MACON ARMORY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. I want a DI AR-45 in my collection....where do I start?
  The first step is deciding how you want to feed your Macon Armory DI45 upper. Platforms available are the CNC AR-45, the Bazooka Brothers BAR45, and the GWACS defense Cav Arms lower with Hahn Precision magwell adapter. These are all based off the M3 Grease Gun magazine. We have suspended production for QC10 Glock large frame lower due to the necessity of modifying magazines followers for the bolt to cycle over an empty magazine. Solutions are coming.

2. I see you have a blowback series of pistol caliber uppers. Can I get something in other than 45?
  Macon Armory, while known for our DI45 uppers also make blowback conversions. They are available in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. The 9mm uppers we make are compatible with any Colt platform lower and mag combo on the market, as well as the Quarter Circle 10 GSF (Glock Small Frame) lower receivers. Currently we restrict our 40 S&W offering to customers with the Quartercircle 10 lower and Glock 22 magazine. The Blowback 45 is available with a magagwell adapter and magazine combo designed specifically for it and allows its use with any standard AR15 lower receiver, and is also compatible with the Quartercircle 10 GLF lower.

3. I want to run my DI 45 upper on my registered full aut M16 lower.......is this possible?
  Absolutely, originally designed for the Blowback 45, Macon Armory is proud to offer a magazine and adapter combo that is intended for use with a standard lower receiver. It allows use of the standard magazine release, and allows the last round bolt hold open feature of the AR-15/M16 platform to function, allowing seamless transition for the shooter from 5.56 to 45 ACP with no additional training.

4. I live in a ban state.......and can't have magazines larger than 10 rounds, how can I have a Macon Armory 45?
Three options immediately come to mind. One of the grease gun magazine dedicated lowers with magazines cut to 10 round capacity, Quartercircle10 with 10 round glock 21 magazines, or the Macon Armory HK USC magwell adapter and 10 round HK or Promag magazines. If you are in Californina, let us know and well make provision for a CA legal adapter.

5.What buffer spring combination do I need for the 45?
  The DI 45 with a 16 inch barrel is intended to run with a standard carbine spring and buffer....if you wish to use it with a standard A1 or A2 Stock then a spacer 2.7 inches long is required to adapt the carbine spring and buffer to the longer buffer tube. For shorter barrels the standard spring is still a go.....but you will need to remove the weights from the carbine buffer.

6.  I want to build my upper with  (insert brand here) handguard, will you build with this brand or let me install it if you send an upper with no handguard?
   We will work with you to get the upper you want in the configuration you want. Due to the propriatery nature of the DI AR-45 gas system not all handguards are compatible. Generally if the handguard uses a standard GI barrel nut it is compatible....and many that have a manufacturer specific barrel nut will as well with minor modification.

7. I want to build my own...can I purchase just parts?
  For the blowback series absolutely (as soon as we have them in full production).....but for the DI 45 we prefer to assemble and test fire each unit to ensure the best experience for the shooter. Because we are using a caliber that the AR-15 was never intended to run with, in an operating system that many have said is impossible, a certian ammount of hand fitting is required for each DI45 upper causing us to restrict sales to complete units.

8. I don't see what I want among the standard offerings, are custom barrel lengths, muzzle threads, and configurations available?
   Absolutely, we are here to serve the AR-15 community anyway we can. That includes custom builds. If it is physically possible we'll be happy to work with you to help you get the upper you want.

9. I am left handed and want a left handed upper, is this possible?
  Yes, while not a production item we can and have built many left handed AR-45's. Definitely a custom build , we try to minimize the additional cost to the shooter and are able to convert existing 5.56/.223 uppers or build on customer supplied parts. We can also purchase the left hand components, (upper receiver, bolt carrier, and strpped bolt) but these cost us significantly more than a standard right handed upper so this cost must be passed along to the shooter.

The Blowback 45 is still in development for a couple of more months.....the prototype has functioned flawlessly through about 2500 rounds so far...........we are mainly working out the final production of the new magazine.......that will also run with the DI 45 and standard lowers. The first of the production mags for testing should be in my hands by 15 July 2015. We'll get a video up of testing as soon as I have them in hand.....

You did not mention if pistol length / SBR versions would be available.

I have hopes for a 10.2" for SBR + suppressor use.

We offer 8, 11, and 16 inch barrels with the DI upper.....I KNOW we'll have 5 and 16 on the blowback....the intermediate lengths still have to be determined.....I know we'll be making a blowback barrel that will put the muzzle threads outside a 7 inch freefloat, just have to make a few measurements and then do the Solidworks drawing..... and input from the community here is appreciated.

Have had some production issues with the mag......they can't seem to make them to the print I am supposed to have production samples this coming week....as soon as I have them we
ll design the magwell adapter around them...
Rudy

Any updates on the HK USC Magwell adapter availability date and price?

