Shooters Letters

2 out of 10 National Champions at Camp Perry, 1998 used Arrington Accuracy National Match Service Rifles.

I just wanted to contact you to thank you for the really nice job you did restoring my M1A to NM condition. The week it was in transit seemed like the longest week of my life, like a kid waiting for X-Mass. To say the least when I finally had the rifle in my hands, I was in no way disappointed. Everything looks great. The trigger pull is amazingly crisp. The fit and finish of everything looks really nice. You were right about the stock paint job. First Rate. Thanks for patching up all the holes from the previous 3 lug build. You can’t even tell they were there.

Now my only challenge is getting out to the range to fire it. Unfortunately this year, Pennsylvania February weekend weather has been dismal so far. Looks like rain or snow for the entire upcoming weekend as well. When the weather breaks and I can make it to the range, I’ll let you know how I did. Thanks for enclosing the test target. I look forward to working up some loads to try to tighten this group up a bit more. We’ll see.

P.S. let me know if you change your mind about selling me that extra LRB rear lug receiver you have. I’d love to have you build up another rifle for me.

Phil

You built my AR Upper (Rock River) for me back in early 2010. My name is Steve Sciarabba. I have been completely satisfied with the performance of it. I believe now it needs a barrel change since the last 3 years I have used it extensively in practice and CMP Competition, with well over 5000 rounds put through it in that amount of time. I would need it before the upcoming season (early May starts practice). If I send it out to you can you do a barrel change for me? If so do you still have in stock Kreiger Barrels? Also I am using 80 Grain Hornady Amax bullets at 600, and 77 Grain Sierra Match for 300 yards. What are your thoughts on Douglas Barrels as compared to Kreiger for what type ammo I'm using and the longevity of them?
By the way I became Distinguished in 2011 with your Upper .............Best Regards
Steve S.

Xmas was great Phil!! I have a rifle that has absolutely rendered me speechless - and that is quite a feat!! Best Christmas gift EVER!

My one and only Signature Grade rifle is the best I have ever seen or even handled!! I hated the thought of putting Sure Grip on the stock - but I did, and it shoots like a dream! I was reminiscing and thinking about how we took all of the excuses away from the young shooter with the M21 system. I think that was its designation. It used the M-40 Remington anyway. You have done this again with ser#014xxx. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the rifle will shoot exactly where it is supposed to and that all of the error is on the shooter!! That is when you really start to learn - (again in my case!!)

What is even better is that I know that you do the same to every rifle that you build! It is a real pleasure to know you Phil and I sorely wish that we were closer so that we could swap lies more often!! If we were closer I would have to buy some stock in our beer company! Ha!

By the way, I will hold you to your promise to keep her tightened up!! I plan on taking care with this lady, but will use her too!! Thanks John A.

Phil,
How are you doing?
I am getting the parts together for another M1A build that I would like
you to put together.

Thanks,
Stef B.

P.S. I shot a 1050-31x at Missoula, MT (Palma 1100) last Sept with my M1A you
had re-bedded for me.

Hey Phil, You ain't gettin that upper back!
I bought some 75 gr. Hornady match ammo. (factory ammo) Shoots good. Holds the ten ring with iron sights @ 100 yrds. My gun likes the 69gr Match King/ LC case, CCI primer, 23.5 gr. H335 @ 2.250 OAL. This afternoon at 3pm I fired a 5 shot group that was covered with a dime. My friend Jim F. (NRA hi-master, distingushed rifle) Shot a clean target & duplicated that group. Thanx for your work. its a Major difference from the old Colt barrelled upper.
Msgt Harold M. USAF retired Distinguished Rifleman Small Arms Expert NRA Certified Instructor Kansas CCL Instructor

Good Morning Phillip,

Yes, I did receive my M1, and usually I am very talkative, but ever since Friday when I got my NM M1, I have been at a loss for words. Seriously.

You know that you have raised the bar. My new rifle far exceeded my expectations and that is not easy as my standards and expectations are very high when it comes to my match rifles. You state on your website that 'if I can shoot my rifle as good as it looks, I will be doing good!' My scores were in the 97 - 98% range, but your rifle is far better than that! I didn't anticipate how the finish and the (unexpected) laminated stock would complement each other - but they really do!! ... and I'm still talking about how it LOOKS!!

The fit is phenomenal, but I expected that based on my J C Garand M1. The trigger is sharp and crisp, on both rifles, just like they are supposed to be. There is no slack in the action and lockup. It is tighter than any rifle that I have ever had. (Except my J C M1!)

