Three Custom ARs: Stormtrooper, Lady Luck, and The Hunter Photo Gallery

Published Nov 27, 2019 8:05 PM

three custom ar rifles
These three rifles were built during the creation of Range365’s complete instructional guide to building AR rifles. Stormtrooper is a minimalist .223 Wylde lightweight rifle with a R365 themed white and blue Cerakote finish; Lady Luck is a precision rifle in 6mm Creedmoor built for competition with a WWII aviation themed Cerakote, and The Hunter is a big bore .450 Bushmaster thumper meant for the deer woods and finished with a Vietnam-era tiger stripe camo Cerakote job. Cosmo Genova
The pre-assembly lower receiver of the 223 Wydle “Stormtrooper” rifle.
The pre-assembly lower receiver of the 223 Wydle “Stormtrooper” rifle. Cosmo Genova
The pre-assembly upper receiver of the 223 Wydle “Stormtrooper” rifle.
The pre-assembly upper receiver of the 223 Wydle “Stormtrooper” rifle. Cosmo Genova
The completed Stormtrooper rifle, before it went to FSG Custom for it’s Cerakote finish.
The completed Stormtrooper rifle, before it went to FSG Custom for it’s Cerakote finish. Cosmo Genova
The rifle is topped with a EOTECH Model XPS2 Green holographic sight and has the Range365 logo on the magwell.
The rifle is topped with a EOTECH Model XPS2 Green holographic sight and has the Range365 logo on the magwell. Cosmo Genova
A closer look at the Stormtrooper’s handguard.
A closer look at the Stormtrooper’s handguard. Cosmo Genova
The pattern of the handguard cuts was continued on the upper receiver with laser etching and highlighted by the Cerakote finish.
The pattern of the handguard cuts was continued on the upper receiver with laser etching and highlighted by the Cerakote finish. Cosmo Genova
The Stormtrooper at the range with its designer and R365 contributor Mike Shea.
The Stormtrooper at the range with its designer and R365 contributor Mike Shea. Cosmo Genova
The man who built the Stormtrooper, Justin Potter, puts the rifle through its paces at the range.
The man who built the Stormtrooper, Justin Potter, puts the rifle through its paces at the range. Cosmo Genova
Shea fires the .223 Wylde Stormtrooper rifle.
Shea fires the .223 Wylde Stormtrooper rifle. Cosmo Genova
The Stormtrooper with its blue and white Range365 themed paint job.
The Stormtrooper with its blue and white Range365 themed paint job. Cosmo Genova
The Lady Luck rifle is chambered in 6mm Creedmoor.
The Lady Luck rifle is chambered in 6mm Creedmoor. Cosmo Genova
The titular “Lady Luck” is on the right side of the Magwell and a subdied R365 logo is at the rear of the handguard.
The titular “Lady Luck” is on the right side of the Magwell and a subdied R365 logo is at the rear of the handguard. Cosmo Genova
This rifle was built specifically for DMR competition shooting inside 800 yards.
This rifle was built specifically for DMR competition shooting inside 800 yards. Cosmo Genova
On the Lady Luck muzzle is the Odin Works Atlas 6.5 Compensator.
On the Lady Luck muzzle is the Odin Works Atlas 6.5 Compensator. Cosmo Genova
A single military style white star with red and blue stripes adorns both sides of the buttstock.
A single military style white star with red and blue stripes adorns both sides of the buttstock. Cosmo Genova
A look at Lady Luck from the front. The Cerakote finish was laser etched to look like the skin of a WWII military aircraft, riverts and all. You can even see a panel on the front of the magwell.
A look at Lady Luck from the front. The Cerakote finish was laser etched to look like the skin of a WWII military aircraft, riverts and all. You can even see a panel on the front of the magwell. Cosmo Genova
The rifle’s name is etched on the left side of the receiver in white script.
The rifle’s name is etched on the left side of the receiver in white script. Cosmo Genova
The stock and pistol grip on Lady Luck are from Magpul.
The stock and pistol grip on Lady Luck are from Magpul. Cosmo Genova
The receivers on all three rifles are from Bushmaster and the rattlesnake logo was retained on Lady Luck, along with the lower specs.
