportsman have me writing a series of guest articles for an expansion of their already fantastic publication. You’re welcome to read it here, but be sure and check
out their periodical and their website: www.iowasportsman.com
Yote this. Yote that. I feel a bit foolish admitting it, but I remember all too well smiling and nodding
as if I understood what the heck these guys were talking about in the local watering hole one night.
After several stories, much laughter, and a couple pops, I was able to pick up some new hunting nomenclature and learned “yote”was actually hunter speak for coyote.
While I was slow to grasp the predator master lingo, I was quick to build and utilize the necessary
weapons, equipment, and support devices for all genres of coyote hunting. I hear customers all over
the state comment on the high volume of coyotes in their neighborhoods and the reflection of my
wandering area mirrors theirs. Predator pressure is high, and coyote hunting is making quite a comeback. As such, it is high time we explored some options.
What rifle should I use? That is the most common question we get at CCA regarding coyote rigs.
There are many possible ways, but the two most common are the standard bolt action rifle and the
AR15. Both can be chambered in plenty of capable calibers that do a great job of efficiently dispatching this size game. AR15s and bolt guns alike can be chambered in speed demons like the 204
Ruger, 17 Remington, as well as old favorites like the 223 Remington. I build as many 6.5 Grendel
AR15s for yote callers as the other chamberings oddly enough, and the same customers use them for
deer hunting down south. The AR15 is limited though if you’re searching for something like the 22250 or 243. In order to implement either of these main stream chamberings, you’ll need to move up
to the larger and more expensive AR10 chassis. The AR15 simply isn’t large enough internally to
accommodate any chamberings longer than the 223 Remington. The AR10 becomes your default if
you want to run 243 and 308 overall length ammo. It isn’t that folks don’t do it, but half of what I
consider a prerequisite in a good coyote gun is light weight. The AR10 generally isn’t that light, so
the bolt guns get my recommendation in cases like the 22-250 mentioned earlier. Wildcats abound
for both, so if you can dream it, I promise you it can be done.
Both the AR15 and average bolt gun come in around the 6.5 to 8lbs depending on configuration and
barrel profile. Both are capable of fantastic accuracy, as the myth of a semi automatic weapon being
incapable of performance has long been shattered. You’re going to have to ask yourself if detachable
magazine feeding and semi auto cycling are important to the way you hunt versus hinged floor plates
and cycling a bolt by hand. It depends more so on your hunting method and comfort than it does on
weapon capabilities in my opinion.
Scopes are another subject all together. The trend is towards high magnification. I believe this is a
mistake in some cases. Quality will trump magnification every time. I’d put a 4-12x40 of quality
manufacture up against anybody using some Hubble Telescope sized 60x cheap scope, and probably
best them. It won’t matter a lick how high the magnification is if you can’t get positioned to see
through it well due to how high it sets upon your rifle. Add issues like contending with mirage stemming from high magnification, and the basic strain on your eyes to see the object, back ground, etc.
when using optics with poor glass and lacking coatings, and you’ll skip the el cheapo optics the next
time around. Even when shooting out to a mile and beyond I rarely use more than 20x while banging
steel plates. Rifle scopes with top ends more than 15x to 20x aren’t necessary in most cases and I
prefer those that can be dialed down to as little as 3x or 4x for a wide field of view and the ability to
pick up on a target quickly. Hunt at low magnification settings, and if you have the time to dial up,
then go ahead is my motto.
I do enjoy all the new reticles though. There are so many each manufacture offers now that you’re
just plain nutty not to take advantage of these. You can now utilize them for ranging purposes, bullet
drop compensation, wind corrections, and moving target leads. Granted, all the nifty uses need to
verified by range time and performance on paper. There are a handful of reticles that are a bit ‘busy’
for my taste, but the majority offer great advantages.
So be honest and ask yourself what attributes are crucial and important to you 90% of your shooting
time. Answer those questions honestly about your weapon and optics and you’ll put together a yote
buster for sure.
-Michael
Customer Corner...
One of our great customers from Nebraska had us perform a little Ted Nugent paint scheme on the stock of his
daughter’s Tikka T3 and apply pink to the barreled action to give it a personal touch. This is her first hunt
with the weapon and it was a success. Thanks for letting
CCA help make the hunt a memorable one Bill.
How about this buck for a
bow kill? Young Cooper is
wearing the proper cap for
his picture! Congrats! I
know his Mom and family
were proud of his determination and success!
Wyoming speed goats are no match
for guys willing and wanting to go all
the way! Mel and Dan are going the
extra mile with CCA built weapons to
bag that monster!
Now that’s a speed goat Dutch!
Nice poke! GAP built weapon,
CCA balanced and scoped.
Somebody looks angry...
CCA Caps—They’re in! $15 locally, $20 shipped.
Support the groups that support you folks. Join the Iowa
Firearms Coalition, the Iowa NRA state affiliate, along
with the NRA itself. Nobody gets more done to protect
your Second Amendment than these organizations.
As always you can download our monthly calendar in both the PDF form from our
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Download all the images from our page by clicking here.
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Questions or comments? E-mail us at [email protected] or call 515-344-4443
You asked, we listened. CCA now accepting Credit Cards.
We hadn’t seen a genuine need for accepting credit
cards was my standard reply to all those that asked.
Boy did I have that one wrong. We were able to apply
the same precepts I try to adhere to in business to this
as well. We were able to find a friendly processor that
was not only local but a CCA customer. This made
things quick, easy, and of high value was the relationship and dedication to service I depend on. While we
may offer payment options online eventually, we’re
accepting payment in person or over the phone currently. Let us know how we can help you.