Having a 1/2" group at 100 yards eliminates the cone! Having the laminated stock eliminates the concern for shooting in the rain! ... not that I will ever have to do that anymore and the sling just sets it off.

This rifle is better than First Class - all the way. I am glad that I followed your advice, you did well.

I have never had a rifle as good as this!!

Seriously, Thank you Phil.

John T.

Good Morning Phil!

I have a brand new M1 and it is gorgeous!! WOW!!
I have NEVER felt an action as smooth and as tight - ever. It is amazing - You do outstanding work.
Just to let you know, I selected you because of your history and training with a military MTU armorer. You learned well and I am very pleased with your work. I can hardly wait until I can get to the range and actually try it out. There is no doubt in my mind that your rifle will shoot better than I can!
I have Nellie's rifle that I want to send to you. Nelson was a retired marine armorer and he built rifles like you do. My first gas gun was a Glen Nelson built rifle. It survived my attempts at High Power, my son's fledgling attempts at High Power and numerous young shooters (North Carolina Junior High Power) had their first experience with it as well.
It is time to rebuild it and make it even better.
Thank you Phil, you have given me much more than a new M1.
John T.

I really like your NM A2 sight you sent me. It only took me about 20 minutes to install it. The front fits so close to the front of the receiver that I didn’t even need to install the detent ball or spring. But, my question is, should I have installed the detent ball and spring? Thanks…….Jay
Jay B.
Texas

Answer; NO ! Jay, if it fits that well the spring and detent ball would just help wear out the aluminum recv'r where it rides against the elevation shank threads. Good Going ! thanks Phil Am Shooters

Phil, On Saturday, I took my M1A to the Spring Lake, NC local service rifle match...which was the first time I fired it...earning me an UNSAT for pre-combat inspections! However, the match director gave several of us a few minutes to zero before starting the match, so I made the necessary adjustments and was off to the races. I shot a 448-7x on the 200 yard reduced NRA course, which was good enough to take #4 of the 15 or 16 shooters (behind the two guys firing space guns and one other; not sure what the 3d guy was shooting). Thanks for building such an accurate rifle, which is truly fun to fire!

If I'd remembered to take a click or two of Left correction for sitting, I'd have done even better...

Mr. Arrington, I took the M1917 to the range. I was shooting at 100 yards.I used a standard NRA size target for 100 yards. My first round was high, above the target. I made a minor adjustment on rear sight. The second round was below the target ( I over compensated.) The third round was "DEAD BULLSEYE !"WOW! From then on most of the shots were in the 9 and 10 ring, and many in bullseye. I could not believe the accuracy. I was using the Civilian Marksmanship Greek ammunition. I had to E-Mail you and thank you for the great job you did rebarreling my M1917.It has become my new favorite rifle. Thank you so very much! I hope that you and your wife have a great upcoming holiday season. Thank you again. David L. Hunter

Phil,

The national match trigger job was great! I just got back from the range and I put in a five inch group at 100 yards. It's been over six months since I have been to the range with this rifle. I had no idea how rough it was before you worked on it. Now it's just a smooth little pull...resistance and bang! I am gonna like this.
Great Job! Thank You!

Hi Phil, Finally got some photos of me shooting the Garand. It great! Really enjoyed shooting it and look forward to getting into a competition with it.

Phil, I'm sorry this email cones so late after the stock arrived. It's Frickin outstanding !!! In fact I took it out tonight for a maiden Hog hunt! I took one one the run at roughly 250yds!!! Thank you for all of your time and hard work!!! I will defintely recommend your services to anyone

that asks about the colapseable m1a stock!!! Thank you sir, Lance Hobbs OIF/OEF Vet

Sent: Wed, Jan 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Subject: Hooded rear sight

Phil:  you put a hooded rear sight on my Armalite M-15 last Saturday at your

home.  I shot it in a match on Sunday.  I thought I'd have to make some

adjustments, but boy, was I surprised.  My first sighter round was an almost

perfect X from the prone position!  I ended up shooting 455-7X, and this was

only my second competition ever!  I was shocked to say the least.  Thanks again

for your help and the tips you gave me, especially "putting your nose on the

charging handle" to get a consistent sight picture.

Regards,

Bill Wornick

Phil, received rifle yesterday. Looks grreat!....almost too good to shoot. Thanks a bunch!

