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First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!

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13 years 10 months ago #6385 by HT2
First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!! was created by HT2
I have exsperience from the Navy with big 50s and 60s, belt fed but this is my first AR. I have a stock AR 10A that I want to convert to an SASS style for hunting preditors at night on our ranch. I have several questions about the gas system, fore rail conversions to the SASS style, thermal vs night vision capable of being fitted in front of my current optics. The questions roll from there! I need some straight forward info to make my decisions in setting this rife up from someone who has done it or has a factory Armalite SASS. Like I said I am new so please pardon any blog phopaws, I have never done a "Blog" or site like this before either,
Thanks! "Clueless"

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13 years 10 months ago #6386 by foxhunter
Replied by foxhunter on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
While looking for night vision for my AR10, I had the same issue of not having the long top rail (SASS style)to put a night vision scope in front of my standard scope. Instead of adding a rail, SASS style, I went with LaRue detachable scope mount for the day scope and a night optics D740-3a night scope. It comes with a detachable scope mount and remains zeroed perfectly. it is 4 x. also available in 6x. I keep the day scope on it and for night hunting just detach the day scope and replace it with the night scope. Only takes a couple minutes. If you start hunting before nightfall, just leave the scope cover down on the D740( in bright daylight) and use your nightscope in the daylight. That also allows you to sight it in during daylight hours as I have found that paper targets don't light up very well and are hard to see past 100 yards at night.
They don't go above 6x because it adversely affects the quality of the night vision. I chose 4x for night hunting to keep the best possible light collection for the scope.
The downside is they run $4,000, but they are so clear at night you could identify Uncle Tom from uncle Joe at a hundred yards.
They are also heavy, and it is no fun scanning the countryside looking for a coyote or hog holding that heavy rig. Wish I also had a pair of night binoculars for that job, although the scope can be removed from the gun and used as a monocular.
Hope that helps.

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13 years 10 months ago #6390 by HT2
Replied by HT2 on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
Good feed back thanks! Do you find that night vision is only good out to 100yds or is it infinate like your sight durring the day? I have used gen 1 and 2 stuff in the Navy, but wasn't real impressed. I considered thermal due to the cliamate here in Oregon, WET and RIANING 24/7. I have read that with the thermal I wouldn't have the issue with visibility in fog, rain and snow. Additionaly I like to hunt big cats which are hard to see as it is, yet alone at night. I currently am considering the Night vision head gear sets for my person to verify targets, and a thermal rig up front of my day optics for the rifle. I would still like to free float the barrel on this AR - 10 A4 to an SASS style for playing tag at long distances, mounting a bipod and M6X....Besides it looks so cool! lol

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13 years 10 months ago #6391 by foxhunter
Replied by foxhunter on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
I get a very clear view with gen 3, nearly as good as daylight if there is star light and a moon, or nearby artificial light of some sort. In near total darkness you need to add a laser to help the scope. They run about $200 and add a little more wt. I would feel comfortable taking a coyote out to 200yds at night with my scope, which is the limit of my ability to make a clean shot, day or night if I have a good solid rest.
In rain, fog, snow, I would think the thermal sight would give you a better picture, but I have no experience and I have not taken my night vision hunting in those conditions. Under your conditions, thermal may be better, but it won't show you any obsticles between you and your target, like small branches that could deflect your shot. You will see those with the night scope. Also, the added laser will light up their eyes, so you can see game partially obstructed by brush.

The night vision head gear is a good idea

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13 years 10 months ago #6393 by HT2
Replied by HT2 on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
Again great feed back, thank you. I have been obsessed since getting the rifle with getting it set up,,, asking lots of people lots of questions and my reasoning of all of the input I have gotten is that you are right on as far as bang for the buck and having a competent set up. I say this paticularly because of what you brought up about in flight obstructions (Its thick here). I have esperience with "FLIR" systems. I use them in my bussiness as a private engineering inspector. The systems we use are for inspection not for firearm optics for lack of a better term. You are correct from my exsperience in that small branches though well big enough to deflect a shot, would not be so readily apparent in the lattitude of a thermal scan,,,again that is only from the systems I am familiar with that are not for firearm use but for inspection.....however I am familiar with and do know the technology/theory are the same in the two sytems. I did do some very quick reserch the other night and it appears as though the thermal systems are quite a bit more pricey...from 5-10,000.00 I am leaning twards putting both my day and night optics on GOOD and ACCURATE quick release rings as you have.....with the mentioned covers to allow for sighting in during the daylight.... Another point made that made me go "Eww yaaa?" That should get me started and I can look into something like the millitary head gear set up using an AN/PVS and an illuminator for general observation. Granted I need to look into the local hunting regulations on all this yet. We have a very large cougar/mountain lion problem in the reigon and its been pretty much open season on them for years.....but we CAN NOT use dogs for hunting them, its considered in humane,,,,but you can still hunt bob cats with dogs, thats ok. (??Scratchimg my head puzzled) Thanks again Fox!

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13 years 10 months ago #6395 by Edge
Replied by Edge on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
I think you need to sit down and really think this over. There are lots of options out there. You can have NV devices that mount to the rear of the scope (Ocular side) or you can buy one that mounts to the front of the scope (Objective side). You can buy ones that will hang off your head or helmet and there are handheld ones. There are even day/night and dedicated devices. It really comes down to what you want to do with it and your own personal preference.

You might try and contact Tactical Night Vision Company. TNVC Web Page

I think that they would be the most help for you and will help you decide what will work best for your application. Check out their web site. They sell quality stuff.

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13 years 10 months ago #6396 by HT2
Replied by HT2 on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
Your right, thats what I'm doing by bouncing this off you guys and I appreciate it greatly. What I want is the most bang for the buck pardon the cheesy pun. I want to be able to see at night things that might eat me and I dont want to get my wallet eten up by things that just dont work. Gen 3 seems to be the way to go as far as cost go's...front or back of my day optics or a night scope by itself,,,,I havent made up my mind but thanks for the link, I'm headed there now....!

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13 years 10 months ago #6397 by HT2
Replied by HT2 on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
Edge,
Thanks again! I checked out the site and thats exactly what I wanted to reserch. It looks like either way, thermal or night vision....I'm going to have to drop 3-4K to get what I need I think.. Today anyway! LOL The more I inquire the more I learn.... Love it, Thanks again!

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13 years 10 months ago #6398 by HT2
Replied by HT2 on topic Re:First Semi Auto AR - Coverting to SASS HELP!!
OK I ordered the Armalite Median Carbine free float conversion kit from Armorlite (P/N 10705323KIT) I also ordered the barrel wrench, stainless crush washer for my flash suppressor, a harris bi-pod 9-13", and quick release swivel mounts for doing the conversion. The parts are being overnighted (Because I'm an impatiant bast#$d when it come to playing with new cool stuff!). I will run another post with some pics, if I can here, of the final installation and break it all down from a neaderthals point of view..
Armalites ordering process encourages you to read the technical bulitin on the installation. In there is a complete list of instructions, parts supplied, tools supplied and tools needed. From what I see and understand from the instructions my AR 10A4 has a threaded suppressor and should not require EXSTENSIVE gunsmithing to install, just the simple hand tools called out in the technical bullitin from Armorlite..... I'll get back to you on that after I exsperience it for myself....

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