We are building an AR15 - One Schmeisser, please!

When was the last time you were invited to "build a rifle"? Far too rare, we think ... Markus Königsberger is a seasoned IPSC shooter, gun enthusiast, and Schmeisser representative in Austria. It is clear that he stands by the brand: completely. That the Schmeisser brand supports him: fantastic. Markus was invited to the Schmeisser headquarters in Krefeld to build his own sports equipment. Together with a Schmeisser technician, a unique original was created in a day of handicraft work.

But that's not all: Markus was also trained as a certified Schmeisser Armorer, making him the first in Austria. He will also be responsible for training other Schmeisser Armorers. Here the boss himself welcomes him: Thomas Hoff is delighted with Markus' visit to Krefeld. He is wearing the right T-shirt, with the Schmeisser logo prominently in the background. Of course! Markus and Thomas are connected not only by business but also by a true friendship. This beauty is the reason for the visit. A genuine Schmeisser, individually configured and in a color that was introduced at IWA 2017. We find "Thunder" very appealing. But that is not the criterion: the sports shooter has chosen a barrel length of 16.75 inches for this model AR15 M5 Dynamic L in the Austria version.

The slim Free Float Handguard, thanks to KeyMod, allows easy, elegant attachment of various accessories. A lightweight skeleton stock from Toni System with a soft neoprene pad complements his Schmeisser AR15. The right tool is half the work. During assembly, it is extremely helpful and ensures a perfect result, a weapon where everything fits and holds. Every beginning is the upper. It is clamped into a vise here with a special holder, then the individual project can begin. "Working with professionals": this dream came true at Schmeisser on this day ... The first spring in this gun clock is the Forward Assist. The expert explains the little tricks - and where and how to lubricate correctly. The first pin on the AR15 attaches the Forward Assist. Let the games begin ...Then the dust cover is raised over the ejection port and the assembly is switched. A special part in the housing prevents it from being crushed or twisted. Then the barrel can be attached. But for us, this is more work than for German shooters. Because the gun is an Austrian version, which differs from the German version in a few peculiarities: two pins that have to be set manually, and cutting off a bolt from the bolt closure.

Why? The legislator wants it that way ... (and because German weapons do not have this, they are incidentally considered "war material" in Austria, which is a nasty trap for unknowing sports shooters). This extra effort is also the reason why a Schmeisser rifle costs more in Austria than in Germany. UPDATE: Since December 14, 2019, a new firearms law has been in effect in Austria. An Austrian version is no longer required, and German weapons are now also legal in Austria. But with the right bore, everything comes together ... ... and the technician strongly tightens here, so that the freewheeling 16.75 inch Schmeisser barrel is solidly seated in the upper. An interim torque check is carried out. And now it's time for the small parts that will be installed in this AR15 system.

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