Hi Phil,
I just finished the last match of the year with the 03-A3 you built me. It shoots great getting me a Gold Medal at Camp Perry and a score of "100-7X" in slow fire prone at a local match. Thanks for a great rifle. The trigger probably needs a little work before next season. It took the armorer at Perry 10 minuets and multiple tries to get it to hold the weight. Wayne

Thank you for getting back to me so soon. After a season of shooting, it is necessary up here to dismantle a gas gun completely and clean it. If you don't, parts will start rusting up here. For me, the only thing that remains untouched is the gas cylinder - I never take it off. That said, I shall heed your advice and leave the lock screw in place. I should add that the SS Krieger barrel cleans up extremely easily. I don't have the advantage of your nice dry desert air.
Best regards, Tom

Mr Arrington, Earlier this year you completed a match M 1 Garand for me, and I had the rifle out on the 600 yd range. It is scary accurate. Regards, Tom Kersten

Hello Phil. Back in January you built a Rock River AR15 for me. It performed excellent for me this season. My name is Steve Sciarabba. Question for you though. What ammo would you recommend using at 600 yards based on the barrel twist and specifications you built for me? Currently I have been using Hornady A-Max 80 grain. Based on the barrel and twist do you think thats a good choice for 600 yards? Also how many rounds should I fire through it before it needs to be replaced? I shot about 1000 rounds through it this season. Finally we have Hart Barrels in my hometown here, what do you think of them versus Kreiger?..........................
Thanks again for all your help and expertise this season on the rifle...........Steve Sciarabba

I am very happy with the Rock River rifle and Kreiger barrel so far. In fact I ended up taking 1st Place in New York State for the 300 yard string this year at the State Championships using your service rifle, even beating the big boys with their Match Guns.............Steve

Hi Phil,

I want to take the time and thank you for working on my rifle on Memorial Day. Today I placed 2^nd in the Joe Foss Range CMP Match with a score of 458X6. The First place winner shot a 458X16. When the handed out the certificates, the Match Director did recognize that I was shooting a M1 Garand which scores higher the AR-15 rifles and that you had worked on the rifle for me. The winner was shooting a M1A1 match rifle. The AR’s did not stand a chance today.

Thanks again. I’m practicing for the Western Games on October 16^thnow. I will shoot this rifle in a match every day with the exception of Thursday. I’m looking forward to talking with you again soon.

Jessy Summers

From: KRMitchell <mitchellkr@gmail.com>
To: ArAccuracy@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Sep 16, 2010 7:17 pm
Subject: New Mexico Range Report...

This is truly the Land of Enchantment. Once again a great day on the range this morning, with clear and beautiful Blue skies with very few white clouds around the Santa Fe and Sandia Mountains, Temp 76.2 - 78.0 °F, wind at 6.0-11.2 MPH right out of the Northeast, humidity high at 48%, elevation on range is 5,928 feet. I brought out my NM M1A. I have spent three trips to the rifle range in the past several weeks to break-in my new NM Krieger barrel. I was able to sight it in this morning. I started off with my old friend Radway Green military surplus from 1995. Headstamp L2A2 NATO cross 95 RG... The final test would be with Lake City 7.62 mm Match XM118 from 1965, lot # 12044, with the 173 grain bullets.

This is the same Radway Green that has been on the internet for the past 12 months, the bandoleers are made out of plastic, with five pockets, with Velcro tabs on each pocket, 15 rounds per pocket, 75 rounds per bandoleer.

The NRA's 50th National Police Shooting Championship (NPSC) is being held on the next range over from us this morning, in fact, they are here the entire week, competitors from around the regent are here in Albuquerque this week.

Standard 100 yard range target, using only my good eye.

Well the first target was a 50-5X with average of 0.858" MOA. Headstamp L2A2 NATO cross 95 RG , bright shiny clean brass, 5 rounds only.
2nd target a little better with a 100-10X with average of 0.774" MOA. Lake City 7.62 mm Match XM118 from 1965 lot # 12044, clean bright shiny brass, 10 rounds only.
Then I shifted to the 220 yard targets, 10 of 10 hits on the metal Gong, Lake City 7.62 mm Match XM118 from 1965 lot # 12044, clean bright shiny brass.
Then I moved over onto the 560 yard target, still using the Lake City MSA from '95, I hit 10 out of 10 on the metal Gong in a row.
Oh by the way.....the 7.62 rounds hitting those metal targets at that range sure makes a great "THUD" to hear?

This day was my best ever on the rifle range with the Radway Green and the M118 Lake City Match surplus ammunition, Oh yeah, I stopped at Bob's Burgers and I had a large double green chile Ranchero burger on the way home.

I would like to thank Phil Arrington (In the Phoenix area) for rebarreling my rifle and getting it back together in such great shape for me, the man's a genies with M14's. I would also like to thank Trung Si, for talking with me and steering me in the right direction on the NM barrel design that I needed. Finally, I would like to thank the Group Buy with 82nd ABN for the Krieger NM Barrels listing.

