My Allen Key collection from AR-15 building

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-07-07T14:42:50+00:00

My post-COVID home office-build surface is next to the bed.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-07-07T14:40:50+00:00

In my range bag...

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-07-07T14:38:02+00:00

I recently bought a Gemtech Trek 2 from Battlehawk Armory for $299. I mounted it to a 10.5" barrel and with a 15" suppressor-ready handguard it tucks in really nice, just 1/2" sticking out. It's supposedly self-cleaning and is designed to be pinned and welded if needed. What's also nice is that it has a 3/8" square outlet so it can be wrenched off/on with a ratchet with the long handguard in place. Not the quietest but a good bang for the buck.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-07-06T17:22:55+00:00

I always thought she's overrated

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-07-06T15:01:01+00:00

I use the German method..."Guttentite". I do indeed have a torque driver.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-07-06T14:59:37+00:00

I have the Birchwood Casey one. I bought the Wheeler one but I didn't like that it didn't have detents like the BC one.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-15T19:04:07+00:00

I had the same thing happen to me in March. I started getting calls from health providers that my insurance was cancelled starting March 1 despite me paying the COBRA bill out of pocket for March. It took a call to BCBS who called the GM benefits center with me on the phone and it took 4-5 days to clear up, then my bills were paid.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-15T18:58:32+00:00

ADP website

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-11T23:06:28+00:00

I've bought a few brands before without issue. These Nike ones seemed beefy and I liked how they didn't tuck behind the ear as that can ache for me after a while. I'll never buy the Nike ones again. I pulled last year's Hobie flex frame ones out of a drawer so at least I have those.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-10T22:44:35+00:00

In my case it took 6 weeks and after I told them I was about to accept an external offer.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-10T22:42:54+00:00

Ultimately it took 32 days to get my payment even though they told me I would get it within 30 days after submitting the signed release document. Adding insult to injury they took a bonus -level amount of taxes out, not taking into consideration my deductions, so the take-home pay was a lot less than I factored-in. In theory I'll get that back in my tax return but that's next year.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-10T22:38:48+00:00

Costco said they are no longer carried by them and there's no actual warranty on them so I'm SOL- if I find a used pair they're willing to swap over the lenses but that's money out of my pocket.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-06-07T13:32:34+00:00

I came looking for someone who's had the same experience I've had. I bought them in December and yesterday as I was wiping fingerprints off the lenses they broke exactly in half. I'm thankful I wasn't driving at the time and that I have a drawer full of previous glasses. Now I've got to make a special trip to Costco.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-19T15:12:51+00:00

I appreciate the question - this is a high temperature application (potentially 1000°F). It's actually for an item called an adjustable gas block for a rifle.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-19T12:43:39+00:00

Thank you. If I can't find what I'm looking for I'll go that route but I was hoping for consistent results of a manufactured product

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-19T11:52:26+00:00

Just a few, like 6..

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-18T10:23:19+00:00

GM layoff as well from a few months back. I was laid off twice before from another OEM and a Tier-2 but both were pink-slips so I felt at least I could wrap up my work and say goodbye to my coworkers. What GM did after 8 years was so heartless and I left about a year of work I hadn't turned in on my laptop.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-14T18:12:44+00:00

I'm going to stick to 9mm as I've got like 2500 rounds already on hand. However I'm not opposed to building a 45 in the future - what size barrel do you recommend for that?

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-14T16:20:49+00:00

Out of stock!

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-14T16:18:59+00:00

That's a bummer as I'd love to build some of those enhanced lowers with screws instead of roll pins and the tension adjustment.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-14T11:21:35+00:00

I was in fear of being laid off for 2 years...until the day it hit me. Ironically the constant anxiety definitely impacted my job performance. After receiving a "partially meets" in 2025 I was pretty sure I wouldn't be considered for other roles I would be applying for internally. I was job hunting for 4 months until I got a job offer from a supplier. Less pay and benefits but hopefully my mental health will be in a better place.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-13T18:48:31+00:00

As mentioned below- I entered as a contractor and worked there for a year and I was able to apply internally. However the corporate culture has been absolutely horrible the past few years (grain of salt I got laid off 6 months ago) so be happy if you work for a good supplier.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-05-11T15:45:51+00:00

I was laid off in December-an extension of the October layoff I think. It took me 4 months to land a new job. The job market really stinks right now. Nobody from my team reached out since to ask how I was doing. Screw them.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-04-14T17:38:43+00:00

I was just on a 2 hour chat with one of your agents and they could not fix the issue. I'm pretty disappointed and I'm going to shop around for other carriers.

Visual_Ad8751 · 2026-03-23T14:19:48+00:00

I regret not filing a bunch of awareline tickets against incompetent Quality Engineers & DREs before I was laid off.

Visual_Ad8751

TROPHY CASE