Hi, I’m Cory Sementuh and I’m the proud owner and armorer for CDS ARMS / FREEDOM SECURITY. You’re probably reading this because you’re interested in building an AR-15 style rifle/pistol/SBR and want some advice. While this is not a definitive guide, it is a great starting place for the information needed to make good decisions on your AR build. I have learned a ton in my 20+ years in the AR industry and on the innumerable amount of builds, upgrades, modifications and repairs done. Continue reading
ATF Form 1 & Form 4 Trust/Biz Cheat Sheet
** 2022 Edit – The ATF eForms system for eForm 4 has mostly changed this info, but it may still be useful for individual Form 4 transfers that must stay on paper forms for now. **
With the July 13th 2016 ATF rule changes concerning NFA trusts and form submission, here is a reminder on what needs to be done for ATF Forms 1 and 4 submitted by a NFA trust, LLC, corporation or other entity. The NFA Branch is extremely particular on NFA forms and failure to follow all instructions exactly can result in major delays in form processing or denial of forms. Continue reading
Shop Build: Saiga 12 SBS 13″
Here is a Saiga 12 Gauge 13″ short barreled tactical shotgun that has all of the modern touches and ergonomics of the AR platform. This Saiga was first converted from it’s original ‘sporter’ configuration to accept a pistol grip and bolt-on Ace style stocks. 922(r) foreign parts counts are more than satisfied with the plethora of aftermarket parts on this shotgun. Continue reading
Shop Build: Duty / Carry Glock 19
GLOCK Perfection. Need I say more? The Glock 19 is one of the most popular pistols and for a great reason! The Glock 19 Gen 4 is our perfect find for the size, weight, capacity and capability in a pistol. The reasonable price and great availability of magazines and other accessories is the cherry on the top. Continue reading
Shop Build: MK18 AR Carbine
CDS ARMS take on the MK18 platform: This carbine will do it all day and night! Top tier components combine to bring you an AR-15 that is perfect for any mission big or small; from the line of duty, training, range days, or home defense. Full auto, suppressed, night vision compatible, nimble and controllable. Starting with quality receivers, hard use Daniel Defense cold hammer forged barrel, nickel boron bolt carrier group, max suppression by AAC, a dynamite Geissele trigger, quality Aimpoint red dot, and all the bells and whistles make this setup our top pick for the ultimate battle carbine. When quality matters spare no expense and put together your dream carbine. Continue reading
Shop Build: Accuracy Int’l AT 308
Want to really reach out and touch something? Take your average Remington 700 rifle and make it extraordinary with one of the Accuracy International Chassis Systems (AICS). This rifle is a factory Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD 20″ .308 rifle that we upgraded into a highly functional tack driving rifle. Ditching the stock and adding removable mags is one of the best benefits, but the trigger upgrade and other accessories make this rifle my top pick for long range action. Continue reading
Shop Build: 308 AR
Not to be confused with an ‘AR-10’ which is a trademark of Armalite, this 308 caliber platform rifle is based on the SR-25/DPMS design. The biggest benefit is the ability to use the cheap Magpul PMAG magazines and also have a broader selection of parts. This rifle sports an 18″ barrel with silencer which makes it a great setup for work in the field or medium to longer range fun. The optic is a fixed 10x power but swap it out for an adjustable zoom optic for the ability to shoot confidently at most any range under ~800 yards. Continue reading
Firearm Flowchart – What Is It?
Every wonder what ‘kind’ or ‘type’ of firearm/weapon something is? You would be surprised to know that certain items are special considerations and other things aren’t even firearms at all! The ATF formally identifies these ‘types’ of firearms: Continue reading
Mil-Spec VS Commercial Buffer Tubes
AR-15 adjustable buffer tubes (correctly known as ‘receiver extensions’) come in two different sizes. It is important to know which tube you have as this impacts your selection of a buttstock. A mil-spec stock will fit on a commercial tube, but will be wobbly, however a commercial stock will not fit a mil-spec tube at all. Knowing your parts allows you to make the correct choice. Continue reading
NFA Legal Definitions
Ever wonder what makes a machine gun a ‘machine gun’, a short barreled gun a ‘SBR’ or ‘SBS’? What the heck is an ‘AOW’ anyway? The National Firearms Act (NFA) was created back in 1934, and like many laws the implications of the wording don’t always make the most sense. Read on for some simplified explanations. Continue reading
AR versus AK
- Killed Osama bin Laden
- Won the ground war against the Taliban
- Won the ground war against the Iraqi Republican Army
- Won the ground war against the Balkans
- Won the ground war in Kuwait and Iraq against the Iraqi Army
- Won the battle that got Noriega
- Won the ground war in Grenada
- Israel used it against its enemies from the early 70’s to the late 90’s
- Killed a lot more Vietcong than Vietcong killed Americans
How to Check Status on Your NFA Transfer
The ATF NFA Branch allows individuals to check the status on their own transfers. Most commonly this is an ATF Form 4 for an item you have purchased from a dealer such as a silencer, short barreled rifle, short barreled shotgun, or machine gun. The process is quick and easy… Continue reading
AR-15 Calibers
Ever wonder why the AR-15 is such a great platform? The modularity in chamberings and calibers is amazing! Some require a new barrel, bolt, mags, upper, etc, but you can squeeze a ton of different calibers out of an AR-15. Continue reading
What is ‘Mil-Spec’?
When talking AR-15’s, the term ‘mil-spec’ gets thrown around a lot, but what is a ‘military specification’ and what exactly does it mean? Continue reading
AR-15 Upper Receiver Forgings
Ever see the symbols on the side of your AR-15 upper receiver above the forward assist and wonder what they meant? The mark corresponds to which company made the raw aluminum forging that later became the upper receiver. Continue reading
Hunting in PA With a Suppressor?
Did you know that hunting with a suppressor (silencer) is LEGAL in PA!
That’s great news for those that want to protect their hearing, shoot more accurately and exercise their rights to own fun NFA weapons! Get your bolt action suppressed rifle ready for deer season this year! Continue reading
Feed Your AR-15 a Good M.E.A.L.!
What’s the most important way to keep your AR-15 running reliably?
- Magazines
- Extractor
- Ammo
- Lube
Ethnicity & Race According to the ATF
The ATF decided to make some small changes to the form 4473 on July 9th, 2012. This is the form that is filled out when buying any firearm from a dealer. They made things clear on residency rules for non-immigrant aliens, and they also are now collecting more concise information on ‘ethnicity’ & ‘race’. Continue reading