Phil

Just a note to say I got 1 coat of Tru Oil on the Garand stock, I got from you. You were not kidding, the wood is beautiful. I thank you very much for a top notch product. I will keep you in mind for my next stock.

Ron

Phil, I got my M1 back last week, but didn't get to shoot it until this morning. I went through 50 rounds rapid fire sitting and prone without a hitch, and every shot -barring the two 9s I pulled -- went into the 10 or X-ring.

Many thanks! Remember Texas has a regional match and a State match before Perry, but if you don't make them, I'll see you on commercial row.

Again, Thanks! Jim Booker

Phil,
Just wanted to say once again what a fine craftsman you are. The 1903a3 you reconditioned for me help me receive a gold medal at Camp Perry this year. I appreciate the excellent work you do.

Thanks,
B. Gildea

Mr. Arrington,

I'd just like to thank you for the fine accurizing work you did to my M14 a couple months ago.

I shot a 4-shot group at 100 yards that measured 0.318, outside to outside, including bullet diamter. It was a five shot string and I went down range only to find 2 holes in the paper (I boogered up the 5th shot, knowing I had pulled it down and to the right).

At first I assumed I had completely missed the paper, then noticed one hole was ever so slightly larger than the other. It showed just the hints of burn and tear from 3 other impacts.

I don't normally shoot like that and this was a fluke group for my current skill level, but you do quality work sir and I'm grateful for it.

Regards,

Kelly Connor

Hi Phil, Just a quick note to let you know that after 8 years of shooting the M1A that you built for me, I finally earned my rifle distinguished badge at the Navy Fleet/All-Navy matches! I had a personal goal to leg out with the M1A even though it repeatedly was the boss during rapid-fire sitting! Thank you for all the support over the years. Look forward to many more. Regards, LT Vincent Jansen US Coast Guard Sector San Diego

Phil, You finished rebuilding my M1 Garand about 12 years ago. I had already had a .308 heavy contour Douglas ultra-match barrel, op-rod fit, NM trigger, and re-parkerized metal done by Springfield Armory prior to your working on my rifle, SA #3718193. Subsequently, you metal epoxy bedded a laminated wood stock, added NM sights front and rear, and did a checkout and overall fit. I have sent 4,000+ .308 rounds down range since that time, 80% of which were match hand loads. Man, what a superb rifle and experience this has been. If I had only one rifle, this is the one I would take with me! On many occasions at the Zia Range south of Albuquerque, NM, I have had WWII and Korean vets (and others) approach me to admire this beautiful Garand. I encourage them to shoot this old comrade of theirs. One +70 year old guy just busted out in tears when he held this rifle, and said it had "saved my ass" more times than I knew. Thanx again for a great rifle, Wayne Lawson gorgeguy@msn.com<mailto:gorgeguy@msn.com>

Mr. Arrington,

this is Ted Potter. I recently bought a rifle that you built for me, and I just wanted to say thank you very much. I've been shooting it a fair amount, and it's quickly become my favorite rifle, let alone favorite possession I currently own. I haven't really pulled it out past 200 yards, just because I'm trying to get a comfortable feeling with it at 100 and 200 yards. I really want to learn how these rifles work, and I'm beginning to gain a better grasp in operating it. I just had one question, and it's kind of been frustrating me, and I know that you'd be able to help me out. I'm trying to compile the MOA calculations for elevation and windage, and I've been having some trouble. I'm assuming that you put a 1/2 MOA adjustment rear sight on the rifle (versus a 1/4moa), but I totally forgot, which, as you know, doesn't help me any haha. If you could let me know, that'd be great, and I'd feel a hell of a lot more confident in making the adjustments. Once again, Thanks a lot, and I do truly love this rifle, it really is a work of art, and I'm glad I've gotten into this style of shooting.

Thanks a lot,

Ted Potter

Phil,
You are a magician! Not a gunsmith. not a metal working engineer guy. A Magician. That RRA .223 is the best shooting, never-fail-to-cycle rifle I have ever seen, Somethin' else, I tell ya... Oh, and by the way, it shoots a lot better than I EVER will!.

Hope you're having a good summer. We're trying to stay cool.

Brent

Phil,

Good day to you. It has been a few years since we have been in touch, but my next PCS move has me driving through AZ and I don't want to miss the opportunity to have the M1A you built for me looked at. I went distinguished pistol in summer '04 and have only 6 points left for rifle. I have earned all 24 with your M1A and I plan on finishing off that way too. Most likely PACFLeets in '06. I am PCSing to Coast Guard Air Station San Diego so Pendleton is just around the corner.