The receivers on all three rifles are from Bushmaster and the rattlesnake logo was retained on Lady Luck, along with the lower specs. Cosmo Genova
A wide shot of Lady Luck.
A wide shot of Lady Luck. Cosmo Genova
A full-rifle shot of Lady Luck.
A full-rifle shot of Lady Luck. Cosmo Genova
A good look at the Odin Works O2 Lite AR10 M-LOK handguard.
A good look at the Odin Works O2 Lite AR10 M-LOK handguard. Cosmo Genova
A full-rifle shot from the other side.
A full-rifle shot from the other side. Cosmo Genova
A closer shot of the left side of the receiver.
A closer shot of the left side of the receiver. Cosmo Genova
Lady Luck at the range before it got its Cerakote finish.
Lady Luck at the range before it got its Cerakote finish. Cosmo Genova
The first test group shot with the Lady Luck 6mm DMR rifle at 100 yards.
The first test group shot with the Lady Luck 6mm DMR rifle at 100 yards. Cosmo Genova
The second test group shot with the Lady Luck 6mm DMR rifle at 100 yards.
The second test group shot with the Lady Luck 6mm DMR rifle at 100 yards. Cosmo Genova
The third test group shot with the Lady Luck 6mm DMR rifle at 100 yards.
The third test group shot with the Lady Luck 6mm DMR rifle at 100 yards. Cosmo Genova
The parts of our original .450 Bushmaster Hunter rifle build, pre-assembly.
The parts of our original .450 Bushmaster Hunter rifle build, pre-assembly. Cosmo Genova
The original .450 Bushmaster build being held by our Cerakote artist Nick Kesselring.
The original .450 Bushmaster build being held by our Cerakote artist Nick Kesselring. The way this handguard attached to the barrel nut was too weak for the cartridges stout recoil and walked off the gun after a few rounds. It was replaced with a Omega Mirage 16.5-inch Carbon Fiber M-LOK handguard. Cosmo Genova
The finished Hunter rifle with the Omega handguard installed and the tiger stripe camo Cerakote finish applied.
The finished Hunter rifle with the Omega handguard installed and the tiger stripe camo Cerakote finish applied. Cosmo Genova
A shot through the foliage. The pistol grip, mag release, safety selector, bolt catch, charging handle, and the cheek riser on the buttstock are done in a Flat Dark Earth color.
A shot through the foliage. The pistol grip, mag release, safety selector, bolt catch, charging handle, and the cheek riser on the buttstock are done in a Flat Dark Earth color. Cosmo Genova
The camouflage design done by Kesselring was inspired by the tiger stripe camo pattern used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.
The camouflage design done by Kesselring was inspired by the tiger stripe camo pattern used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Cosmo Genova
A closer shot of the receiver. The rifle is topped with FAB Defense FBS & RBS folding Iron Sights in these photos. For the 100-yard accuracy tests, the rifle was shot from sandbags and topped with a Nikon Black FX1000 6-24x50 scope.
A closer shot of the receiver. The rifle is topped with FAB Defense FBS & RBS folding Iron Sights in these photos. For the 100-yard accuracy tests, the rifle was shot from sandbags and topped with a Nikon Black FX1000 6-24×50 scope. Cosmo Genova
A shot from the muzzle end of The Hunter rifle.
A shot from the muzzle end of The Hunter rifle. Cosmo Genova
On The Hunter’s muzzle is a Tromix Linear Compensator.
On The Hunter’s muzzle is a Tromix Linear Compensator. Cosmo Genova
A closer shot of the ejection port on The Hunter.
A closer shot of the ejection port on The Hunter. Cosmo Genova
Another muzzle shot of this big bore rifle.
Another muzzle shot of this big bore rifle. Cosmo Genova
A full-rifle shot of The Hunter. It tends to blend in.
A full-rifle shot of The Hunter. It tends to blend in. Cosmo Genova
The Hunter, against a tree in the distance.
The Hunter, against a tree in the distance. Cosmo Genova
Mike Shea firing The Hunter at the range using the FAB Defense irons.
Mike Shea firing The Hunter at the range using the FAB Defense irons. Cosmo Genova
Justin taking his turn with the thumper.
Justin taking his turn with the thumper. Cosmo Genova