Carbine: Prepare Your Firearm Before Class

Our instructors spend a significant amount of time during Basic Carbine classes resolving student equipment issues. In doing so, we lose time that would otherwise go toward instruction. Please read this guide carefully before class so you can resolve equipment issues in advance. You'll get far more out of your training time if you (and the instructors) are not fighting with your firearm.

AR Configuration

California law limits AR-pattern rifles to two legal configurations. Both create some drag on how efficiently you can run the carbine.

1) Featureless configuration: You can change magazines normally, but you may have difficulty operating the safety with either the featureless fin or a non-vertical pistol grip. I prefer the fixed-mag configuration below because I want to run the gun as intended: wrapping my hand around the pistol grip and operating the safety as it was designed.

2) Fixed-magazine configuration: Reloads are more complex under this setup. Many students install a Juggernaut "Hellfighter Mod Kit" in the belief that it will be helpful; however, we consistently run into problems with students who have it installed. We DO NOT recommend it. One feature of Hellfighter kit — a replacement rear takedown pin — protrudes noticeably on the left side of the lower receiver near the safety lever and interferes with the operation of the safety. If you're running a fixed-magazine, we recommend the simple Gen 1 kit from AR Maglock instead. With this kit, you can either keep your factory rear pivot pin or swap it for the AR Maglock replacement pin. Both options keep the area above the safety clear so you can manipulate it without interference.

Charging Handle

We recommend upgrading to an ambidextrous charging handle, preferably the Radian ambidextrous charging handle.

Radian Raptor Charging Handle

Safety Selector

An ambidextrous safety is worth having if:

• You're left-handed, or

• You have a California-compliant "fin" installed on your pistol grip.

Otherwise, a standard single-sided safety (on the left side of the AR) is all you need. If you already have an ambidextrous safety installed, you're welcome to use it in class, but consider exchanging it with the single-sided version when it's convenient to do so.

Bolt Catch

Your mil-spec bolt catch is adequate for class. When it's convenient, we recommend upgrading to a Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch. "BAD Levers" are not permitted in our classes. Please remove these before you arrive.

Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch

Hand Guard Accessories

Vertical fore grips, angled fore grips, and hand stops add little to no functional value. If you already run one and prefer to keep it, that's fine. Just know that I will tell you it's worthless when I see you in class.

Sling

We recommend a Viking Tactics 2-point sling, though other quality two-point slings on the market will also work. Attach the sling at two points: 1) the muzzle end of the hand guard, and 2) toward the rear of the buttstock. Please arrive to class with your sling already installed. Our instructors want to start class on time, and can't do that if they're helping students complete tasks that should have been handled at home.

Viking Tactics Sling

Magazines

We've seen a number of magazines cause problems in class. Please don't bring:

1. Hexmags

2. Shortened 10-round-capacity magazines

3. Coupled magazines (i.e fill with ammo from both top and bottom)

For California-compliant use, we recommend Magpul PMAG 10/30 magazines which are full-size 30-round-body magazines internally pinned to 10 rounds. These are also widely available at local gun stores.

PMAG 10/30

Lubrication

Lubricate your bolt carrier group and charging handle before arriving to class. Your carbine can run "dirty and wet," but not "dirty and dry" so reapply oil during the lunch break. I've used Militec-1 Lubricant for decades with excellent results.

If you have any questions, contact dan@paladin-tactical-us.com

Check out the schedule of upcoming carbine and shotgun classes!