Have a ton of the USC mags and can't wait to get an AR magwell adapter and then make the plunge with one of your pistol uppers!!!

Thanks in advance.

The USC adapter is available as a kit with an 11 inch or longer barrel...it doesn't play well with shorter barrels it is only compatible with the DI upper...........just shoot me an email and we'll get you fixed up.....Currently no plans for a blowback compatible USC adaptor.....perhaps down the road.....

Hey Rudy! What's the ETA on the Blowback .45 parts availability?

Hopefully before Christmas......in final test and eval on the mags and adapter and we are running barrels full time................hope to have production samples of the adapter next week and Production mag the week after.

Hmmm.... Merry Christmas to me, from me? Haha. Glad to hear its coming along well!

Just an update....the Blowback upper is proved and parts are in production.......same with the magwell adapters.....done and production samples run. Mags are almost done.....tweaking the follower .....hope to have the final design finished this week...we are VERY close....
Rudy

Can't wait!!!!

Just wanted to confirm, the standard threads for the .45 barrels are 5/8 x 24?  I have an 8" DI upper.

My 8" DI upper is 5/8x24 and I use a SilenerCo 5/8x24 piston with spacer on my Osprey.

Does it need the spacer or is that to stop the piston?

"Sticky" bolt issue.

So I purchased my DI upper about a year ago. Finally got around to using it (too many projects).

So far I've fired the Winchester USA 230 gr. White Box. Fired about 100 rounds through the upper so far.
Oil/Lube - Slip 2000 EWL
Weapon is not being fired suppressed (YET)

Every 10 to 15 rounds I start having problems. Weapon gets very difficult to charge when the bolt is closed. A very gritty feeling that requires a lot of force to charge. I notice lots of fouling down where the gas goes into the bolt/carrier. Especially right before the gas rings on the firing pin end. It dries out fast (oil burns off and gets build up). Build up seems to be enough that it starts binding up the bolt...making it slow to unlock and causing feeding/cycling problems.

I'm starting out with a clean and oiled weapon every time. I'll fire 10 to 15 rounds and then it goes down hill. Go home. Clean. Next range time. Same thing. Repeat.

I've handled weapons...I know when a weapon fouls...it jams up. Just not consistently after 10 to 15 rounds. Any advise?

Sorry about that.  It is the fixed barrel spacer that replaces the spring.
Attached File

I use 230gr plated reloads with Win231.  I regularly blast through 4 mags without any issue .  I don't clean it every time, just wipe lube and go, probably every 2nd or 3rd outing.

Can you try other ammo?  I have run WWB through my 9mm with no issues.  It has been too long since I shot WWB 45 to recall if I shot it in my AR, but in the 1911, it hasn't been abnormally dirty.

Sorry for the delay in reply....check and see if you have a one piece gas ring on the bolt.......if you do, and even if you don't ....send me your Bolt carrier group and I will replace....we had an issue with bolt carriers from a vendor when we were using the one piece gas rings.....Thought I had got 'em all...   but it would appear I missed yours.

A direct thread mount is also a good option, that's what I use on my 8" upper with an Octane 45HD

Does it use UMP mags since it can use USC mags?

Negative, UMP mag is wider than the magwell......and the USC adapter is discontinued.....we now ship conversions with out new Macon Armory magazine and magwell adapter

Did you ever find a good resolution to this?  I am having the exact same issue.  Have shot many different types of factory ammo, including Federal, Remington, and Fiocci.  I checked the gas rings and it is not a one piece.  Have also tried many different types of lube right at the gas rings.  I can't even get through a 50 round box.

I use Cherry Balmz as a lube.......CLP will just about guarantee that it will lock up .........check the flashpoint of the lube you are using.....low flashpoints that may work in a 5.56 will turn to a gritty sludge in a 45 due to the short gas system. I also dont lube the gas rings......lube the friction points on the carrier.....outside of the gas key, cam pin, rails of the carrier, and the cam pin slot on the carrier......and if this problem is still going on...CALL ME!!!!! If necessary you can send it in and I'll figure out the issue and fix. We regularly run 500+ rounds though my personal guns with out issue.....I've even run 500 rounds of steel case wolf through a 16 inch DI45....
Rudy

This one was a long time coming - I bought the CNC AR45 lower from Justin probably 20 years ago.  And then it sat in my safe.  I was in prison in Illinois and there were just too many hoops to jump through to SBR it.  I moved to SC a few years ago and dusted off all those projects that I was gonna do when I got out of prison.  I called Rudy and ordered up an upper and it arrived a week or two ago.  So today was this first day at the range.  Probably went through 200 rounds and it ran like a top.  I’ll probably put a different optic on it as I have a very low mounted Aimpoint T2 on it now - at the least I need a riser on the scope.  But, all in all, it was a pretty enjoyable day.