OD Green AR-15

::  A custom, lightweight build

::  Outfitted for tactical classes

::  Chambered in 5.56x45mm

This build began as an attempt to replace a rifle that its owner regretted selling almost two decades ago. It was back in the mid-noughts that Jim K. built himself a custom OD green AR that he used primarily for tactical classes.

It was a 14.5-inch-barreled carbine that had a permanently attached muzzle brake, bringing its barrel to an overall length of 16.1 inches, and it utilized a rare OD green-colored quad-rail version of VLTOR’s VIS system for its upper. Like many other ARs, it was eventually broken down into individual parts and sold off when the next shiny new thing came out.

Jim now looks back at that rifle with fondness and a deep wish that he didn’t part it out. The OD green VIS upper was already rare back then, but is now almost impossible to find. We can’t blame him—handguards that featured four-sided Picatinny rails were no longer where it was at when systems such as KeyMod and m-lokcame out. But since then, retro builds have become a part of many shooters’ arsenals, and if he had to do it again, Jim would have kept his OD carbine intact.

“Looking to re-create that lost rifle, I looked for another Pic-railed VIS to base a build on,” he tells us. “Then, after seeing how much they are going for on the secondary market, I decided to head in a new direction by building a rifle that serves the same purpose my previous OD green one did, but using modern parts.

 “I’m an old guy, so I’ll start by saying that when I built that first OD green gun, Cerakote and customized colored parts wasn’t really a thing yet. You either bought parts in the color you wanted them in directly from the manufacturer or you spray-painted it.”

He adds: “People like myself, who enjoy using custom colors on their builds, are lucky things have changed over the years. I was able to take a Strike Industries stripped lower, Magpul grip, and B5 Bravo stock, all originally black-colored, and had them Cerakoted in a shade of metallic green by Rifle Supply Cerakote.”

With those parts out to Cerakote, he shopped for parts that were offered in green already. He ultimately went with a Geissele MK14 handguard in a 13.5-inch length, an Aero Precision upper receiver, and an Aero Precision Enhanced buffer tube. Each of these items come anodized green. Jim wasn’t bothered that each of the parts aren’t in the exact same shade of green. He tells us that he actually likes the look of the mismatched shades.

Also furnished in green are its Rainier Arms charging handle and a SureFire G2X Pro flashlight that he’s had for quite some time now. The flashlight is mounted in an Arisaka Ring Light Mount that is directly affixed to the m-lok handguard.

He also added green RailScales HTP Scales handguard covers in the brand’s signature Honeycomb texture. These m-lok compatible polymer rail panels help to add grip and keep bare hands shielded from heat. Mounted underneath the handguard is a matching RailScales HTP handstop.

Inside the Strike Industries lower receiver is a drop-in Hybrid 2 Stage (H2S) trigger made by Stern Defense. The H2S trigger allows for quick and accurate follow-up shots and is designed to bridge the gap between Mil-spec and high-speed competition triggers. It’s an upgrade that Jim uses on many of his ARs. He also went with a matching green Fortis SLS Fifty Mod 2 ambidextrous safety selector.

As mentioned earlier, his old carbine featured a 16.1-inch barrel including the perm-attached muzzle device. He wanted to replicate that overall length with an up-to-date barrel assembly and found the Aero Precision mid-length gas system barrel.

This 14.5-inch-length barrel comes with a VG6 Gamma 556SL muzzle device permanently attached to it, which adds to overall weight savings and a slightly shorter length. The Aero Precision upper receiver also houses an Aero Precision BCG and is charged using a Rainier Arms Avalanche ambidextrous charging handle.

“I’m no spring chicken anymore,” Jim says. “Taking classes under the hot sun is a thing for youngsters, and—unfortunately for my body—I’m still going at it. If I can shave a few ounces off this rifle and increase my stamina, I will. The barrel is a straight shooter and the muzzle brake keeps the shots nice and flat. I really like it a lot.”

Moving to the top of the rifle, we spotted a set of Midwest Industries fixed iron sights. Jim’s an old school guy and he likes having them as a point of reference for his Siopto Scouter red dot optic. Jim tells us that the Siopto is an unmagnified, 1x red dot that serves its purpose well in medium to short ranges.

Other than the color, the final result isn’t much like the old rifle he misses and looked to replicate, but he likes it nonetheless.

He leaves us with some parting words of wisdom: “Lesson learned; don’t go and sell off items because of the latest craze. If there’s something that you like that works for you, hang on to it. You may not be able to replace it in the future.”

Jim has taken his new OD green rifle to a variety of tactical classes and he’s pleased with its performance. But will he hang on to it when the next big thing comes along? We imagine he will. 

Build Sheet – OD Green AR-15

Specifications

Caliber: 5.56x45mm
Capacity: 30 +1 
Min. Length: 32 in
Max. Length: 35.25 in. 
Barrel Length: 16.1 in. 
Coatings: Various greens including custom metallic green Cerakote by Rifle Supply Cerakote

Featured Accessories

Optic: Siopto Scouter red dot
Optic Mount: Siopto Scouter
Barrel: 14.5” 5.56 GOV CMV, mid-length w/pinned VG6 Gamma 556SL
Handguard: Geissele Automatics MK14, 13.5”
Receivers: Aero Precision upper, Strike Industries lower
Weaponlight: SureFire G2X Pro

Parts & Accessories: Stern Defense H2S drop-in trigger, RailScales HTP Scales, Fortis SLS Fifty Mod 2 safety selector, Strike Industries Ultralight pivot/takedown pins, Rainier Arms Avalanche ambidextrous charging handle, Aero Precision OD green anodized Enhanced Carbine Buffer Kit, B5 Bravo stock, Arisaka Ring Light Mount, Midwest Industries Combat front & rear fixed sights, Strike Industries AR Enhanced castle nut & extended end plate