Will you be in town for me to drop off a gun sometime 9-11 December? That's when I think I'll be rolling through AZ. I'm not sure what needs to be done, if anything, I'll leave that up to you. Thank you,

Regards,

LTJG Vincent Jansen

c: 702-219-4118

Subject: WE GOT A WINNER!!

Jeff…just in case you didn’t hear, Dennis DeMille is the 2005 National HighPower Champion, shooting a 2385-119X to win it. He is also the Match Rifle Champion and the Civilian Champion. He also won the Nevada Trophy with a 798-39X, the Navy cup with a 199-7X, took third in the Army Cup with a 200-12X, third in the Crescent Cup with a 193-7, second in the Coast Artillery Trophy with a 200-14X and third in the McCann Trophy match with a 1197-57X. Norm Houle took second with a 2383-119X and David Tubb was third with a 2376-123X.

Thought might you want to put this on the club website for all to hear and enjoy.

A number of club shoot regulars also faired well there, to mention: Ron Shaefer, Mike Barranco and Mike Miller.

All results can be seen on the NRA website. Click on to competitions and select the rifle and pistol championship icon.

Phil,

JUST WANTED TO DROP YOU A LINE ABOUT THE GREAT JOB YOU DID ON THE RIFLE YOU BUILT FOR ME. IT LOOKS GOOD AND SHOOTS BETTER.

MY WIFE SAYS IT SHOULD BE HANGING ON THE WALL AND NOT IN THE GUN SAFE (HIGH PRAISE FROM A WOMAN WITH ZERO INTEREST IN GUN STUFF).

ALWAYS DRAWS COMMENTS AND A CROWD WHEN AT THE RANGE. I LET THE R.O. SHOOT IT THE LAST TIME I HAD IT OUT. HE WAS SHOOTING A SCOPED BOLT GUN. HE SHOT A CLIP THROUGH IT AT HIS TARGET AND THEN WENT AND LOOKED AT IT THROUGH HIS SPOTTING SCOPE. HE CAME BACK AND SAID HE SHOOTS BETTER WITH MY GARAND THAN HE DOES WITH HIS BOLT GUN! AS I WAS LEAVING HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD TO GET HIM A GARAND OF HIS OWN! THANKS FOR THE GREAT JOB AND THE TIME YOU SPENT WITH ME AT THE START OF THE PROJECT! THANKS, MAURY SWISHER

From: goodwin.sk@verizon.net (Steve Goodwin)
To: ArAccuracy@aol.com

Phil, a few months ago you did some accuracy on a Garand of mine. I want to let you know how well it is shooting. Off the bench at 100 yards, I am popping 147gr ball bullets into a circle about the size of a quarter. It's a treat to shoot such a well-tuned piece.
Thanks!

Steve Goodwin

Phil,
    I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you, but my schedule and the schedule of the ROTC NCO just did not match for a while. Here is a picture of the stocks as they are now, still in the white. They have been stripped, sanded, bleached and then sanded again. We are deciding whether to use a hard poly finish, or a hand rubbed bees-wax. We still have to work on the hand guards. Our problem right now is that the Air Force, to make sure these were never used as a rifle again, not only put a rod in the bore and welded, and put a bead over the bolt face; they also filled in the op rod dismount notch, and welded the gas cylinder screw in place, so we can't get the upper hand guard off, so we are going to have to try and sand them in place. It will be a challenge. I watched the young men practice today, and saw one missed catch, and the stock became firewood. It was one that was cracked already, but this time it went into four seperate pieces. When the team starts competing this year, I'll try and get some pictures and let you see how thye look. Thanks again for the stocks you provided, and any more you can give us (after watching them today, I'm afraid I may need a dozen, rather than
a half dozen!)
Any hand guards you could spare would also be greatly appreciated. Since I messed around long enough for school to start again, anything can be sent to the Detachment at the school. That address is:                     Col. Dan Crum
                    Klein Collins High School
                    20811 Ella Blvd.
                    Spring, Texas 77388

Hi Phil:

I just wanted complement you on your work. I took the M1A to the club this
past Sunday for the second time and shot several magnificent groups, (< 0.5"
at 100yds) using the ammo loaded for my 40X. The trigger work you did is
tremendous and has caused serve envy amongst my friends at the club.

Yesterday I started creating specific loads for the rifle in hope of getting
a repeatable one holer.

Best regards,

Trevor